Wine Portfolio

Megan  Gunderson

Winemaker, HALL

Winemaker Megan Gunderson Paredes began her career in the Napa Valley in 2001 when she moved from Colorado to California and worked as an intern at Robert Mondavi Winery. While at Mondavi, she discovered a passion for wine and viticulture and went on to become a Laboratory Manager for St. Supery Vineyards in Rutherford, then Dominus Estates in Yountville. At Dominus, she was able to refine her winemaking skills under the mentorship of Christian Moueix and Jean-Claude Barrouet, learning to hone her winemaking craft with unique methods. Megan has made several trips to France to study wine-making techniques, the most recent to Burgundy. Megan’s multiple degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics have given her a unique and unmatched perspective into the scientific aspects of winemaking.

Country born: USA

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, followed by many years working in the vineyard, laboratory and cellar in multiple wineries.

Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years

Honors / Awards:
HALL has earned numerous awards from the industries top critics including five 100 point scores. To date, HALL has earned over 650 scores rated 90points and above from outlets such as Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Jeb Dunnuck, Vinous and more.

Winemaking Philosophy:
Minimalist, yet precise. Belief that wine is made in the vineyard. I want our wines to express a unique sense of place and time.

Alison Frichtl

Winemaker, HALL

Alison Frichtl Hollister didn't take the conventional path to making wine. Growing up in a creative household, she always viewed the world through an artistic eye and her love for the winemaking craft came through her desire to create something new. Having been introduced to American winemaking after living in the prominent Willamette Valley, Oregon as a teenager, she earned her B.S. degree in Biology from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. After graduation, she was hired at Etude Wines in 2006, and planted roots in Napa Valley.

Alison joined HALL Family Wines in 2008. She has grown with the luxury brand during her tenure, serving in many roles, including Enologist and Assistant Winemaker. In 2016, Allison was tapped to lead the new BACA brand, creating premium Zinfandels from some of the top vineyards and appellations throughout California. In 2020, Hollister was promoted to Senior Winemaker for HALL Family of Wines working on the HALL, WALT and BACA Wines under the direction of Director of Winemaking Megan Gunderson.

When she’s not making wine, Hollister can be found fermenting everything from kombucha to kimchi, sketching in the studio, and remodeling the Howell Mountain home she shares with her husband Bruce, a landscape designer and artist.

Country born: USA

Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
Given the breadth of resources for contemporary winemaking that HALL provides, my approach is choosing the appropriate tools on hand to craft complex, honest, drinkable wines.