Pioneering Women of the Franzia Legacy
The Franzia family’s winemaking journey is a tale of resilience, serendipity, and the melding of cultures. At the heart of this story are two remarkable women, Frances Zulieme Bell Clark and Teresa Ferroggiaro Ferrea, whose disparate paths converged through their shared lineage to our founders Carol, Michael, Paul, and Brian.
Clark Ferrea is named for these women who have shaped our history.
Frances Zulieme Bell Clark
Frances, born in Hinckley, Ohio, in 1876, embarked on a career that led her from teaching to becoming the secretary and eventual spouse of Arthur H. Clark, a London-born publisher. Her life spanned 96 years, a testament to the strength and endurance of her American roots, which stretched back before the Revolutionary War.
Teresa Ferroggiaro Ferrea
Teresa, nicknamed “Tejinin” or “Tejie,” was born in 1880 in Cornuga, Lumarzo, Liguria. Unlike Frances, Teresa’s journey to America in 1902 was marked by the challenges of immigration, adapting to a new land without ever mastering its language, and dying at 63. Through her marriage to Stephano Ferrea, she became part of the fabric of California’s burgeoning agricultural community. Teresa’s arrival and life in America represent a pivotal point in the story of California’s wine industry.
Continuing their legacy
At Clark Ferrea, we are dedicated to crafting wines that connect us with the people and land who have nurtured our journey. We believe in winemaking that respects the environment, engages with our community, and celebrates the stories that define California agriculture. Through our wines, we aim to share the legacy of Frances and Teresa — their strength, resilience, and spirit of innovation — with the world.
Together, we drink to the future, one that’s rich with possibility, grounded in history, and flourishing from the contributions of those who have come before us.
We invite you to join us.
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