Vindicta Estate
Vindicta Estate is more than a vineyard — it’s the realization of a dream, a story of reinvention, and a tribute to dedication. Founded by husband-and-wife team Al and Sonia Franklin, their journey into winemaking began not in the vineyards, but in the unexpected.
After successful careers in healthcare finance and living across the country, they discovered a true sense of home and community in Napa Valley. It all started with a joke — Sonia and a colleague once intercepted one of Al’s regular wine shipments and replaced it with a giant bottle of beer and a pack of cigarettes, complete with tasting notes. That playful moment sparked a curiosity, which quickly grew into a passion, and eventually, a life-changing pursuit.
They searched up and down Napa Valley for the right place, and when they found this 12-acre property — perched on the border of Napa Valley and Sonoma County, with stunning views of Mount Saint Helena — they knew it was the one. In one of their first visits, they found a large stone engraved with 1914, its origin unknown — a mystery that inspired the first name of the vineyard: Mystery 1914.
As their vision deepened and the wine began to speak for itself, so did the name. They chose to rename our winery Vindicta Estate. They were drawn to the word Vengeance — not in the sense of retaliation, but as a philosophy: whatever you do, do it with a vengeance. Give it everything you have. While that name was already taken, they found something better: Vindicta — Latin for vengeance. It also offered a beautiful play on words: Vin (Latin for wine) and Dicta (loosely translated as sayings or statements). The combination speaks to the mission — Vindicta Estate: the voice, the message, and the expression of wine.
The journey hasn’t been easy. They immersed themselves in the art and science of winemaking, learning everything from grape growing and terroir management to cellar work and blending. With guidance from seasoned experts, certification from the UC Davis winemaking program, and top-tier support from renowned winemaker Julien Fayard and Hardin Vineyard Management, they’ve built something to be proud of.
At Vindicta Estate, the goal is simple: to produce a premium wine that reflects the depth of the land, the strength of intention, and the beauty of expression. With each bottle, they honor the past, celebrate the present, and toast to the future.