California: Hall Wines completing historic restoration

(NBBJ) - Hall Wines is putting the finishing touches on its fully restored 1885 Bergfeld historic winery, a new visitor center and tasting room, as well as its upgraded and expanded production facilities, gardens and outdoor gathering spaces — including a unique “stickwork” sculpture. Visitors are welcome daily, and tours of the newly revitalized campus are scheduled to begin in October and November.

These construction and renovation projects, started in 2006, were completed in time to celebrate the release of the 2010 Hall (“Kathryn Hall”) Cabernet Sauvignon on Sept. 21 at a special Cajun-style event entitled “Les Bon Temps” (The Good Times) that featured a live Zydeco band, crawfish and Hall wines.

In restoring the 128-year-old classic hand-made wood and quarried stone structure, owners and vintners Craig and Kathryn Hall wanted to see the 5,200-square-foot legacy building brought back to its original appearance to become the centerpiece of the winery located at 401 St. Helena Ave. (Route 29) just south of St. Helena (hallwines.com).

The 49-foot tall Bergfeld winery was reconstructed from a single tattered photo, since most of the upper story had fallen away due to age and weathering, and there were no existing blueprints.