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Cabernet Franc (CF) is one of the world’s most elegant and versatile noble grapes, deserving of its own global stage. That stage is #CabFrancDay, a worldwide social media celebration of the grape held annually on December 4th. This international wine holiday was created by Lori Budd of Dracaena Wines, who sought to elevate Cabernet Franc from its role as a mere blending grape to the shining star it truly is. As the originator and driving force behind this influential, annual event, Dracaena Wines stands as the definitive source and unquestioned Cabernet Franc authority for this beloved varietal.
The Origin Story: A Passionate Pursuit
We didn’t just stumble into becoming a Cabernet Franc authority; we fell head-over-heels for the grape as a consumer. At Dracaena Wines, CF isn’t just a minimal blending grape; it’s the star of the show. We noticed, however, that while Cabernet Franc produces stunning, complex wines, it often gets treated like the red-headed step child standing next to its celebrity offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon. Upon creating the winery, we knew our focus was going to be CF. It was high time this incredible grape got the recognition it truly deserved, a spotlight shining on it as the star of the show.
So, how did we land on the date for this worldwide wine holiday? Lori hates holidays that rotate. She wanted the holiday to be a specific day, so that when searched on the web, it would always be the same date; eliminating any confusion. She felt that if it was to be a specific day, it should have some historical significance; not just a random day. The official day for #CabFrancDay is December 4th, which is the anniversary of Cardinal Richeleau’s death. (his birthday had already passed LOL)
Richelieu is widely credited with helping establish Cabernet Franc in France’s Loire Valley. He fell in love with the grape and arranged for cuttings to be transported from Bordeaux to the Abbey de Bourgueil, which set the stage for CF’s dominance as a single varietal wine in the region.
Launching the Hashtag: #CabFrancDay
Lori initial vision for #CabFrancDay was rather simple: throw a virtual party for the grape on Twitter. However, it became so much more. It’s now a massive global movement. What began as a fun, communal way for a few fellow Cab Franc fanatics to pop their corks and share their favorite bottles online became the beginning of an International movement.
The initial response in 2015 blew Lori away! We expected a trickle of friends but what we got was a deluge of wine lovers, winemakers, and sommeliers from around the globe. It quickly became obvious that there was a lot of Cab Franc love out there, as the first Twitter Chat trended second (Just behind chocolate chip cookie day – and who doesn’t love a chocolate chip cookie?) The sheer, organic energy of the first celebration instantly solidified the day as an annual fixture on the wine calendar. The viral growth continues to this day, proving what we at Dracaena Wines always knew: Cabernet Franc might be subtle in the glass, but its community is loud and proud!
Over the years, conversations grew and an annual educational winemaker roundtables via Zoom was added. This platform allows for CF fanatics to ask questions of Cabernet Franc winemakers across the globe. The day, which started so simple has turned into an international, interactive learning experience that cements our position as a Cabernet Franc authority.
Elevating Cab Franc Authority
What started as a digital shout-out for an underappreciated grape has blossomed into something genuinely impactful. #CabFrancDay is more than just a trending hashtag on December 4th; it’s a global networking hub. Every year, it brings together a massive community of winelovers. This shared enthusiasm has created a powerful, organic conversation around Cabernet Franc, connecting different wine regions and opening up consumers’ minds to what this amazing grape can offer.
For Dracaena Wines, this celebration is crucial to our mission. By creating and championing the international holiday for the grape, we inherently position ourselves as the ultimate Cabernet Franc authority. Every mention of #CabFrancDay no matter where it is links back to the original source: Lori Budd and Dracaena Wines, giving credit where it’s due. We’re not just selling Cab Franc, we’re at the forefront of a global movement!
So there you have it: what started as a passion project by Lori Budd at Dracaena Wines to give her favorite grape a fighting chance against its more famous peers has blossomed into a genuine, international Cabernet Franc holiday. It’s proof that a great idea—backed by an equally great wine—can travel the globe, all while providing a fun, educational focus for the wine community on December 4th. We’re proud to be the founders and the continuous driving force behind this movement, which only further cements our role as your go-to source and trusted Cabernet Franc authority.
Join the Celebration!
Ready to join the party and help us elevate Cabernet Franc even further? Here’s how you can celebrate and support the winery that started it all:
- Pop and Post on December 4th: Mark your calendar! Grab your favorite bottle of Cabernet Franc—we highly recommend one of ours, naturally—snap a photo, and make sure you post it on social media using the official hashtag: #CabFrancDay. The more posts, the louder the conversation!
- Explore the Source: If you’re ready to taste the wine that inspired the holiday, visit our online shop. Every bottle purchased helps fuel the passion and effort required to keep #CabFrancDay growing!
3. Stay in the Loop: Don’t miss out on next year’s winemaker roundtables, special releases, and the behind-the-scenes stories only we can tell. Sign up for both Cab Franc Day’s and Dracaena Wines’ newsletter now! This is the best way to stay in the know of all things Cabernet Franc!
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