Patz & Hall co-founder James Hall is still pinching himself: After selling the iconic California Chardonnay brand in 2016, Hall was able to buy it back earlier this year. He tells us how he did it, and then takes us all the way back to landing his first winery gig in Napa … by pretending he could speak Italian?!

Straight Talk host James Molesworth also welcomes Wine Spectator senior editors MaryAnn Worobiec and Mitch Frank to the newest episode. Dr. Vinny explains malolactic fermentation, James and Mitch take a hard look at the 2023 Bordeaux futures campaign, and much more.

And don't forget, there's always more free content at WineSpectator.com!

• Patz & Hall Co-Founder James Hall Buys His Winery Back

• 2023 Bordeaux Barrel Tastings and Futures Campaign

• Wine Spectator's June 30, 2024, issue

• Latest News and Headlines

• Ask Dr. Vinny

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A podcast from Wine Spectator

Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher

Host: James Molesworth

Director: Robert Taylor

Producer: Gabriela Saldivia

Guests: James Hall, Mitch Frank, MaryAnn Worobiec

Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.