Craig and Kathryn Hall are Dallas’ original Power Couple. Longtime entrepreneurs, Craig and Kathryn bounce between Dallas and California, managing Hall Group, Craig’s lending, investing, and development organization, and Kathryn’s HALL, WALT, and BACA wineries in Napa.

“I think the fact that I’m Kathryn I are married helps us have a knowledge of our a shared vision and, and while it has its moments of stress, it also has a lot of positives.”
Craig Hall

Craig founded Hall Group in 1968 and met Kathryn, by way of former Texas governor Ann Richards in 1991, while Kathryn was running for mayor of Dallas. The couple married in 1993 and founded the first of three wineries in 1995. Kathryn then went on to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Austria from 1998 to 2001.

Craig said working with his wife helps him communicate what is and is not working in their businesses. “I think the fact that I’m Kathryn I are married helps us have a knowledge of our a shared vision and, and while it has its moments of stress, it also has a lot of positives.”

Craig said he knew nothing about wine when he met Kathryn. He said what could be perceived as a roadblock benefitted his transition into the industry. “When you don’t have that holding you back, you can just learn everything at the same time as you’re trying things out. And it’s both more fun and I think in an odd way, very productive.”

While Craig and Kathryn don’t follow any set rules for leisure time, she said the couple bond over golfing, collecting art, and taking vacations to Hawaii. “The joy of looking for art and collecting, it has been something that is outside of business and something that we love to do together,” she said.

Your Company

Craig and Kathryn are longtime entrepreneurs in the development and wine industries. Craig is chairman and CEO of Hall Group, a lending, investing, and development organization behind Dallas landmarks like Hall Park and Hall Arts. Kathryn is CEO of the HALL, WALT, and BACA wineries. The Dallas-based attorney turned winemaker oversees three wineries in Napa.

Tell us When

Craig founded the Hall Group in 1968 and met Kathryn, by way of former Texas governor Ann Richards in 1991, while Kathryn was running for mayor of Dallas. The couple married in 1993 and founded the first of three wineries in 1995. Kathryn went on to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Austria from 1998 to 2001.

Growing Together

Craig said working with his wife helps him communicate what is and is not working in their businesses. “I think the fact that I’m Kathryn I are married helps us have a knowledge of our a shared vision and, and while it has its moments of stress, it also has a lot of positives.”

Beating the Odds

Craig said he knew nothing about wine when he met Kathryn. He said what could be perceived as a roadblock benefitted his transition into the industry. “When you don’t have that holding you back, you can just learn everything at the same time as you’re trying things out. And it’s both more fun and I think in an odd way, very productive.”

Unwinding

While Craig and Kathryn don’t follow any set rules for leisure time, she said the couple bond over golfing, collecting art, and taking vacations to Hawaii. “The joy of looking for art and collecting, it has been something that is outside of business and something that we love to do together,” she said.

Pet of Choice

Kathryn converted Craig to a dog person.

This Q+A is extended content from Dallas Innovates 2019—The Magazine. It was edited for brevity and clarity.

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Dallas Innovates 2019—The Magazine explores the region as a rising tech hub that will shape the future of innovation. The theme of our second annual print publication, “A Breakout Moment,” explores why now is the time for the region to grab its place in the tech universe.

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