- Clayton Fritz - Proprietor, Fritz Winery
- James Hall - Founder & Winemaker, Patz & Hall
Showing posts with label PATZ & HALL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PATZ & HALL. Show all posts
Monday, February 28, 2022
Monday, December 4, 2017
12/4 HOLIDAY COCKTAILS AND PARTY TIPS WITH JEN ACKRILL FROM SKY AND TOP OF WAIKIKI, JAMES HALL, PATZ & HALL
JEN ACKRILL - DIRECTOR OF MIXOLOGY, SKY AND TOP OF WAIKIKI - HOLIDAY COCKTAILS AND PARTY TIPS
Jen Ackrill is the Director of Mixology for Sky and Top of Waikiki. With a career spanning more than 17 years, she has developed cocktail programs for some of San Francisco’s premier watering holes including Rye—one of The City's first modern craft cocktail bars. Here is where Jen developed her signature style, creating vibrant and dynamic original libations that take a nod from history, at a guests whim based on individual spirits, emotions, or a string of adjectives sewn together. She is a featured bartender on Liquor.com's educational video series and has competed in many cocktail competitions including Speed Rack, an all women's speed and craft cocktail competition, which aims to raise money for breast cancer research while spotlighting talented female bartenders across the globe.
Passionate about her craft, Jen traveled throughout Europe to further expand her knowledge, finally relocating to Honolulu in August 2014 to spearhead and redevelop the beverage program for the Top of Waikiki and then in August of 2015 expanded that program to include Sky Waikiki – Hawaii's ultimate rooftop experience. Taking cues from Hawaii's rich history and local fresh ingredients, Jen seeks to create thoughtful seasonal menus for our local family as well as Honolulu's many travelers to keep them both returning to the breathtaking venues high above Waikiki Beach. She has recently decided to no longer participate in cocktail competitions there are too many beaches in Hawaii that she has yet to discover.
All About SKY Waikiki, Rooftop Restaurant, Lounge & Nightclub
Towering dramatically like the cliffs from the ocean, 19 stories above the heart of Waikiki, SKY Waikiki takes paradise to a new level for tourists and locals. Experience Hawaii as it was meant to be: the light tropical breeze and the best panoramic view of Waikiki as the vivid sun sets into the clear blue waters of the Pacific. As the only rooftop restaurant, lounge, and nightclub in Hawaii, SKY Waikiki guarantees you a one-of-a-kind experience overlooking Diamond Head and the glittering Honolulu city lights.
JAMES HALL - FOUNDER-WINEMAKER, PATZ & HALL
Patz & Hall was founded in 1988 by four talented individuals - Donald Patz, James Hall, Anne Moses and Heather Patz. Together, they have turned Patz & Hall into one of California's most highly regarded wineries, with a celebrated portfolio of single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.
PARTNERS
The seeds for Patz & Hall were planted in the 1980s when assistant winemaker James Hall and national sales manager Donald Patz struck up a close friendship while working together at Flora Springs Winery and Vineyards. The two discovered a mutual enthusiasm for a rich and compelling style of wine made by applying traditional winemaking techniques to fruit from elite, small vineyards. Inspired to combine their winemaking and sales talents, James and Donald joined with partners Anne Moses and Heather Patz, to establish Patz & Hall in 1988.
To achieve their goal of crafting exceptional limited-production wines, the four founders have each focused their specialized knowledge, expertise and daily attention to different areas of the winery's operations. This integrated, hands-on approach, along with a commitment to developing close personal relationships with a handful of California 's finest growers, has become the cornerstone of the winery's success—allowing Patz & Hall to continually realize the highest levels of quality and consistency.
Jen Ackrill is the Director of Mixology for Sky and Top of Waikiki. With a career spanning more than 17 years, she has developed cocktail programs for some of San Francisco’s premier watering holes including Rye—one of The City's first modern craft cocktail bars. Here is where Jen developed her signature style, creating vibrant and dynamic original libations that take a nod from history, at a guests whim based on individual spirits, emotions, or a string of adjectives sewn together. She is a featured bartender on Liquor.com's educational video series and has competed in many cocktail competitions including Speed Rack, an all women's speed and craft cocktail competition, which aims to raise money for breast cancer research while spotlighting talented female bartenders across the globe.
