About Toad Hollow

" Where quality wines and a touch of whimsy make every moment unforgettable. "

Brand Story

The name Toad Hollow conjures nostalgic images of pastoral scenery: a winding country road and a gently flowing river with big oak trees and grasses swaying in the summer breeze. This is a place where you can relax and enjoy a sip or two of wine while gazing out on a pond hopping with Toad Hollow friends.

Toad Hollow is the collaboration of two old friends who retired, more or less, to an existence of peace and quiet in the Hollow, after a life of whirlwind world travel. Neither of these two gentlemen believed in self-denial.

Wine Maker

Todd "Dr. Toad" Williams

1938 – 2007

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.

Wine Maker

Randall Grahm

1927 – 2006

Our friend and partner, Rodney Strong, was an icon in the wine industry but that was not how he started his professional career. As a young adult, Rod became famous in the arts and entertainment industry as a dancer and choreographer in Paris and on Broadway. While in France, Rod also developed his love and appreciation of wine, vineyards and winemaking. Rod eventually realized that while he could not envision himself as an older dancer, he could see himself growing older gracefully as a winemaker. Rod returned to America and settled into Sonoma County where he pioneered many innovations in the wine industry and was an entrepreneur and risk taker par excellence.

He established and grew a busy nationally known winery and vineyards in Sonoma County. After several years, Rod decided he wanted out of the hectic business of running a large winery and to get back to enjoying the vineyards and the entrepreneurial spirit of the small vintner. Never one to worry about the outcome of something, Rod explained, “I just jump off a cliff and hope I land on an awning!” With that joie de vivre, he joined Todd Williams in the prospects of creating a small brand that offered excellent wines at prices that would allow everyday enjoyment of wine.

With Todd’s fine wine knowledge and ability to make friends wherever he went, and Rod’s familiarity with world-wide vineyards, Toad Hollow Vineyards was launched. Rod sourced well farmed fruit from all over California as well as undiscovered French wine regions, while Todd hit the road to spread the word about their new fan friendly winery.

Life isn’t fair and a few years later, Rod was stricken and was unable to physically continue at the helm of his dream. Before his passing he was able to see how we’ve carried on his dream by continuing to make beautiful and critically acclaimed wines that Toad Hollow fans enjoy from coast to coast.

The Artist

Maureen "Mo" Erickson

The artist behind our fun and whimsical labels.

Mo’s history with Toad Hollow owners Frankie and Todd Williams began in the mountain town of Arnold, Ca, at the Whiskey River Inn, where they hung her original paintings on the walls, and kindly kept her on as a not-so-great server. There she also debuted as a back-up singer to “Frankie and the Pointless Sisters”, marking a speedy beginning and end to both careers.

Later, relying on skills acquired from studio work at UC Berkeley and several years of gallery experience, Ms. Erickson began her illustration and design firm in San Francisco. In ‘99, she joined the Toad Hollow crew (lucky us!)

Inspired by Frankie and the lively Toad Hollow cast of characters, Maureen continues to publish an ongoing series of posters, labels and original paintings.

Our Team

Meet the spirited team behind Toad Hollow Vineyards—dedicated to crafting wines with heart, humor, and a love for bringing people together.

Frankie Williams

PRESIDENT, OWNER, & FEARLESS LEADER

Frankie Williams grew up in New London, Connecticut and after a brief stint with the CIA, she arrived in San Francisco in 1972, where she met her future husband, Todd Williams. In 1994 Todd founded Toad Hollow Vineyards in Sonoma County. His mission was to produce delicious and accessible wines and have fun while doing it. Frankie worked alongside Todd starting in 1997. After his passing in 2007, she assumed all executive and operational responsibilities for the winery.

Erik Thorson

General Manager, Chief Financial Officer, Grandpa

Erik joined Toad Hollow way back in the day. In 1997 having met founders Todd Williams and Rodney Strong, Erik was invited to bring his already strong background in financial services to our team. He fit like a glove (probably a baseball glove) and became a winery partner in 2000. Bilingual, Erik speaks both English and sarcasm! While 365 days a year you’ll find him in short pants, he is never short on a warm welcome. This attitude serves him well as a doting grandfather to two very young grandsons.

Cherie Zouzounis

ACCOUNTING

An artist at using math, formulas, Excel and humor as her tools, Cherie accomplishes more in one hour than many do in one day. This witty number cruncher keeps track of our wine flowing in and out of inventory, facilitates distribution, manages payables, receivables, and payroll, writes the checks and is a mastermind at balancing the books. How does she do it? Well, Cherie has a lovely assistant called Zoe, who’s always willing to give a tail wag and wet nose when needed, while performing sundry other tasks as our Toad canine mascot. This dynamic duo is unstoppable!

Tom Selfridge

Consultant: Operations, Winemaking & Sales

“The Sharpest Pencil in the West!”
Tom’s phenomenal background has earned him legend status, and we are thrilled to have him on our team. His amazing bio includes; a BA from UC Berkeley in Economics, Masters from San Francisco State in Economics, in the doctoral program at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, and a Masters in 1973 in Enology and Viticulture at UC Davis… and that’s not all! We’re the lucky recipients of Tom’s vast experience in top-level winemaking, viticulture and in CEO and VP positions for wine dynasties such as Beaulieu Vineyard, Kendall-Jackson, Chalone Wine Group and Hess Collection. While he travels and consults in California, Washington, Colorado, Spain and China, Toad Hollow, he claims, “Remains his most beloved wine brand.” At least that is what he tells us.

Lee Hodo

PR, MARKETING CONSULTANT & NUISANCE

A veteran in wine industry PR & marketing, Lee is especially noted for her “outside the box” promotions and affable approach to wine — hoping to expel the elitism that surrounds it and restricts its enjoyment. This is why she is especially suited to her favorite client, Toad Hollow Vineyards.

2024 Full Moon Calendar

1/25/2024

Wolf Moon

02/24/2024

Snow Moon

03/25/2024

Worm Moon

04/23/2024

Pink Moon

05/23/2024

Flower Moon

06/21/2024

Strawberry Moon

07/21/2024

Buck Moon

08/19/2024

Sturgeon Moon

09/17/2024

Blue Moon

09/17/2024

Harvest Moon

10/17/2024

Blood Moon

11/15/2024

Beaver Moon

12/15/2024

Cold Moon

Get In Touch: Discover Our Wines

Whether you’re curious about our collection or want to arrange a private wine tasting, we’re here to help. Reach out and let’s make it happen!

Contact Us