Famed Sonoma Patz & Hall winery sells to Ste. Michelle Wine Estates

By Erin Smith

Published: 20 April, 2016

Sonoma Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producer Patz & Hall has been purchased by Washington wine company St. Michell Wine Estates for an undisclosed sum

Sonoma Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producer Patz & Hall winery has been purchased by Washington state wine company St. Michelle Wine Estates for an undisclosed sum.

"The families who founded Patz & Hall have created extraordinary Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, which complement the iconic wines in our luxury portfolio," said Ted Baseler, Ste. Michelle's president and chief executive officer, in statement.

The acquisition includes Patz & Hall's inventory, winemaking facility and visitor's center. The winery does not own any vineyards, but Patz & Hall sources its grapes from Carneros, the Sonoma Coast and the Russian River Valley.

Ste. Michelle is the seventh largest wine company in the United States and accounts for over half the of wine that is produced in Washington state. It is the first winery purchase for the company in Sonoma. However, the company is a part-owner of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, and owns both Conn Creek winery and Villa Mt. Eden winery in Napa.

Baseler said: "Patz & Hall is the ideal addition to our 'string of pearls' collection of domestic and international wineries."

The Patz & Hall owners had not put the winery up for sale when Ste. Michelle approached them about the potential purchase. The four founding partners, Donald Patz, James Hall, Anne Moses and Heather Patz will remain on with the business following the completion of the sale.

This is yet another merger and acquisition following a recent period of consolidation among producers currently happening in the United States market.

Constellation Brands announced earlier this month that it was purchasing the Prisoner Wine Co for USD$285 million.

That followed an earlier acquisition last year with Constellation paying USD$315 million for Meiomi to is portfolio.

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