Passionate about her craft, Jen traveled throughout Europe to further expand her knowledge, finally relocating to Honolulu in August 2014 to spearhead and redevelop the beverage program for the Top of Waikiki and then in August of 2015 expanded that program to include Sky Waikiki – Hawaii's ultimate rooftop experience. Taking cues from Hawaii's rich history and local fresh ingredients, Jen seeks to create thoughtful seasonal menus for our local family as well as Honolulu's many travelers to keep them both returning to the breathtaking venues high above Waikiki Beach. She has recently decided to no longer participate in cocktail competitions there are too many beaches in Hawaii that she has yet to discover.
All About SKY Waikiki, Rooftop Restaurant, Lounge & Nightclub
Towering dramatically like the cliffs from the ocean, 19 stories above the heart of Waikiki, SKY Waikiki takes paradise to a new level for tourists and locals. Experience Hawaii as it was meant to be: the light tropical breeze and the best panoramic view of Waikiki as the vivid sun sets into the clear blue waters of the Pacific. As the only rooftop restaurant, lounge, and nightclub in Hawaii, SKY Waikiki guarantees you a one-of-a-kind experience overlooking Diamond Head and the glittering Honolulu city lights.
JAMES HALL - FOUNDER-WINEMAKER, PATZ & HALL
Patz & Hall was founded in 1988 by four talented individuals - Donald Patz, James Hall, Anne Moses and Heather Patz. Together, they have turned Patz & Hall into one of California's most highly regarded wineries, with a celebrated portfolio of single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.
PARTNERS
The seeds for Patz & Hall were planted in the 1980s when assistant winemaker James Hall and national sales manager Donald Patz struck up a close friendship while working together at Flora Springs Winery and Vineyards. The two discovered a mutual enthusiasm for a rich and compelling style of wine made by applying traditional winemaking techniques to fruit from elite, small vineyards. Inspired to combine their winemaking and sales talents, James and Donald joined with partners Anne Moses and Heather Patz, to establish Patz & Hall in 1988.
To achieve their goal of crafting exceptional limited-production wines, the four founders have each focused their specialized knowledge, expertise and daily attention to different areas of the winery's operations. This integrated, hands-on approach, along with a commitment to developing close personal relationships with a handful of California 's finest growers, has become the cornerstone of the winery's success—allowing Patz & Hall to continually realize the highest levels of quality and consistency.
Monday, June 13, 2016
06/13 SHELLEY KEKUNA, KAANAPALI BEACH RESORT ASSOCIATION, HEATHER PATZ, PATZ & HALL
SHELLEY KEKUNA - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KAANAPALI BEACH RESORT ASSOCIATION
KAANAPALI. WHERE THE WORLD COMES TO PLAY.
Kaanapali is a three-mile stretch of beach that has been touted as one of the best beaches on Maui, and even in America. Long ago, these sands and lush gardens were enjoyed by Hawaiian kings and queens who sought a relaxing, rejuvenating retreat. The land itself was once comprised of green sugar cane and taro, grown with the help of the Maui sun and a freshwater spring. This magical spot is steeped in culture, from when it was used as a training ground for Hawaiian warriors in ancient times, to the romantic days of “Old Hawaii” in the ’30s and ’40s, to the present.
Today, couples, friends, and families still gravitate here for all this renowned beach has to offer, but also for its fabulous resorts and condos. And Kaanapali Beach Resort provides the best of the best, with easy access to everything you want to see and do. For beauty, excitement, convenience, and comfort, it simply can’t be matched.
KAANAPALIRESORT.COM
HEATHER PATZ – FOUNDER, PATZ & HALL
ABOUT HEATHER PATZ:
Heather Patz has been actively involved in Patz & Hall since its founding in 1988, contributing her unique mix of style and skill to the success of the winery. Her enthusiasm for sharing the culture of wine, combined with her warm, hospitable nature has helped to define the personality of Patz & Hall, and its gracious approach to customer relations.
