Love big, bold Cabs? And big, bold art?

Head to Hall Winery in St. Helena the next time you’re in the Napa Valley.

There, you’ll relish both in the sprawling winery estate created by Kathryn Hall and her husband Craig Hall.

Kathyrn Hall comes from a grape-growing family, as her parents owned vineyards in Mendocino. But it took awhile before she delved into it, herself. After graduating from Hastings Law School and U.C. Berkeley, she embarked on a career as an attorney; worked on Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign; joined Safeway, where she developed one of the nation’s first and largest affirmative action programs; and eventually became the U.S. ambassador to Austria (she’s fluent in French and German).

Along the way, she met and fell in love with Craig Hall, founder of Hall Financial Group, who was equally accomplished, having bought his first apartment complex at age 18 and became a millionaire by the age of 21. At one point, he was the youngest co-owner of the Dallas Cowboys.

After marrying, this power couple decided to move to the Napa Valley to make wine. And what wine it is — garnering more than 170 scores of more than 90 points by noted wine critics.

The Hallmark Tour ($40, an hour+ in length) is a great way to get acquainted with the winery, as I found out when I was invited as a guest on it recently.

You check in at the host stand, then are given glasses of chilled Sauvignon Blanc as you await the tour to start. It’s a nice way to cool off on a warm summer day in Wine Country, too.

Hall is easily recognizable off Highway 29, most notably because of the 35-foot-tall leaping bunny sculpture by Lawrence Argent that graces the entrance. On holidays, it even gets dressed up. For Halloween, the bunny sports a witch hat; for Christmas, it’s reindeer antlers.

Their love of art is not only an outgrowth of the Halls’ world travels, but also was instilled in Craig at an early age as his mother was an art teacher.

Wander around the property and you never know what you’ll find: a life-size camel sculpture, a flock of sheep (another sculpture) nearby, and even an apple tree in which the trunk and lipstick-red apples are all crafted.

Even the production area for the winery sports art in the form of big pinwheels hanging from the ceiling that spin.

The tour takes you to the edge of one of the vineyards, where you can even pick a Cabernet Sauvignon grape to pop in your mouth, well, at least at this time of year. The skin is quite thick. But as our guide pointed out, “The thicker the skin, the bigger the wine.”

On the tour, you’ll get a chance to taste wine straight from the barrel, as well as at least four other wines in one of the private salons, including — if you’re lucky — the 2013 Kathryn Hall Cab, which has scored 98 to 100 points. It’s jammy, weighty, rich, and full of dark fruit that goes on and on. The Kathryn Hall Cabs are what the winery is most famed for. A bottle is $165. And no, unfortunately, you don’t reap a discount just for going on the tour.

If that’s a little rich for your pocketbook, you can opt for the 2014 Walt “Rita’s Crown” Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir, for a souvenir to take home. As our guide aptly described, “It is a Pinot for Cab lovers.” Indeed, it’s a hefty wine on the palate. Not delicate in the least. But quite ripe with dark fruits and a bit of anise. It’s $75 per bottle. And I can imagine it being amazing with duck.

If you want to indulge in a more extended Hall experience, book a stay at Senza Hotel. I had a chance to check out the newly renovated property, when I was invited as a guest for the night.

The Napa boutique hotel, walking distance to Bistro Don Giovanni, was purchased by the Halls in 2006.

After weathering the economic downturn a couple years later, they started remodeling it in 2013, expanding it from 25 to 41 rooms, and adding three low-slung buildings that fit in seamlessly with the original shingled ones there.

The original water tower was kept, though, it’s just used for storage now. A Merlot vineyard was planted two years ago next door.

The modern, clean-lined rooms feature concrete floors, electric fireplaces that are remote-controlled, a huge walk-in shower, and a contemporary freestanding tub.

Although the property is right off of Highway 29, it feels very secluded and quiet. The name is a play on “senses” and also means “without” in Italian. It’s meant to evoke the feeling of leaving your cares at the door when you check-in here.

Of course, there’s plenty of art on the premises. Turn a corner and you never know what you’ll see.

Each evening at 6 p.m. in the lobby, there’s a free wine tasting, where a specific winery is featured each time, along with salumi and cheeses to nibble.

The hotel doesn’t have a restaurant on site. But the breakfast served each morning (included in the room price) is definitely special. That’s because it features specialties from Yountville’s Bouchon Bakery, including strawberry croissants, cream-cheese and jam-filled pastries, custardy smooth quiche, and savory cheese scones, as well as fresh berries, yogurt, and its own special blend of Napa Valley Roasting Co. coffee.

 

Now, if that doesn’t get you to rise and shine, nothing will.