Toad Hollow Vineyards Merlot Russian River Valley
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Todd “Dr. Toad” Williams, our friend and founder, always managed to bring laughter and vitality to our daily life at Toad Hollow. His passion for wine and vision of “wine for the masses” led him, with his wife Francine and his good friend and colleague Rod Strong, to create this winery in 1993. Todd’s big arms embraced everyone he met and his magnanimous nature created lasting friendships. Williams' larger-than-life personality could be counted on to fill a room. At times, Todd was described as a hell-raiser but never lost the hard work ethic and Southern manners he learned as a boy growing up in rural Versailles, Kentucky. He was an extraordinary man - kind but outgoing and very much a people person. Todd, like Mark Twain, never worried about letting the truth get in the way of a good story. His storytelling gave him the ability to attract unusual people. It was often said of Todd that he never met a stranger. Todd got into the wine business after years of having owned bars and restaurants all over the country, because he felt that too many people were intimidated by wine. His mission was to strip away the mystique and make wine inclusive. Todd believed that wine should a part of people's everyday lives, not just something that was celebratory. He believed that wine should be fun and he loved sharing that experience with everyone he met. With Francine (Frankie) now at the helm, we’re keeping Todd’s philosophy alive by continuing to produce wines at reasonable prices, while making sure fun is at the brand’s core.