In the early years of Patz & Hall, Heather managed administrative and accounting responsibilities for the winery. In addition to overseeing the office, Heather contributed to the production process wherever possible, from sorting fruit to sampling grapes. A passionate spokesperson for Patz & Hall, Heather’s role soon evolved to include hospitality and consumer relations. In this capacity, she was instrumental in establishing Patz & Hall’s Salon Society, thereby ensuring loyal customers access to the winery’s most sought-after releases. Building on the success of the Salon Society, Heather helped to design and establish the intimate and beautifully appointed Patz & Hall Tasting Salon with its focus on seated, private tastings of the winery’s acclaimed Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
As a founding partner, Heather continues to participate in all important decisions affecting Patz & Hall. In addition, she remains actively involved in the winery’s hospitality program, helping to organize and host club dinners, tastings and fundraisers. Just as important, Heather champions an intimate, hands-on approach to customer relations. Whether she is helping long-time customers plan a trip to wine country, conducting in-home tastings for Patz & Hall aficionados, or personally making phone calls or writing thank-you notes to Salon members, Heather believes in the value of making real and lasting connections with Patz & Hall’s customers. In keeping with this warm, authentic approach, Heather also helps to spearhead Patz & Hall’s involvement with a variety of charitable causes, both locally and nationally. Outside of her work for Patz & Hall, Heather dedicates much of her free time to working with church and community-based organizations on behalf of children and families in need.
PATZ & HALL LEGENDARY VINEYARDS, RENOWNED WINES
Patz & Hall was founded in 1988 by four talented individuals: Donald Patz, James Hall, Anne Moses and Heather Patz. Together, they have turned Patz & Hall into one of California’s most highly regarded wineries with a celebrated portfolio of single-vineyard wines. Though Patz & Hall was not the first California winery to make vineyard-designate Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, it was one of the first to introduce these wines to a wider audience outside of wine clubs and tasting rooms.
To achieve their goal of making exceptional limited-production wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the four founders each focus their specialized knowledge and expertise on different areas of the winery’s operations. This integrated approach, along with a commitment to developing close personal relationships with many of California’s finest growers—people like Larry Hyde, Lee Hudson and the Martinelli and Pisoni families—have become the cornerstones of the winery’s success, allowing Patz & Hall to realize the highest levels of quality and consistency. Patz & Hall makes all of its wines in a state-of-the-art winery in Sonoma designed by Winemaker James Hall. This purpose-built winery allows the Patz & Hall team complete control during every step of the winemaking process. In the winery, Patz & Hall applies both traditional and cutting-edge techniques, including a unique, custom barrel program, where stave wood is air dried and seasoned for three years to Patz & Hall’s specifications by the François Frères and Seguin Moreau cooperages in the heart of Burgundy. To reveal the distinct identity of the legendary sites it works with, Patz & Hall applies a consistent winemaking approach that has been refined to underscore the finesse, depth and complexity of each vineyard. Located in the Sonoma Coast, Carneros (Napa Valley), Russian River Valley, Mendocino County and Santa Lucia Highlands, these vineyards span California’s finest winegrowing regions.
In 2014, the four founders unveiled the stunning new Sonoma House at Patz & Hall. Located in the heart of Sonoma wine country, amid a majestic backdrop of vineyards and mountains, the Sonoma House is an idyllic setting for enjoying Patz & Hall’s acclaimed Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
NEW SONOMA HOUSE AT PATZ & HALL IS UNVEILED
Located in the heart of Sonoma wine country, the Sonoma House at Patz & Hall features enhanced visitor amenities and a 12-acre estate vineyard.
