People

William Leigon, President

As president of Hahn Estates, Bill Leigon brings a generation of wine industry experience to the revitalization of Hahn’s growing wine programs. His experience in Monterey and strength in wine marketing has led Hahn Estates to increased recognition internationally. Since graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Texas, Bill has been active in the wine industry. His experience includes co-founder of The Wine Trust, Co-Founder of Ariel vineyards, and Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Associated Vintage Group. In 2000 Bill founded the Wimbledon Wine Company – the national sales and marketing company that represents Hahn Estates, Smith & Hook and Cycles Gladiator.

Adam LaZarre, Winemaker

With the Hahn Estates’ revitalization program in high gear, winemaker Adam LaZarre was perfectly positioned to take advantage of the best of Monterey when he joined the winery in 2001.After completion of six years of service in the Navy, he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a winemaker and enrolled and graduated from California State University, Fresno. During his studies,Adam discovered and fell in love with the wines of the Central Coast. Since graduating,Adam has mostly concentrated his efforts on winemaking in this bountiful region,working at Elliston Vineyards, Jekel and Riverland vineyards before joining the team at Hahn Estates.

Paul Clifton, Winemaker

Paul Clifton joined the Hahn Estates team in 2003, after finishing a postgraduate degree of Viticulture/Enology in New Zealand. He became involved in winemaking as a hobby and in 1996, decided to make a career change from firefighting to winemaking. Paul built a solid foundation in the industry, starting out in the cellars of Bernardus Winery in Carmel Valley, then moving on to Byington Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains as assistant winemaker. A native of the Monterey Bay, his passions lie in the beauty of the area, its potential for excellence in winegrowing, and the people he works with.

Barry Gnekow, Consulting Enologist

Barry Gnekow, senior winemaking consultant, another UC Davis graduate, has over 30 years experience in the wine industry, most notably with J. Lohr where he created the J. Lohr Estate wines and co-founded Ariel brand non-alcoholic wines. It was with J. Lohr and then Ariel where Barry first collaborated with Hahn President Bill Leigon. Most recently Bill and Barry have worked successfully together on all of the Hahn Estates’ wine brands.With the numerous accolades and medals garnered by his wines through the years, Barry is considered to be one of California’s most decorated winemakers.