Ever wonder what the most powerful leaders, business execs and celebrities keep on their desks? Well, we’re about to tell you. Our biweekly “What’s on My Desk” feature will take a look inside the offices and at the desks of the world’s most influential power players.
This week we’ve featured the desk of Kathryn Walt Hall, the proprietor of HALL Wines. Hall has been involved in the California wine industry since her family first purchased a vineyard 30 years ago. She has had a distinguished career as a successful businesswoman, community activist, and most recently, as the United States Ambassador to Austria under President Clinton. The Walt family owns 63 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc in the Redwood Valley and has sold their grapes to such wineries as Fetzer, Parducci and Beringer. Kathryn managed the family vineyard from 1982 to 1992. During this time she produced Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon under the label Walt Vineyards. Kathryn began her public career as assistant city attorney in Berkeley, California. Later she joined Safeway Stores, where she was responsible for developing and administering one of the nation’s first and largest affirmative action programs. Subsequently she worked as an attorney and businesswoman in Dallas, Texas, where she was president of an inner city development company and partner of Hall Financial Group, Inc. Long committed to social issues, Kathryn has served on numerous non-profit and institutional boards, addressing issues related to social care and mental health. She co-founded the North Texas Food Bank, served on the U.S. House of Representatives Hunger Advisory Committee, and was the director/vice president of the Texas Mental Health Association. Kathryn has served on the National Advisory Council for Violence Against Women and as a trustee of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. From 1997 to July 2001, Kathryn served as the United States Ambassador to Austria. During her term as Ambassador, she worked hard to promote American wine in Austria and Europe. Since her return to America, she has resumed her role as proprietor of Kathryn Hall Vineyards. Continuing upon her experience promoting American agriculture in Austria, in September 2001 she was appointed to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for international trade. Here is a look at the items on this philanthropic vintner’s desk.
- Mug – Hand painted gift from my dear friend Barbara and artist from Maine. I collect these and love American crafts.
- Glass bell – in the middle of stress bells creates a peacefulness. Plus I love lalique.
- Rabbit- A little bunny foo foo that predates our large piece by artist Lawrence Argent that was just installed at our HALL, St. Helena property. The kids and I used to sing the song Little Bunny Foo Foo hopping through the ‘vineyards’…
- U.S. Ambassador Notepad – loved my days in Vienna and like something around me that comes from there.
- Pictures of my daughter, son and husband Craig: just like having their pictures near me.
- Cal Bears Stuffed Animal:- My alma mater and the greatest public university in the world. Go Bears!
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