Patz & Hall is happy to announce the opening of its new Sonoma House at Patz & Hall at 21200 8th Street East, just a few miles south of the Sonoma town square. Located near the Highway 12 corridor, against a backdrop of vineyards and mountains, the Sonoma House features a luxurious new Tasting Salon. Guests at the Tasting Salon are welcomed for private, by-appointment seated tastings of Patz & Hall’s acclaimed vineyard-designate Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, paired with gourmet savory panna cotta food complements. The new Sonoma House also offers alfresco Terrace Tastings featuring wines paired with a locally sourced cheese plate. In addition, the new location includes a drop-in tasting bar, a member-exclusive Reserve Room and an expansive patio surrounded by 12 acres of estate vineyards newly planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The Sonoma House Salon welcomes guests for by-appointment tastings Thursday through Monday at 10:30 am, 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm. These seated, private tastings include six Chardonnay and Pinot Noir single-vineyard-designate wines, paired with locally sourced gourmet food complements to enhance the tasting experience. The Salon experience is $60 per person and lasts approximately 60 minutes.
The Sonoma House also offers seated, by-appointment tastings at its stylish tasting bar, Thursday through Monday. These tastings begin on the hour starting at 10 a.m. with the last tasting at 4 p.m. The tasting bar experience features four Patz & Hall wines served in an intimate group setting at the 12-seat marble bar, at a cost of $30 per person. Tasting bar guests may also purchase cheese plates exclusively featuring artisan Sonoma County cheeses, as well as select prepared specialty items from the Sonoma House shop. Drop-in tasting bar guests are accommodated if space is available.
In addition, throughout 2014 and 2015, Patz & Hall partnered with California Home+Design and 7x7 magazine to host installations by artists and designers featured in both publications at the Sonoma House.
WWW.PATZHALL.COM
Kaanapali is a three-mile stretch of beach that has been touted as one of the best beaches on Maui, and even in America. Long ago, these sands and lush gardens were enjoyed by Hawaiian kings and queens who sought a relaxing, rejuvenating retreat. The land itself was once comprised of green sugar cane and taro, grown with the help of the Maui sun and a freshwater spring. This magical spot is steeped in culture, from when it was used as a training ground for Hawaiian warriors in ancient times, to the romantic days of “Old Hawaii” in the ’30s and ’40s, to the present.
Today, couples, friends, and families still gravitate here for all this renowned beach has to offer, but also for its fabulous resorts and condos. And Kaanapali Beach Resort provides the best of the best, with easy access to everything you want to see and do. For beauty, excitement, convenience, and comfort, it simply can’t be matched.
KAANAPALIRESORT.COM
HEATHER PATZ – FOUNDER, PATZ & HALL
Heather Patz has been actively involved in Patz & Hall since its founding in 1988, contributing her unique mix of style and skill to the success of the winery. Her enthusiasm for sharing the culture of wine, combined with her warm, hospitable nature has helped to define the personality of Patz & Hall, and its gracious approach to customer relations.
In the early years of Patz & Hall, Heather managed administrative and accounting responsibilities for the winery. In addition to overseeing the office, Heather contributed to the production process wherever possible, from sorting fruit to sampling grapes. A passionate spokesperson for Patz & Hall, Heather’s role soon evolved to include hospitality and consumer relations. In this capacity, she was instrumental in establishing Patz & Hall’s Salon Society, thereby ensuring loyal customers access to the winery’s most sought-after releases. Building on the success of the Salon Society, Heather helped to design and establish the intimate and beautifully appointed Patz & Hall Tasting Salon with its focus on seated, private tastings of the winery’s acclaimed Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
As a founding partner, Heather continues to participate in all important decisions affecting Patz & Hall. In addition, she remains actively involved in the winery’s hospitality program, helping to organize and host club dinners, tastings and fundraisers. Just as important, Heather champions an intimate, hands-on approach to customer relations. Whether she is helping long-time customers plan a trip to wine country, conducting in-home tastings for Patz & Hall aficionados, or personally making phone calls or writing thank-you notes to Salon members, Heather believes in the value of making real and lasting connections with Patz & Hall’s customers. In keeping with this warm, authentic approach, Heather also helps to spearhead Patz & Hall’s involvement with a variety of charitable causes, both locally and nationally. Outside of her work for Patz & Hall, Heather dedicates much of her free time to working with church and community-based organizations on behalf of children and families in need.
