November 2023 marked the launch of the Solms-Delta Wine Company, a new venture established to continue the ambitious journey of land restitution and community upliftment that was begun by Mark Solms in 2001, with the founding of the Solms-Delta Wine Estate.
While Mark’s goals were laudable, between the cost of land restitution and the economic challenges of the wine industry, his dream of community upliftment and workers holding the title deed to the lands they worked, proved a bridge too far.
Enter Tommy Hall, who, with his wife Crystal and son Gavin, wanted to carve out a life on the continent with which they feel a deep kinship. A chance encounter led Tommy to the gates of the historic Solms-Delta, where the family found the promise of new adventure and an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of the community.
CEO Tommy Hall, with the first two official wines released by the Solms-Delta Wine Company.
Tell us a little about your personal background and career leading up to the venture with Solms-Delta?Â
[TH] I was born in Michigan and moved to Texas in the early 80s, where I attended primary, secondary and college. Although, my career started in finance, the majority has been in the technology industry. My wife, Crystal, was born in Louisiana and spent much of her life there until coming to Texas in the early 90s. Her career path has centred around real estate with licenses in Texas and Georgia. We decided that our retirement should be doing something we love and have a community impact quotient. Solms-Delta Wine Company achieves both.
What is the most exciting development in the world of business and how might this affect the way we do business?
[TH] The re-introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the most dominant topic in business today. The reality is “AI” research and development has been around for over 50 years. The development of Generative AI, like ChatGPT, is what drives the current excitement.
Enablement of AI in the wine industry has already started and will continue to grow over the next decade. Farmers will use it to determine which hectares to farm and varietals to plant. Winemakers will use it to compare sugar an acidity levels of the current harvest against those in the 1800s. AI will be transformative to our industry.
Which values or principles do you look for in a new acquisition that can increase its chances for success?
[TH] An acquisition should be judged on its ability to (1) make a profit; (2) support the places in which they do business and (3) preserve the environment. The reason why airlines tell you to apply your oxygen mask before helping others is because someone needs to be conscious. Profit is like oxygen for a business. However, it can be obtained at the expense of all else. This is where supporting the community and protecting the environment are the other two legs of a successful business.
Which places or experiences do you cherish from your travels?
[TH] Our first experience to the African Continent was visiting Egypt to see the pyramids. This experience tapped into something we didn’t know existed: belonging. Between Crystal and I, we have been to every continent except Antarctica (2025 trip planned).
We always prioritise historical significance over political landscapes or Instagram photo potential. The main reason lies in allowing our son, Gavin, to have a worldview that is not bounded by what gets presented in high school history books. Through our travels, he has been able to interact with people from different cultures and all walks of life. That is something we would not change for anything.
What has your impression been of South Africa and its people, both as a tourist and a businessman?
[TH] South Africa represents a promise that was implanted in our hearts centuries ago. We have watched the travesty of apartheid lead to the challenges of the past 30 years. However, our investment proves that we see more opportunities than ever. The beautiful people, historical landscape and moderate climate all make South Africa a tourist dream destination. We are not content to just be passersby to what is described as the gateway to the African Continent.
What do you do for relaxation?
[TH] We listen to 50s/60s jazz and drink Solms-Delta wine!
