Straight Talk Podcast Episode 22: A Discussion with James Hall on Repurchasing Patz & Hall

Wine pioneer in California and a renowned figure in Chardonnay, talks about his ownership of a winery for the second time. In addition to this, the host James Molesworth shares his perspective on the 2023 Bordeaux.

Co-founder of Patz & Hall, James Hall, can’t believe his luck. He managed to re-acquire the celebrated California Chardonnay brand this year, after he’d previously sold it in 2016. He shares the entire process of how he pulled it off and traces his journey back to the time he secured his first winery job in Napa by feigning fluency in Italian.

James Molesworth, the host of Straight Talk, also welcomes senior editors MaryAnn Worobiec and Mitch Frank from the Wine Spectator to the latest episode. Dr. Vinny unravels the mystery behind malolactic fermentation, and James and Mitch scrutinize the 2023 Bordeaux futures campaign, along with much more, all in the latest episode of Wine Spectator’s Straight Talk podcast.

Debuting in October 2022, Straight Talk is now available on platforms like Apple, Google, Spotify and more, WineSpectator.com/podcast included. It has succeeded in drawing some of the biggest stars in the wine industry for candid, insightful, revealing, and occasionally comical conversations.

During Season 1, esteemed guests including winemakers Aubert de Villaine, Tim Mondavi, Tony Soter, Mark Aubert, Helen Keplinger, Thomas Rivers Brown, Greg Brewer and others, in addition to chefs like Thomas Keller and Marcus Samuelsson, joined the show. Other interesting personalities included NBA Hall of Famer and winery investor Tony Parker and film, TV and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc star Sarah Jessica Parker.

The Straight Talk podcast is highly recommended for anyone involved in the wine industry, providing consumers with an unrivaled personal connection to our skilled tasters that no other medium or podcast can provide, according to Wine Spectator‘s editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken, who was also a regular guest in the first season of Straight Talk.

Wine Spectator‘s Straight Talk podcast is accessible at no cost on all the major podcasting platforms, and additionally at WineSpectator.com/podcast. Listeners are also encouraged to send their queries and comments to StraightTalk@WineSpectator.com via email.

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About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!