PATZ & HALL LEGENDARY VINEYARDS, RENOWNED WINES
Patz & Hall was founded in 1988 by four talented individuals: Donald Patz, James Hall, Anne Moses and Heather Patz. Together, they have turned Patz & Hall into one of California’s most highly regarded wineries with a celebrated portfolio of single-vineyard wines. Though Patz & Hall was not the first California winery to make vineyard-designate Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, it was one of the first to introduce these wines to a wider audience outside of wine clubs and tasting rooms.
To achieve their goal of making exceptional limited-production wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the four founders each focus their specialized knowledge and expertise on different areas of the winery’s operations. This integrated approach, along with a commitment to developing close personal relationships with many of California’s finest growers—people like Larry Hyde, Lee Hudson and the Martinelli and Pisoni families—have become the cornerstones of the winery’s success, allowing Patz & Hall to realize the highest levels of quality and consistency. Patz & Hall makes all of its wines in a state-of-the-art winery in Sonoma designed by Winemaker James Hall. This purpose-built winery allows the Patz & Hall team complete control during every step of the winemaking process. In the winery, Patz & Hall applies both traditional and cutting-edge techniques, including a unique, custom barrel program, where stave wood is air dried and seasoned for three years to Patz & Hall’s specifications by the François Frères and Seguin Moreau cooperages in the heart of Burgundy. To reveal the distinct identity of the legendary sites it works with, Patz & Hall applies a consistent winemaking approach that has been refined to underscore the finesse, depth and complexity of each vineyard. Located in the Sonoma Coast, Carneros (Napa Valley), Russian River Valley, Mendocino County and Santa Lucia Highlands, these vineyards span California’s finest winegrowing regions.
In 2014, the four founders unveiled the stunning new Sonoma House at Patz & Hall. Located in the heart of Sonoma wine country, amid a majestic backdrop of vineyards and mountains, the Sonoma House is an idyllic setting for enjoying Patz & Hall’s acclaimed Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
NEW SONOMA HOUSE AT PATZ & HALL IS UNVEILED
Located in the heart of Sonoma wine country, the Sonoma House at Patz & Hall features enhanced visitor amenities and a 12-acre estate vineyard.
Patz & Hall is happy to announce the opening of its new Sonoma House at Patz & Hall at 21200 8th Street East, just a few miles south of the Sonoma town square. Located near the Highway 12 corridor, against a backdrop of vineyards and mountains, the Sonoma House features a luxurious new Tasting Salon. Guests at the Tasting Salon are welcomed for private, by-appointment seated tastings of Patz & Hall’s acclaimed vineyard-designate Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, paired with gourmet savory panna cotta food complements. The new Sonoma House also offers alfresco Terrace Tastings featuring wines paired with a locally sourced cheese plate. In addition, the new location includes a drop-in tasting bar, a member-exclusive Reserve Room and an expansive patio surrounded by 12 acres of estate vineyards newly planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The Sonoma House Salon welcomes guests for by-appointment tastings Thursday through Monday at 10:30 am, 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm. These seated, private tastings include six Chardonnay and Pinot Noir single-vineyard-designate wines, paired with locally sourced gourmet food complements to enhance the tasting experience. The Salon experience is $60 per person and lasts approximately 60 minutes.
The Sonoma House also offers seated, by-appointment tastings at its stylish tasting bar, Thursday through Monday. These tastings begin on the hour starting at 10 a.m. with the last tasting at 4 p.m. The tasting bar experience features four Patz & Hall wines served in an intimate group setting at the 12-seat marble bar, at a cost of $30 per person. Tasting bar guests may also purchase cheese plates exclusively featuring artisan Sonoma County cheeses, as well as select prepared specialty items from the Sonoma House shop. Drop-in tasting bar guests are accommodated if space is available.
In addition, throughout 2014 and 2015, Patz & Hall partnered with California Home+Design and 7x7 magazine to host installations by artists and designers featured in both publications at the Sonoma House.
WWW.PATZHALL.COM
Monday, January 18, 2016
01/18 JAMES HALL, PATZ & HALL, DON SCHROEDER, SEA SMOKE
JAMES HALL – OWNER/WINEMAKER, PATZ & HALL
Patz & Hall was founded in 1988 by four talented individuals - Donald Patz, James Hall, Anne Moses and Heather Patz. Together, they have turned Patz & Hall into one of California’s most highly regarded wineries, with a celebrated portfolio of single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.
