Planted in the 1970s, Sycamore Vineyard in the Rutherford AVA is a slice of Napa Valley unlike any other and an intrinsic part of Freemark Abbey's history.
On her winery office wall, Kristy Melton keeps a large black-and-white photograph. The blow-up is a reproduction of a nearly 130-year-old picture of Josephine Tychson, founder of the St. Helena property that would eventually become Freemark Abbey winery. That photo of Josephine isn’t just for decoration. “It reminds me of all of the hard work that went into this place getting to where it is today. It's no small notion, the history of the winery or taking over at this point. And that is by no means lost on me.”
When Ted Edwards was offered the head winemaker job at Freemark Abbey 35 years ago, Napa Valley was on its ascent to becoming a world-class wine region. As Kristy Melton takes the helm of Freemark Abbey, now an established Napa Valley icon located in one of the most idyllic growing regions in the country, she faces new challenges like navigating harvest in the midst of a global pandemic. Though the times may be different, Ted and Kristy share a genuine passion for winemaking, a requisite for bearing the badge of Freemark Abbey Head Winemaker.
Wait, there's a time capsule? Part two of our historical series features memories of long-time Freemark Abbey veteran, Sue Cottrell, who reminisces of the times spent with the seven partners who brought Freemark Abbey back to life in the late 60s and 70s.
In part one of our historical series on Freemark Abbey, we explore the beginnings of Freemark in the late 1800s when it was owned by Josephine Tychson, and later Antonio Forni, to its revival after the fall of Prohibition.
In our second edition of our Wine Collector Series, we're getting to know Rob and Mindy Albright — Napa Valley Cabernet enthusiasts and Freemark Abbey Wine Club Members from the up-and-coming town of Overland Park, KS.
Wine Collector and Mojo Media Labs CEO Mike Rose explores his drive to constantly improve and how specific Freemark Abbey vintages remind him of obstacles he's overcome.
