Why Visit Patz & Hall Winery?
Pinot Noir is one of my all time favorite varietals and it’s safe to say I’ve had a wide array of styles of this special wine. However, I’ve never had a Pinot Noir quite like those of Patz & Hall in Sonoma. Let’s just say I’m a HUGE fan of this Sonoma gem.
This picturesque winery is located just a quick 10 minute drive from downtown Sonoma, making it the perfect stop after you’ve savored a Rhône inspired meal at the ever popular The Girl & The Fig. My family and I discovered Patz & Hall on our Christmas 2016 holiday to Northern California wine country. We wanted one last wine tasting stop following a delicious lunch at El Dorado Kitchen in downtown Sonoma before heading home down south. My parents had made an appointment at The Sonoma House at Patz & Hall knowing how much I love Pinot Noir and I have been in love ever since.
Patz & Hall Winery
Patz & Hall specializes in single vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, sourcing from the very best small, family-owned vineyards of the two varietals in Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino. By focusing on the two varietals, Patz & Hall is able to elevate the defining characteristics of each vineyard and produces wines with impressive depth and elegant nuances that remain true to the terroir of the vineyard from which they came. In my opinion, this is one of the most exciting aspects of wine – getting a sense of a new place simply by opening a bottle and having a taste.
In addition to exquisite wines, Patz & Hall has a gorgeous tasting room and extremely hospitable staff. Hospitality done well makes you feel at home and that is definitely the vibe you get when tasting at this winery. Be sure to call ahead for an appointment and take in the views as you drive up the long, polished, cypress-lined driveway leading to the tasting room. You can wine taste seated outdoors near the vines, at the wine bar or arm chairs inside, or in the cozy member lounge if you decide to join the wine club.
My dad was kind enough to surprise me with a Patz & Hall wine club membership after our Christmas 2016 visit. We opted for the all Pinot Noir option, as I have never been a big Chardonnay drinker. However, upon tasting some absolutely lovely Chardonnays during our Christmas 2017 visit to Patz & Hall, I decided to change my wine club shipments to now receive both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Yes, the Chardonnay was that good!! So even if you don’t fancy yourself a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, I still recommend booking a visit to Patz & Hall because these refined, single-vineyard wines might just change your mind and open some new doors for you into the world of wine!
Tasting Notes
2015 Durell Vineyard Chardonnay | Sonoma Valley | 15 Barrels
2014 Zio Tony Ranch Chardonnay | Russian River Valley | 22 Barrels
2014 Moses-Hall Vineyard Pinot Noir | Carneros | 23 Barrels
2014 Bootlegger’s Hill Pinot Noir | Russian River Valley | 20 Barrels