Every vintner in Napa has a story to tell, but none may be as decorated, envious, or worldly than the life of Kathryn Hall. Proprietor of HALL Wines and WALT Wines, Kathryn’s illustrious career in wine, business, and politics is the recipe for a lifetime of worthy achievements.
From Representing Wine to Representing the USA
Wine has played a major role in Kathryn’s life since her family first purchased a vineyard in the 1970s. For over a decade, she and her brother managed the family vineyard before stepping into the public eye as an attorney, businesswoman, and social advocate. Kathryn served on a number of non-profit advisory boards and used her voice for issues related to mental health and social well-being.
From 1997-2001 she moved to Vienna as the U.S. ambassador to Austria under the Clinton administration. Her experience in worldwide politics helped Kathryn cultivate a deeper sense of social justice and giving back to others — lessons that she would plant and cultivate upon returning to her roots.
Going Back to Her Roots
Kathryn returned to her winemaking background in 2001 when she purchased her own vineyard. Today, she continues to pour her passion into expanding operations and connect others through storytelling and the wines they produce. She and her husband, Craig, have grown their portfolio to include HALL Wines in Rutherford and St Helena, as well as WALT wineries, with multiple locations in California.
The couple attributes much of their success to their desire to experiment, along with high standards for their products and properties. As true pioneers in wine hospitality, Kathryn Hall and her team continually give back to the people and communities that contribute to their legacy. Charity events are common occurrences at their wineries and reflect the heart and soul upon which Kathryn first built a name for herself.
One of the biggest events is the Hall Winery Harvest Celebration, hosted by Kathryn herself. The event showcases foods from around the world, along with live music, dancing, and other cultural experiences — and in true Hall fashion, plenty of famous house-made cabernet sauvignon to go around.
Some of Many Accomplishments:
- The proprietor of HALL Wines and WALT Wines
- Attorney – For Safeway Stores where she was responsible for developing and administering one of the nation’s first and largest affirmative action programs.
- Community Activist – Kathryn has served on numerous non-profit and institutional boards, addressing issues related to social care and mental health.
- U.S. Ambassador to Austria from 1997 to 2001
- Fluent in French and German
- Art Collector Extraordinaire
- Author of A Perfect Score – The Art, Soul, and Business of a 21st Century Winery
- Serves on the Napa Legal Aid Board of Directors
- Earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, a joint MBA from UC California, Berkeley & Columbia University and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law.
“I almost never met a wine I didn’t like.”
“As a lawyer and a diplomat, negotiation is a critical skill. And the most important part of negotiation is listening.