SMITH & HOOK PEOPLEWilliam Leigon, PresidentAs president of Hahn Winery, Bill Leigon brings a generation of wine industry experience to the revitalization of Hahn’s growing wine programs. His experience in Monterey and strength in wine marketing has led Hahn Winery to increased recognition internationally. Since graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Texas, Bill has been active in the wine industry. His experience includes co-founder of The Wine Trust, Co-Founder of Ariel vineyards, and Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Associated Vintage Group. In 2000 Bill founded the Wimbledon Wine Company, now known as Hahn Family Wines, Inc. Bill divides his time between Monterey and his home in the Napa Valley. Bill is a community activist and artist and is a founding director of the Napa Valley Repertory Theatre. |
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| Paul Clifton, Winemaker Paul Clifton joined the Hahn Winery team in 2003, after finishing a postgraduate degree of Viticulture/Enology in New Zealand. He became involved in winemaking as a hobby and in 1996, decided to make a career change from firefighting to winemaking. Paul built a solid foundation in the industry, starting out in the cellars of Bernardus Winery in Carmel Valley, then moving on to Byington Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains as assistant winemaker. A native of the Monterey Bay, his passions lie in the beauty of the area, its potential for excellence in winegrowing, and the people he works with. |
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| Barry Gnekow, Consulting Enologist Barry Gnekow, senior winemaking consultant, is a UC Davis graduate, and has over 30 years experience in the wine industry, most notably with J. Lohr where he created the J. Lohr Estate wines and co-founded Ariel brand non-alcoholic wines. It was with J. Lohr and then Ariel where Barry first collaborated with Hahn President Bill Leigon. Most recently Bill and Barry have worked successfully together on all of the Hahn Family Wines brands. With the numerous accolades and medals garnered by his wines through the years, Barry is considered to be one of California’s most decorated winemakers. |
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