A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of interviewing Francine "Frankie" Williams, the owner of Toad Hollow Vineyards in Healdsburg, California. Our conversation was not only about wine, but also about life and business. Much too much for just one column. So this week, a bit about the fabulous Toad Hollow label.

"My late husband Todd was nicknamed "Toad" from a little boy so everyone knew him as "toad"," says Williams. She and husband Todd owned an iconic restaurant/bar in San Francisco, called Toad Manor as well as the legendary "Whiskey River Inn" in the Sierra Foothills. When they made the move from the city to wine country in the mid 80's, it seemed natural to bring the name as well.

"When we needed a label for our wines, my husband described what he wanted to this young woman who was doing designs for children's books." They sat at the bar of their restaurant, and on a napkin, the woman drew the character that her husband Todd described. "He saw it and said, yes, that is what I want!".

The cartoonish Toad has evolved since its inception in 1994. And survived the "critter creep".

"We got lumped in with that a bit as people didn't realize, ok this is a toad, but it is based on a PERSON", says Williams. See the "refining" of the toad at www.toadhollow.com

2012 Erik's The Red Proprietary Red Wine - lush, smooth, fun red blend. Enticing aromas and flavors of black berry, plum and black cherry make this easy drinking yet full bodied wine hard to put down. Screw cap also has fun frog on the top. Pair with burgers, pizza, and friends. This could be the good time bottle of Spring.