Disclosure: I was invited out to Hall Wines for an exclusive tasting where I heard great stories about the winery and wines. Story is my own creation.
A few weeks ago I headed up to beautiful Napa Valley to check out Hall Wines. I stopped into their St. Helena location, and was truly blown away by the ambiance of this winery.
Hall Wines took over this St. Helena location in 2005, and has carefully crafted this venue. The love of art brought on by Kathryn Walt Hall and Craig Hall has truly been brought out in this vineyard.
But, it truly does not stop there. Known for their small lot red wines, this winery has truly made a craft with their wine making process including inventive means to perfecting the wine.
During your tasting be sure to talk with the people pouring the wines to tell you more of the stories behind the Art on the Artisan Collection Bottles of wine. Each one having a very distinct story to their label. Art from the labels were either commissioned pieces of work or created by members of the Hall family.
While at the winery there are a variety of ways to enjoy wine while on the grounds including taking in a tasting in their very modern tasting room. A beautiful art sculpture piece hangs above the tasting bar with bright colors that adorn the walls.
Or, if you want a more intimate experience with your friends or colleagues, rent out a tasting room for a one of kind wine experience:
Reservations are required ahead of time for this experience.
Then before or after your tasting experience enjoy a walk around the grounds taking in the surrounding art:
Patrick Dougherty – “Deck the Halls” Stickwork – St. Helena
Outside in the garden lawns there’s an area dedicated to Patrick Dougherty’s “Deck the Halls” Stickwork. He uses tree saplings as his artistic medium, and pieces of his artwork are found at the winery. These make for some great photo opp’s.
Another popular art piece found at Hall Wines:
John Baldessari - Camel (Albino) Contemplating Needle, 2013
John Baldessari’s sculpture Camel (albino) Contemplating Needle highlights a confluence of belief from several different cultures. References to the camel and the needle appear in the Quran, Bible, and the Midrash.
And this piece:
From the same artist who created the Light Show off the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, this piece, Exploded View (expanding), 2013, by artist Jim Campbell. This art is located on the second floor near the tasting room.
“In 1988, coming from a technical background in engineering and an artistic background in filmmaking, I began to create interactive video installations that involve the viewer and the viewer’s response to a given situation. In creating interactive video art work, my goal has been to move away from the conventional computer screen “button pushing” interface and instead to move towards creating works that have a more intuitive level of interaction.” ~Jim Campbell
This is a winery that has truly left a lasting impression, and a must visit on your next trip to Napa Valley. They also have a location in Rutherford and Kathryn’s own line, “Walt Wines” can be found in the Sonoma Plaza.
Hall Wines: St. Helena
401 ST. HELENA HWY. SOUTH
Hall Wines: Rutherford
56 Auberge Road, Rutherford, CA
Walt Wines: Sonoma Plaza
380 First Street West, Sonoma, CA
Upcoming Events at Hall Wines:
May 18th: Cabernet Cookoff: 11am to 2pm:
Food + Cab = Winners! The HALL Cabernet Cookoff returns with professional chef contestants vying for your vote as the best pairing with HALL Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy an afternoon filled with great food, wine and music. Cast your vote for your favorite dish. First and second place teams will receive a cash donation to benefit their local charity! 100% of all ticket sales go to the sponsored charities.
Tickets on Sale Now. 65 Dollars.
