The Father. The Legend. The Wine.
Introducing the 2025 Cabernet Franc from Vino Olivo
After a year and a half in the making, I’m delighted to introduce our 2025 Cabernet Franc. And I couldn’t be happier with the results. I think it’s an amazing wine. Well balanced, luscious, and wonderful on the palate. The kind of wine that makes you think, ‘Can you top up my glass? Um, again, please!’
Wait, wait, wait. So this is Cabernet Sauvignon?
NO! Cabernet Franc.
Um, what’s the difference?
Well, Cabernet Franc is the father of its famous son. The mother is a white grape, Sauvignon Blanc (our Sauvignon Blanc is wonderful, too, but that’s another story). Cabernet Sauvignon is thought to have originated naturally in Bordeaux in the 17th century, when these two grapes crossed.
But this conversation is about the father, Cabernet Franc.
And here’s the thing: Cabernet Franc has spent a long time living in the shadow of its more famous offspring. Cabernet Sauvignon gets the headlines, the big scores, and the attention of wine drinkers around the world. Meanwhile, Cabernet Franc has been quietly producing some exceptional wines of its own.
I think it’s time we gave it a little more attention.
Cabernet Franc is a fascinating grape. It can be elegant without being thin, rich without being heavy, and complex without demanding that you spend the entire evening analyzing what’s in your glass. Depending on where it’s grown and how it’s made, you might find red berries, dark fruit, fresh herbs, spice, and earthy notes.
But enough about the grape. Let’s talk about our wine.
Here in Contra Costa County, at Vino Olivo, we’ve taken this wonderful grape and crafted a velvety-smooth wine that showcases everything we love about Cabernet Franc. Beautiful aromas of ripe plum, blackberry, and violet lead into a silky, medium-bodied palate of dark fruit, with a subtle touch of vanilla adding complexity. The fine, polished tannins provide just the right structure, while the fruit lingers on the finish.
You know the kind of wine I’m talking about. The kind where you take a sip, pause for a moment, and think, “That’s really good.” Then you take another sip. And another.
Of course, Cabernet Franc can be a serious wine, too. It has a long history in Bordeaux and the Loire Valley and can develop beautiful complexity with age. It’s also an important component of some of the world’s most respected red wines.
But for me, the real test is simpler: Do I want another glass?
With this one, the answer is a resounding yes.
So, if you’ve always reached for Cabernet Sauvignon, I encourage you to give our 2025 Cabernet Franc a try. You might just discover a new favorite. And if you’re already a fan, well, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Cabernet Franc doesn’t need to live in the shadow of another wine. It has its own personality, its own charm, and certainly stands well on its own.
Come discover what we’re doing with it here at Vino Olivo, in Contra Costa County!
Just one warning: You might find yourself asking for a top-up!
2025 Cabernet Franc | Wine Details
- Harvest Date: August 20, 2025
- Harvest Brix: 26°
- Final pH: 3.72
- Total Acidity (TA): 6.0 g/L
- Oak Aging: 12 months in French oak barrels — 40% new oak and 60% one-year-old oak.
