Paula Kornell
Hanns Kornell, born in 1911 in Germany, began his winemaking journey by picking grapes in his grandfather's vineyard and later studying at the Geisenheim Enological Institute. After a harrowing escape from Nazi Germany in 1939, he arrived in the U.S. with just $2 and worked in various wineries before leasing a winery in Sonoma in 1952. In 1958, he married Marilouise Rossini and together they purchased Larkmead Winery, establishing Hanns Kornell Champagne Cellars, bringing méthode champenoise to Napa Valley.
Their daughter, Paula Kornell, was born in 1959 and grew up immersed in the winery. She worked various jobs before returning to help at the family business, which closed in 1992. Following this, Paula became a prominent figure in Napa's wine community, eventually chairing the Napa Valley Wine Auction and working for various wineries. In 2014, she launched her consulting company, Kornell Wine Company, and began producing her own sparkling wines, including her first vintage in 2017. Paula's wines have gained recognition, including top rankings, and established a partnership with Mike and Jenny Farmer in 2024, marking a continued legacy in the winemaking industry.