THE TEAM

Arietta is owned by Fritz and Caren Hatton. Fritz Hatton is the nation’s foremost wine auctioneer. After a career as an executive and auctioneer for Christie’s, Hatton turned his passion into a profession as director of Christie’s Wine Department in the U.S. beginning in 1995. Hatton returned to California in 1998, and with his wife Caren and in association with John and Maggy Kongsgaard launched Arietta. In addition to running Arietta, Hatton remains very active as a commercial and charity wine auctioneer. He serves as principal auctioneer for Zachys Wine Auctions, and as auctioneer for many charities in California and nationwide, including the Napa Valley Wine Auction, Make-A-Wish, the Sonoma County Children’s Charities, and Imagine.

John Kongsgaard, Arietta’s winemaker, founded Arietta with Fritz Hatton in 1996. Kongsgaard, a fifth-generation Napan, is one of the country’s most celebrated winemakers. Kongsgaard has grown grapes in Napa since 1975, and made wine since 1979, most notably at Newton Vineyards and subsequently as founding winemaker at Luna. Kongsgaard now devotes himself exclusively to his own brand, Kongsgaard, and to Arietta. Kongsgaard becomes Arietta’s consulting winemaker in July 2006.

Andy Erickson, Arietta’s consulting winemaker, is one of the most accomplished winemakers of his generation. After working at wineries in Napa and South America, including an apprenticeship with John Kongsgaard at Newton Vineyards in 1994-5, Erickson brokered barrels to top California wineries, and enrolled in the Viticulture and Enology program at the University of California at Davis, from which he earned his Master’s Degree in 2000. Erickson has since worked as assistant winemaker for Harlan, and as winemaker for Staglin in the 2001 and 2002 vintages. Erickson now makes wine for Hartwell and Ovid, as well as Favia, which he co-owns with his wife Annie, a viticulturist. Erickson joined Arietta in July 2005 as consulting winemaker and developed Arietta’s first ever white wine, Arietta On The White Keys 2005. Erickson becomes Arietta’s winemaker in July 2006.