WINEMAKING
At Patz & Hall, our approach to winemaking champions quality at every stage of the process. From our partnerships with the finest vineyards to the custom-made French oak cooperage used to age our small-lot Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, we bring together an array of artisan and cutting-edge techniques to create benchmark wines. In our state-of-the-art winery—which was designed exclusively for producing Chardonnay and Pinot—we apply a consistent winemaking style that allows us to find the voice of each vineyard and vintage, while achieving exceptional quality year after year.
OUR WINES
For over 25 years, we have remained committed to handcrafting small-lot and single-vineyard wines, with an exclusive focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Produced using grapes from storied vineyards in the Napa Valley, Russian River Valley, Mendocino County, Sonoma Coast and Santa Lucia Highlands, these benchmark wines embody our passionate approach to winemaking, and the diversity of world-class California winegrowing.
ABOUT JAMES HALL
Since 1988, founder and winemaker James Hall has guided the Patz & Hall winemaking program, instilling it with his own boldness, imagination and trademark perfectionism. Combining a belief in great viticulture, traditional winemaking practices, and the judicious use of innovative techniques, James has earned a reputation for crafting dramatic benchmark Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that balance vibrant power with vineyard-inspired depth and sophistication.
The son of an English professor, who was also a wine enthusiast, James developed an early appreciation for fine wine during travels with his family to Europe in the late 1960s. While studying liberal arts at the University of California, Santa Cruz, James met Anne Moses, and together the two began exploring their shared interest in wine. Though not part of his curriculum, James started studying winemaking textbooks in his spare time. Inspired, he transferred to the University of California, Davis, to study viticulture and enology. Eager to experience the hands-on work of winemaking, James took his first winery job at Felton-Empire in 1981, where he was able to learn from renowned winemakers Leo McCloskey and Patrick Mahaney. “Leo was the scientist, obsessed with unraveling the mysteries of wine, Pat was the craftsman, meticulously working with the raw materials. It was a remarkable experience learning these complementary approaches.”
In 1983, James joined Napa Valley’s Flora Springs Winery and Vineyards as assistant winemaker. There, he spent four years developing his expertise crafting barrel-fermented, small-lot Chardonnays. While at Flora Springs, James struck up a close friendship with sales manager Donald Patz, and the two soon discovered that they shared a similar philosophical approach to wine and winemaking. In the spring of 1988, while working as the winemaker and estate manager for Honig Winery, James teamed up with Donald and Heather Patz, and Anne Moses to make and release Patz & Hall’s inaugural Napa Valley Chardonnay.
As Patz & Hall’s winemaker for over a quarter century, James has built lasting relationships with such renowned growers as Larry Hyde, Charlie and Bud Chenoweth, Gary Pisoni and Lee Martinelli to create an acclaimed portfolio of single-vineyard wines. At the same time, he has designed and implemented cutting-edge equipment and procedures, including a custom punch-over device, in an effort to constantly enhance quality. A master of his craft, and a widely respected veteran winemaker, James is regularly asked to speak about artisan winemaking.
WWW.PATZHALL.COM
DON SCHROEDER – WINEMAKER, SEA SMOKE
Our estate vineyard is located in the world’s southernmost - and sunniest - Region 1 microclimate, which has the coolest temperatures for grape growing. The Pacific Ocean fog funnels across our hillsides each afternoon, creating ideal growing conditions
Our Pinot Noir vines are planted on south-facing hillside bluffs, in ‘transition zones’ characterized by rich clay soils, aiding us in our quest for quality. This is where Pinot Noir finds its most sublime expression.
Our entire vineyard is farmed biodynamically, because nurturing the soil and vines without harsh chemicals is the right thing to do for the land and for our customers. Sea Smoke’s unique combination of sun, fog, soil and meticulous farming results in wines that are lush, elegant and expressive.
