Patz and Hall, Chardonnay Dutton Ranch, 2018

The Patz & Hall story is fascinating. The founder, James Hall, once owned a little vineyard producing some of the classiest, Burgundian style Chardonnay & Pinot Noir in the Sonoma.

Ste. Michelle, one of America's oldest and most decorated producers, bought the vineyard off James in 2016. They couldn't help but take notice of Patz & Hall - they thought the vineyard was the reason behind the magic.

But they were wrong. It was the man behind it all.

James cracked on with winemaking - without a vineyard, he sourced the best fruit he could from across the Sonoma and continued to make world-beating Chardonnay. So much so, that he was able to BUY HIS VINEYARD BACK from Ste. Michelle earlier this year.

Unusual for California, this is matured in Burgundian oak, with the staves air-dried and seasoned over 3 years to James's specifications. So you've got that Cali tropicality, with Burgundian finesse & balance.