I’ve always had a love affair with bubbles, from the time I was young, living in St. Helena and working at my parents’ winery, Hanns Kornell Champagne Cellars.
As we think ahead to one of sparkling wine’s brightest times to shine, Valentine’s Day, I think about my parents’ epic love story and what an inspiration it has been in the creation of my own brand, Paula Kornell Sparkling Wine.
My father Hanns grew up in Germany, where he came from a long line of winemakers. As World War II intensified, he was arrested, sent to Dachau and eventually given 24 hours to get out of the country. He left with nothing, just a few dollars, got on a boat to America and made his way to New York.
From there, he continued on to St. Louis, where he got a job with Cook’s Imperial Champagne. For a long time, Cook’s was the number-one selling sparkling wine brand, established in 1859 by Isaac Cook and oft considered the height of luxury, made primarily from California-grown wine grapes. One newspaper ad for Cook’s read, “We may live without friends; we may live without books, but civilized man cannot live without Cook’s Imperial Champagne.”
But my father always wanted to come to California, especially once he saw the quality of the grapes. When he finally got here, he first started a winery in Sonoma County where he made dry white wines like Chenin Blanc.
My mother Marilouise was Swiss-Italian. Her family homesteaded in St. Helena and would come up from the Bay Area on weekends. After my parents met, they moved to this place for good and bought the former Larkmead Vineyard in 1958, which became Hanns Kornell Champagne Cellars. My father was a pioneer in using traditional Methode Champenoise techniques in California and his wines were delicious, a true inspiration for the bubbles we make at Paula Kornell.
Marilouise was the consummate hostess, welcoming friends from near and far into the family home to enjoy great food, great wine and great company. I continue these family traditions. I am paying homage this month with a special Premiere Napa Valley Blanc de Blancs made from Chardonnay grown on one very special block of the historic Mitsuko’s Vineyard in Carneros. This wine has never before been released and is appropriately named for the “Queen,” my mother, Marilouise Kornell.
As we think about the great love stories of yore and the love we share with our families and friends on Valentine’s Day this year, I send my love to you for always supporting my dream, Paula Kornell Sparkling Wine.
about paula kornell sparkling wine
paula kornell sparkling wine is the namesake brand of one of napa valley’s leading women in wine, who has lived and breathed this premier wine-growing region all her life. with two sparkling wines that draw on california’s past while attracting contemporary lovers of champagne and bubbles in general, paula builds on the legacy of her family’s winery, hanns kornell champagne cellars, among the pioneers to use “méthode champenoise” in california. paula kornell sparkling wine is about crafting wines that are stylish, sophisticated, and engaging, and—importantly for paula—food-friendly. designed to be enjoyed with friends and family, raise a toast to california’s history and the rich pleasure of enjoying paula kornell sparkling wine. visit www.paulakornell.com to learn more and follow along on facebook and instagram @paulakornellsparkling