OUR STORY
While our small team would love to take credit, if there’s a star in the Sea Smoke story, it’s not a person, but the rare and magical property that for years local vintners coveted for its potential to grow great Pinot Noir. In 1999, this land in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Santa Rita Hills AVA became Sea Smoke Vineyard. Located on south-facing hillside bluffs, our Sea Smoke Estate receives plenty of sunshine – but then, so does most of California. What makes our vineyard truly special is its shallow clay soils, south facing slopes, and the layer of marine fog (sea “smoke”) that travels up the Santa Ynez River canyon each evening, cooling our vines. This cooling influence makes extended ‘hangtime’ possible prior to harvest – allowing flavors and tannins to fully mature, while still maintaining lovely acidity. This results in wines that are lush, elegant and expressive.
Because we are an estate winery and the California equivalent of a ‘Monopole’, we do not buy or sell grapes. Our obsession with Pinot Noir has its roots – literally and figuratively – in our estate vineyard, and our obsession is apparent in the way we farm. We strive for low crop yields and small grape clusters, so our vineyard is planted with ten top-quality Pinot Noir clones on vigor-reducing rootstocks. Every one of our vines receives individual care and handling from our vineyard crew at least eight times a year – every single vine. Since our estate vineyard will hopefully outlast us all, we decided to be good stewards of the land: we have been farming sustainably for over a decade, and in 2013 we went beyond organic and began farming our entire vineyard biodynamically.
Because lab tests never tell the whole story, we ultimately rely on our taste buds to decide when to begin harvesting individual blocks. The east and west sides of each block are usually picked at different times, for example, and after hand harvesting, grapes are chilled overnight, pre-sorted, de-stemmed and then carefully table sorted. Meanwhile, we evaluate the clonal characteristics and tannin profile of each and every harvested block, tailoring our corresponding fermentations accordingly. We keep each block and clone combination separate throughout fermentation and aging. This helps us develop a deep understanding of the characteristics of each vineyard block, observing how each responds to specific barrel profiles in our cellar, and ultimately gives us an array of flavors and characteristics to draw upon during blending.
Since our wines are made in limited quantities and can be difficult to find, Sea Smoke allocates to members through our List. The List is fair and uncomplicated. Joining The List guarantees an allocation once activated. Unlike wine clubs, we require no minimum purchase commitment or cost to join.
WWW.SEASMOKE.COM
WINEMAKING
At Patz & Hall, our approach to winemaking champions quality at every stage of the process. From our partnerships with the finest vineyards to the custom-made French oak cooperage used to age our small-lot Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, we bring together an array of artisan and cutting-edge techniques to create benchmark wines. In our state-of-the-art winery—which was designed exclusively for producing Chardonnay and Pinot—we apply a consistent winemaking style that allows us to find the voice of each vineyard and vintage, while achieving exceptional quality year after year.
OUR WINES
For over 25 years, we have remained committed to handcrafting small-lot and single-vineyard wines, with an exclusive focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Produced using grapes from storied vineyards in the Napa Valley, Russian River Valley, Mendocino County, Sonoma Coast and Santa Lucia Highlands, these benchmark wines embody our passionate approach to winemaking, and the diversity of world-class California winegrowing.
ABOUT JAMES HALL
Since 1988, founder and winemaker James Hall has guided the Patz & Hall winemaking program, instilling it with his own boldness, imagination and trademark perfectionism. Combining a belief in great viticulture, traditional winemaking practices, and the judicious use of innovative techniques, James has earned a reputation for crafting dramatic benchmark Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that balance vibrant power with vineyard-inspired depth and sophistication.
The son of an English professor, who was also a wine enthusiast, James developed an early appreciation for fine wine during travels with his family to Europe in the late 1960s. While studying liberal arts at the University of California, Santa Cruz, James met Anne Moses, and together the two began exploring their shared interest in wine. Though not part of his curriculum, James started studying winemaking textbooks in his spare time. Inspired, he transferred to the University of California, Davis, to study viticulture and enology. Eager to experience the hands-on work of winemaking, James took his first winery job at Felton-Empire in 1981, where he was able to learn from renowned winemakers Leo McCloskey and Patrick Mahaney. “Leo was the scientist, obsessed with unraveling the mysteries of wine, Pat was the craftsman, meticulously working with the raw materials. It was a remarkable experience learning these complementary approaches.”
