“This valley means everything to me,” said Kornell, General Manager of Oakville Ranch Vineyards.

Kornell described why she’s involved in Auction Napa Valley.  “I want the success (for) the valley and the people in it.

“Auction Napa Valley is an opportunity to give back and for this whole valley to shine. On top of that, it’s a fun event -- there’s something for everybody.”

Kornell really does have the wine business in her blood. In 1958 her father, Hanns Kornell, founded Hanns Kornell Champagne Cellars, the first methode Champenoise sparkling wine facility in the valley.

She currently serves on the Napa Valley Vintners/Auction Napa Valley Boards of Directors.

What three people would you most like to have dinner with?

Jacqueline Kennedy, Ayn Rand, Lucille Ball.

What job would you like to try/not like to try?

I would not like to be a flight attendant or any type of politician. There would not be enough “cute and charming” drugs to do either of those jobs.

I have always wanted to have a book/flower store.

What was your first job?

Selling peacock feathers, prunes, and walnuts in front of the tasting room at Hanns Kornell Champagne Cellars.

What’s the worst job you ever had?

I was a management trainee at the Stanford Court hotel in San Francisco. Part of the stint was being a cocktail waitress at Fournou’s Ovens. I wore a long brown Quiana (highly flammable) dress with high heel shoes. Not only was the look horrible, I kept getting my heel caught in the hem of the dress.

What’s on your to-do list?

Travel to the Galapagos Islands, India, Cuba, Lebanon and Bhutan. Organize photos from past great adventures.



Who do you most admire in the business world?

I would have to say my parents. My father, Hanns Kornell, truly fulfilled the American dream. He came to America from Germany with nothing. He worked extremely hard and was very diligent to build the first methode Champenoise in Napa Valley. He truly had heart and soul and was a very proud individual. He most certainly taught me a very strong work ethic. At the same time, he had my mother by his side always being supportive.

What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

I actually summited Mt. Kilimanjaro.



If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?  

Home in my backyard with my bullmastiff Romeo.

What’s the most significant project you’ve been involved with in your career?

Chairing the 1992 Napa Valley Wine Auction and co-chairing Auction 25.

What other business person(s) would you like to see featured in “10 Questions for…”

Larry and Fran Heit, owners of Reeds, Mirabel and Cricket.

Charles Gautreaux, Vanderbilt and Co.

Cindy Pawlcyn, cookbook author and owner Mustards Grill, Go Fish and Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen.

For the next four weeks, 10 Questions will focus on business people involved with Auction Napa Valley, the Napa Valley Vintners’ signature event that has raised more than $68 million for local charities and organizations.

Each Wednesday the Napa Valley Register’s Business Focus asks “10 Questions” of a local entrepreneur or businessperson. Readers are welcome to suggest business people to be profiled. To suggest a candidate for “10 Questions” e-mail: jhuffman@napanews.com