Loni Stark discovers the art of Hall Wines (Video)

An out-of-body experience in Napa. Craig and Kathryn Hall give me a tour of their art collection at Hall Wines. But not without a surprise or two.

In this Stark Insider segment, Loni Stark visits Hall Wines in the Napa Valley. Kathryn and Craig Hall give her a tour of their art collection. But on this evening there’s a surprise or two. Talk about an out-of-body experience!

Hall Wines Art Tour - Napa Valley (Video)
In this Stark Insider segment I tour the grounds of Hall Wines in Napa. The art here is whimsical, the scenery divine.

If you’re headed down highway 29 in Napa Valley and by chance see a super-sized, mercurial bunny hopping across the vineyards, believe your eyes. The commissioned piece “Bunny Foo Foo” is just one of many art installations at Hall Wines that amuse and tantalize the imagination.

“Some are truly whimsical,” says co-owner and vintner Kathryn Hall. “It’s just a lot of fun.”

Her husband Craig, whose mother was an art teacher, says he loves to mix art, wine and landscape. “We don’t have our art in a museum,” he says. “We have it outside where everyone can be with it, and enjoy it.”

Vintner Craig Hall is an avid lifelong art collector - part of his collection was loaned to the Jeu de Paume Museum in Paris as part of a show on Central and Eastern European art.
Vintner Craig Hall is an avid lifelong art collector – part of his collection was loaned to the Jeu de Paume Museum in Paris as part of a show on Central and Eastern European art.

And enjoy it we were. The Halls were hosting a special patron dinner as part of Festival del Sole, an annual arts and wine celebration. A crowd streamed through the gorgeous, modern tasting room, taking in the fantastical works.

Later, we headed outdoors where the art tour continued.

An organic installation, assembled over several weeks by volunteers, will slowly “wilt away.” Twisted pieces of wood are knotted together to form walk-able structures – maybe something beavers would make should they ever decide to take up residence in Napa.

Opera stars Nadine Sierra (above) and Matthew Polenzani performed a stunning moonlight serenade from the historic building at Hall Wines. The patron dinner was part of the annual Nap Valley Festival del Sole.
Opera stars Nadine Sierra (above) and Matthew Polenzani performed a stunning moonlight serenade from the historic building at Hall Wines. The patron dinner was part of the annual Nap Valley Festival del Sole.

As the sun set over the Napa hills we mingled, before dining alfresco on the lawn next to a restored 1885 stone Bergfeld building. The juxtaposition of the historic and the modern is striking.

In the theme of Festival del Sole, various artists performed during the dinner. I won’t give it all away here, but there are a few absolutely incredible surprises.

So take a sip of your favorite beverage, and join me as I embrace my alter ego and go down the rabbit hole at Hall Wines…

Hall Wines Video - Napa Valley
LED light installation at Hall Wines (Jim Campbell, Untitled series, 2013)

WATCH: The Art of Hall Wine with Craig and Kathryn Hall

The Art of Hall Wines – Napa Valley Festival del Sole from Stark Insider on Vimeo.

Napa Food & Wine - Photos, Videos, News | Stark InsiderHall Wines Patron Dinner

Butter Lettuce Salad

Local Stone Fruit, Candied Pecans, Skyhill Chèvre

Verjus Vinaigrette

2012 WALT “La Brisa” Sonoma County Chardonnay

Duck Confit

Smoked Sweet Onion Potato Gratin

Herb Cabernet Duck Glace

2012 WALT “Rita’s Crown” Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir

2011 HALL “Jack’s Masterpiece” Cabernet Sauvignon

Chocolate Opulence

Cheery Compote, Vanilla Bean Chantilly

EXECUTIVE CHEF

Kevin Miller

Loni Stark is an artist at Atelier Stark, self-professed foodie, and adventure travel seeker who has a lifelong passion for technology’s impact on business and creativity. She collaborates with Clinton Stark on video projects for Atelier Stark Films. It’s been said her laugh can be heard from San Jose all the way up to the Golden Gate Bridge. She makes no claims to super powers, although sushi is definitely her Kryptonite.