WINEMAKING
WINEMAKING
At Hill Family Estate, our Napa Valley winemakers take a hands-on, vineyard-first approach to crafting wines. Led by Kari Auringer, our winemaking team works closely with estate vineyards, focusing on sustainable practices, sensory evaluation, and small-lot blending. This care and attention to detail are what make us one of the best wineries in Yountville for wine lovers who appreciate authenticity and craftsmanship.
KARI AURINGER
WINEMAKER
Kari’s passion for great wines kindled her desire to be a professional winemaker. After enjoying remarkable bottles at business dinners over the years, a dream began to form. She thought, “If Julia Child could start cooking in her 40s, why can’t I learn to make wine?” Inspired by some of the region’s most respected Napa Valley winemakers, she set out to follow that dream.
This belief in herself took root and lured her away from Chicago to Napa Valley. She gave up her career in marketing and graphic design to transform her dream into reality. She sought training by enrolling in enology courses at the University of California, Davis and Napa Valley College. She earned degrees in Viticulture and Winemaking as well as in Wine Marketing and Sales while gaining hands on experience assisting some of California’s great Napa Valley winemakers.
Kari describes herself as a hands-on winemaker and immerses herself in all aspects of the winemaking process. She loves rolling up her sleeves and getting her hands dirty and enjoys every step of the process. She revels in walking the vineyard, sampling the clusters, and sorting through the countless details of winemaking. Her true love is sensory analysis, and the infinitely nuanced art and science of blending. If you don’t find her tasting barrel samples in the winery, she is probably out kicking the dirt in a vineyard.
Kari believes her success is a combination of dedication, hard work, talent, and working with great people. Kari puts it best when she says, “As I look back on a career that has included helping to create several highly regarded cult wines, making great wine is definitely a team sport, and I’ve been on some fantastic teams.”
KELLY WHEAT
ASSISTANT WINEMAKER
FACILITIES MANAGER
Kelly is a long-time industry professional who has spent his career making wine in the cellars of Napa and Sonoma. If it happens at a winery, he has done it. He has simultaneously maintained a mild-mannered alter ego as a software designer of arcane winemaking tools that have been in place at dozens of wineries.
At Hill Family Estate he can generally be found tinkering with equipment at the winery or overcome with jealousy for Jim’s shoes. He makes his home in Napa where he and his wife, Martha, enjoy gardening, paddling outrigger canoes, and blurring the line between kosho and preserved lemons.
The best wineries in Napa are often the ones that stay true to their roots.
Discover Hill Family Estate’s family-owned winery.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Winemaking Team at Hill Family Estate
Who is the winemaker at Hill Family Estate?
Our head winemaker is Kari Auringer, a respected leader among Napa Valley winemakers. With more than 20 years of experience, Kari brings a hands-on, detail-oriented approach to every stage of production. She’s known for her love of sensory blending and for crafting expressive wines that reflect both the vineyard and the vintage. As a professional winemaker, she leads the cellar team with precision, creativity, and a deep respect for Napa’s winemaking traditions.
What makes Hill Family Estate different from other Yountville wineries?
As one of the few truly family-owned Napa Valley wineries, Hill Family Estate stands out among Yountville wineries for our deep local roots, personal winemaking approach, and wide-ranging wine portfolio. We offer both a centrally located Yountville tasting room and a scenic vineyard property, giving guests a chance to explore our wines in multiple settings. Our wines span from Albariño to Zinfandel, each crafted with hands-on care and reflective of the land we farm ourselves.
What varietals does Hill Family Estate specialize in?
Hill Family Estate produces wines from a wide range of varietals. While we’re known for Cabernet Sauvignon, we also produce Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Syrah, among others. Each wine is crafted by our Napa Valley winemaking team to reflect vintage character, vineyard location, and the Hill family’s signature style, making us a destination for those looking to explore both classic and unique varietals in one place.
What role does the assistant winemaker play at Hill Family Estate?
Kelly Wheat, our Assistant Winemaker and Facilities Manager, is a key part of the winemaking team. With extensive cellar experience and technical expertise, Kelly ensures the winery operates smoothly during harvest, fermentation, and bottling. He’s also a skilled developer of custom winemaking software, bringing innovation to the process. His background supports our goal of maintaining high standards in both wine quality and winery operations.
What is Hill Family Estate’s winemaking philosophy?
At Hill Family Estate, our winemaking philosophy centers on a vineyard-first, small-lot approach. We believe great wines begin in the vineyard, so our winemaking process starts with careful attention to farming practices and harvest timing. Led by Kari Auringer and supported by assistant winemaker Kelly Wheat, our team is involved in every step from sorting clusters to fine-tuning blends. The result is a balanced portfolio of Hill Family Estate wines that honor both the fruit and the land from which they come.
Can I meet the winemaker during my visit?
While our winemakers are typically focused on cellar work and vineyard management, we do offer occasional events, library tastings, and seasonal experiences where guests may have the opportunity to meet Kari or Kelly in person. Guests curious about the winemaking process will find plenty of insight during our guided tastings, where our hospitality team shares the stories, techniques, and philosophies behind Hill Family Estate wines.
How long has Kari Auringer been a winemaker in Napa Valley?
Kari Auringer has been a part of the Napa Valley winemaking community for over two decades. Her journey began after a successful career in marketing and design, when she followed her passion for wine to UC Davis and Napa Valley College. Since then, she has helped craft several acclaimed Napa wines, earning a reputation for thoughtful blending and collaborative leadership. Her tenure at Hill Family Estate is marked by consistent quality and a dedication to making each vintage better than the last.
Where does Hill Family Estate source its grapes?
We source grapes primarily throughout the Napa Valley. Farming the land gives us full control over fruit quality and allows our winemakers to make real-time decisions throughout the growing season. This vineyard-to-bottle control is a core reason why Hill Family Estate wines consistently reflect balance, complexity, and the hallmark characteristics of family-owned Napa Valley wineries.
Visiting Hill Family Estate
Winery Address
6155 Solano Avenue
Napa, CA 94558
707-947-7218
Open daily by appointment only
Downtown Tasting Room Address
6512 Washington Street
Yountville, CA 94599
707-944-9580 ext. 1
SEASON HOURS OF OPERATION:
Thursday-Monday: 11:00-6:00pm
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Day, New Year's Eve & Day
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