In this heartfelt episode of Uncorked, Polly Hammond sits down with fourth-generation California winemaker Carol Franzia to explore her family’s rich history, their deep agricultural roots, and the launch of a bold new venture: Zin House Farm. With a legacy that spans over 120 years, Carol offers a candid look at what it means to carry on the work of trailblazers—particularly her great-grandmother Teresa Franzia—while building a business that reflects modern values around sustainability, education, and community.
The Woman Who Started It All
Teresa Franzia’s story is the stuff of legends. At 21, she left her small Italian village and traveled to America—not to meet the man she was promised to, but to take another woman’s place as a bride. Upon arrival, she married Giuseppe Franzia and, together, they started farming in California. While Giuseppe focused on vegetables and vineyards, it was Teresa who secured the financing to start the family’s first winery. As Carol says, “When I think I can’t do one more thing, I look at her photo on my desk—and I do one more thing.”
That legacy set the stage for generations of winemaking. But with growth came complexity. Carol and her brothers later faced the reality of working within a family name that had been sold. Today, Franzia boxed wine is ubiquitous in grocery stores, but it has no connection to their current work. “People say, ‘We love the box wine,’ and I just smile,” Carol says.
Walking Away from the Family Business
After decades of winemaking and leadership in one of America’s largest wine companies, Carol and her three brothers made a bold move: they left it all behind. “We had a vision,” she explains. “But we didn’t have the power to make that vision a reality.”
Their response was to start over. In their 50s and 60s, with no plans to retire, the Franzia siblings launched a new business from scratch, grounded in sustainable farming, wine, and customer education. “We don’t sit down very well,” Carol laughs. “This is the way our family works.”
The Birth of Zinc House Farm & Clark Ferrea Winery
Zinc House Farm & Clark Ferrea Winery is a full agricultural experience located on Highway 120, the busy route between San Francisco and Yosemite. What makes it unique is the order in which it was built. Instead of launching the winery first, the Franzias began with a working organic farm and farm stand. “We wanted to be the ambassadors of the area,” says Carol. “To remind people that this is where their food comes from.”
The stand sells only locally grown, organic produce—either grown by the family or sourced from a 30-mile radius. It serves not only as a source of income, but as a vital part of the brand’s agritourism and educational mission. Zinc House Farm hosts school visits, craft classes, and farm tours, allowing people to reconnect with the land.
A Winery Designed with Purpose
As construction begins on the Clark Ferrea winery, sustainability remains front and center. The building is a high-energy-mass structure designed to naturally regulate temperature without mechanical cooling, reducing environmental impact and operational costs. “No ammonia systems, no waste,” says Carol. “This building is going to show what can be done when you build with intention.”
The winery and tasting room will be designed as family-friendly, inclusive spaces. Adults can enjoy wine while children explore the farm and participate in educational activities. “We want people to leave saying, ‘I don’t even know why that was so great,’” Carol explains. “But we know—it’s the experience.”
Marketing Through Meaning: The Power of Bathrooms
One of Zinc House Farm’s most talked-about features? The bathrooms. “Before we put a single stick in the ground, I told my brothers—we’re going to have the best bathrooms on Highway 120,” Carol says. And they delivered, importing a custom-built VIP trailer from New York.
This seemingly small detail has paid off in brand loyalty and repeat visits. “People stop just to use our bathrooms—and then they buy produce, learn about the winery, and become part of our community,” she explains.
It’s a masterclass in customer-centric thinking: Identify pain points, solve them better than anyone else, and earn lasting affection.
Key Takeaways from Polly and Carol’s Conversation
- Multi-generational farming meets modern expectations: Zinc House Farm bridges 120 years of agricultural heritage with current consumer values around organic food, education, and sustainability.
- Start with community: Rather than leading with wine, the Franzias began with a farm stand, establishing trust and curiosity that will build momentum for their winery.
- Experience is the brand: From thoughtful design to education and customer care, Zinc House Farm aims to be an immersive space that quietly wins hearts.
- Sustainability isn’t a slogan: From farming practices to winery construction, every element of Zinc House reflects a commitment to long-term ecological and financial health.
Carol Franzia’s story is more than a tale of legacy—it’s a lesson in reinvention, resilience, and relevance. With Zinc House Farm & Clark Ferrea Winery, she and her family are redefining what it means to be a California wine and food brand, proving that the future of wine might just begin on a tomato-scented breeze, at a farm stand by the side of the road.
