David Frakes began his tenure as the Chef at Lynmar Estate in March 2011.

Initiated into the world of cooking by his grandmother when he was ten, David graduated from California Culinary Academy with high honors in 1992. Positions at La Scene in the Warwick-Regis Hotel and at the Ritz Carlton with Gary Danko followed.

In 1997, David became the Executive Chef at Applewood Inn in Guerneville, where he developed a distinct style that reflected the fresh bounty of Sonoma County, focusing on a strict farm-to-table approach. Before he left, he was given the highest rating of five stars by local food critic, Jeff Cox of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

David then spent ten years as the Executive Chef of Beringer, where he perfected the art of pairing food with wine. He cooked for a variety of guests including culinary legends such as Julia Child.

David's cuisine is a joyful expression of seasonality and simplicity using the freshest ingredients from the Estate's expansive organic vegetable gardens and orchards. His mastery of flavors is visible in his innovative pairing of Lynmar wines with cuisine that ranges from casual picnics to five course wine and food dinners. With David's leadership, Lynmar Cuisine has become a critical element of the hospitality program at Lynmar Estate.

David lives happily in Santa Rosa. He is a dedicated supporter of food-related charities and the American Heart Association, regularly cooking and hosting educational seminars that benefit these worthy causes.