Napa Valley has developed into, perhaps, some of the most well-known wine country in Northern California. Over the years, the area’s rich, fertile ground and choice temperatures have enabled wine growers to cultivate some of the finest grapes, and produce Sonoma County’s world-renowed wines and distinct tastes.
HALL Wineries: A display of dedication to the tradition of world-class winemaking
By Matt Layton
Published: August, 2005
Napa Valley has developed into, perhaps, some of the most well-known wine country in Northern California. Over the years, the area’s rich, fertile ground and choice temperatures have enabled wine growers to cultivate some of the finest grapes, and produce Sonoma County’s world-renowed wines and distinct tastes.
Grape growing is quite possibly one of the greatest labours of love that is passed on generation to generation. The commitment to the process involves passion and patience, as the development of a winery is an extremely slow and arduous process; once planted, a vineyard will not produce a crop until the fourth year. Moreover, the wine from the first grapes will not be ready for an additional three years.
The historic Napa Valley Wine Cooperative property was one of the most important and well-known wineries in the Napa Valley in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. The facility, located off Highway 29, just south of St. Helena, was aquired by the Hall family in 2003. The owners, Craig and Kathy Hall purchased a house in Rutherford in 1995, and the adjacent Sacrashe Vineyard. This proved to be a dream come true for Kathryn, who grew up on a vineyard that her parents owned in Mendocino County. Soon after purchasing the property, the Hall’s began to make their grape growing dreams come to fruition as well, through long hours, absolute dedication and a specific vision.
The acquisition of the winery provided the Hall family with a facility to produce wines on nearly 500 acres of the 3,300 acre property, where the staff is able to farm and control the vineyards, to produce signature wines that focus on the classic Bordeaux region: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc.
Mike Reynolds, a HALL staff member, knows well the wine growing process that ensures an abundant harvest: When the grapes first arrive at the winery, we are commited to using state-of-the-art technologies and techniques to ensure that the wine we produce will rival the finest in the world. Hand sorting, extended cold-maceration and gentle, gravity delivery of the crushed grapes to the tank are incorporated to make sure that the wines produced are the finest possible.
Reynolds explaines: HALL is commited to producing the finest possible wines by controlling the production of the wines we make...from the vineyard to the winery ... we have incorporated technology that can analyze the climate, soil and overall unique charactaristics of each vineyard property, as we plant new vineyards. Once planted, the vines are nourtured by our staff to emphasize quality wine production, as opposed to quantity.
One of the shining qualities of the HALL wineries, aside from colorful tastes and texture. The St. Helena winery is a wonderful place where guests can sit amongst arbor-covered gardens, to relax and enjoy the day while admiring the architecture (custom-designed by Frank Gehry).
The Rutherford location, unlike St. Helena, which yields a significantly greater allotment of grapes during harvest, caters more to the production of highly individualized bottling, and caters to the ultimate wine and art afficianado. Designed by Friedrich Gruber, the 14,000 square feet of caves are finished with handmade Austrian brick recovered from sites in and around Vienna. Hall’s custom art collection spans the walls in and around the reception area, which is accented by an incredibly beautiful chandelier designed by Donald Lipski and Jonquil LeMaster. Rutherford also invites guests to take personal tours of the premises, has view demonstrations, and guests are invited to partake in special tastings of some of Hall’s more prestigious wines.
Craig and Kathryn Hall have set the standard for what it means to tackle their passion. One look at their vineyards properties reveals just how commited they are to wine, customers, family, guests and even to other winemakers. And for a relatively younger winery, the Hall family can take pride in knowing that their mission in life has surpassed their expectations - art, wine, communication and beauty - the attention to detail and an abundance of family-like atmosphere will surely be qualities that keep the HALL wineries a step ahead in winemaking, from St. Helena to Rutherford and throughout the lush, Napa countryside.
HALL WINERY
The historic 1885 building and Hall Winery is located just south of St. Helena, at 401 St. Helena Highway South (Highway 29) St. Helena, CA. 94574. Hall wines are known for their rich and distinctive tastes. The property is distinguished by the fantastic art that graces the tasting rooms. Private tastings and tours are available for a small fee, by appointment only. Please visit www.hallwines.com or call (707) 967-2620.
