Maritana ‘Le Russe’ Pinot Noir RRV 2018

In the Spring of 2016, the wine world was stunned by the news that Donald Patz had sold his iconic brand Patz & Hall to Chateau St. Michelle, the enormous Washington State winery for an undisclosed amount. Patz, who admitted in the sale’s press release that he had no intention of selling, was met with an offer he just couldn’t refuse and a deal was made quickly.

Patz left on great terms and with his sources of fruit, Hyde Vineyard, Hudson Vineyard, Dutton Ranch, Chenoweth Ranch, Gap’s Crown Vineyard, etc. but the other terms of the agreement weren’t known. What unfolded next was just about the industry’s worst kept secret.

It was painfully clear that Patz had signed some sort of non-compete in the agreement. After all, St. Michelle continued to use the iconic Patz & Hall name, and if you don’t read the wine news, you probably didn’t even know this took place. That’s what they’re banking on.

But Donald Patz wasn’t ready to hang up his cleats just yet. After taking just one harvest off to kick his feet up, he immediately dove into a new project the following May. But this time the name ‘Patz’ couldn’t come with him.

Though with his good buddies at Hyde, Hudson, Dutton Ranch and Chenoweth vineyards still on speed dial, the ‘Doctor of Pinot’ tapped into his special relationships to start a new chapter at Maritana and further cement his Hall of Fame legacy.