Wine Country Personalities

Kathyrn Hall :

Modern art and architecture also play a key role in Kathryn Hall's personal life and at her wineries. HALL Rutherford showcases numerous works of contemporary art in a modern winery that balances history, vanguard winemaking technology and gorgeous vistas. HALL St. Helena has embarked on an ambitious showplace of its own: Frank Gehry has designed a spectacular visitors center and gravity-fed winery to be complete in late 2009. The structures will meld the property's rich history with modern vision, all underscoring the beauty of the vineyards and the backdrop of the Macaymas Mountains. There is a sparkle in Kathryn's eye as she considers the project. "The buildings of Frank Gehry elicit joy and inspire the senses. As such they are the ideal environment for us as we strive to make wines that bring joy to special occasions. Constructed of wood and glass, the winery buildings will echo and glorify our beautiful natural setting in Napa Valley." Official groundbreaking for the project is July of this year and Kathryn and Craig have worked closely with Frank Gehry's design team to realize their vision.

An international career took Kathryn away from her wine aspirations for a time. After earning an A.B. in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a J.D. from the University of California Hastings College of Law, she began a public career as assistant city attorney in Berkeley, California. Later she joined Safeway Stores, where she was responsible for developing and administering one of the nation's first and largest affirmative action programs. Subsequently she worked as an attorney and businesswoman in Dallas, Texas, where she was president of an inner city development company and partner of Hall Financial Group, Inc. From 1997 to July 2001, Kathryn served as the United States Ambassador to Austria before returning to Napa Valley to begin living her dream.

"When my schedule permits, I love to host our guests at the winery, sharing our passion and connecting our visitors to what we do.” A large hawk soars across the pale blue canvas of late-morning sky and disappears behind a distant row of winter vines. "When I was still in diplomatic life, people used to ask me what I could possibly enjoy doing when my term expired. That was never hard to answer: I always knew where I wanted to be and what I wanted to do. I am living my dream. Just look around. I am living in the most gorgeous place on earth, making great wine with, and for, wonderful people. What could be better?"

For more information on Kathryn Hall and HALL Wines, please visit the featured winery listing on WineCountry.com. Click here