In 1983, James joined Napa Valley’s Flora Springs Winery and Vineyards as assistant winemaker. There, he spent four years developing his expertise crafting barrel-fermented, small-lot Chardonnays. While at Flora Springs, James struck up a close friendship with sales manager Donald Patz, and the two soon discovered that they shared a similar philosophical approach to wine and winemaking. In the spring of 1988, while working as the winemaker and estate manager for Honig Winery, James teamed up with Donald and Heather Patz, and Anne Moses to make and release Patz & Hall’s inaugural Napa Valley Chardonnay.
As Patz & Hall’s winemaker for over a quarter century, James has built lasting relationships with such renowned growers as Larry Hyde, Charlie and Bud Chenoweth, Gary Pisoni and Lee Martinelli to create an acclaimed portfolio of single-vineyard wines. At the same time, he has designed and implemented cutting-edge equipment and procedures, including a custom punch-over device, in an effort to constantly enhance quality. A master of his craft, and a widely respected veteran winemaker, James is regularly asked to speak about artisan winemaking.
WWW.PATZHALL.COM
DON SCHROEDER – WINEMAKER, SEA SMOKE
Our Pinot Noir vines are planted on south-facing hillside bluffs, in ‘transition zones’ characterized by rich clay soils, aiding us in our quest for quality. This is where Pinot Noir finds its most sublime expression.
Our entire vineyard is farmed biodynamically, because nurturing the soil and vines without harsh chemicals is the right thing to do for the land and for our customers. Sea Smoke’s unique combination of sun, fog, soil and meticulous farming results in wines that are lush, elegant and expressive.
OUR STORY
While our small team would love to take credit, if there’s a star in the Sea Smoke story, it’s not a person, but the rare and magical property that for years local vintners coveted for its potential to grow great Pinot Noir. In 1999, this land in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Santa Rita Hills AVA became Sea Smoke Vineyard. Located on south-facing hillside bluffs, our Sea Smoke Estate receives plenty of sunshine – but then, so does most of California. What makes our vineyard truly special is its shallow clay soils, south facing slopes, and the layer of marine fog (sea “smoke”) that travels up the Santa Ynez River canyon each evening, cooling our vines. This cooling influence makes extended ‘hangtime’ possible prior to harvest – allowing flavors and tannins to fully mature, while still maintaining lovely acidity. This results in wines that are lush, elegant and expressive.
Because we are an estate winery and the California equivalent of a ‘Monopole’, we do not buy or sell grapes. Our obsession with Pinot Noir has its roots – literally and figuratively – in our estate vineyard, and our obsession is apparent in the way we farm. We strive for low crop yields and small grape clusters, so our vineyard is planted with ten top-quality Pinot Noir clones on vigor-reducing rootstocks. Every one of our vines receives individual care and handling from our vineyard crew at least eight times a year – every single vine. Since our estate vineyard will hopefully outlast us all, we decided to be good stewards of the land: we have been farming sustainably for over a decade, and in 2013 we went beyond organic and began farming our entire vineyard biodynamically.
Because lab tests never tell the whole story, we ultimately rely on our taste buds to decide when to begin harvesting individual blocks. The east and west sides of each block are usually picked at different times, for example, and after hand harvesting, grapes are chilled overnight, pre-sorted, de-stemmed and then carefully table sorted. Meanwhile, we evaluate the clonal characteristics and tannin profile of each and every harvested block, tailoring our corresponding fermentations accordingly. We keep each block and clone combination separate throughout fermentation and aging. This helps us develop a deep understanding of the characteristics of each vineyard block, observing how each responds to specific barrel profiles in our cellar, and ultimately gives us an array of flavors and characteristics to draw upon during blending.
Since our wines are made in limited quantities and can be difficult to find, Sea Smoke allocates to members through our List. The List is fair and uncomplicated. Joining The List guarantees an allocation once activated. Unlike wine clubs, we require no minimum purchase commitment or cost to join.
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