Joins Winemaker James McCeney to Lead Winery’s Next Chapter
(August 29, 2023 – Sonoma, Calif) – Sonoma’s esteemed Patz & Hall winery has hired Brianna Beighle as Assistant Winemaker, filling out the winemaking team. James McCeney, Patz & Hall’s Assistant Winemaker in 2012 and 2013, was appointed Winemaker at Patz & Hall in May.
Founder & Winemaker Emeritus James Hall hand selected McCeney and Beighle to take the winery to new heights. James Hall has made every vintage of Patz & Hall since the winery was founded in 1988 and helped build the winery’s reputation as one of the most recognized producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the U.S.
Beighle was attracted to Patz & Hall because of a shared philosophy. “Patz & Hall’s wine style nicely balances freshness on the palate with touches of oak to round out texture and the culture makes room for everyone’s expertise,” she said. “And most importantly, the growers and vineyards are the centerpieces.”
Beighle has over a decade of experience in viticulture and enology from some of Napa Valley’s top estates including Bryant Estate and Spotteswoode in St. Helena. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Viticulture & Enology from UC Davis in 2013 and she’s currently working toward her MBA from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.
James McCeney started in May and is working closely with James Hall for the rest of the 2023 growing season and through harvest. He is in the final stages of receiving the coveted Master of Wine (MW) title. He has a strong global winemaking background. After college he worked harvests in Burgundy at the Hospices de Beaune, Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand and the Barossa Valley in Australia – while earning his post graduate Viticulture & Enology degree from UC Davis and pressing cuvée at Domaine Carneros. James has been making wine at Lewis Cellars for the past four years. Prior to that he gained experience at Donum, Dutton Goldfield, Patz & Hall and Acacia.
About Patz & Hall
For 35 years, Patz & Hall has been seeking out the very best small, family-owned Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards in California and establishing long-term relationships with the talented winegrowers who farm these world-class sites. Built on real friendships, and a shared commitment to quality, these partnerships have led to the rich diversity of our wine portfolio, contributing to our acclaimed cuvées and our sought-after single-vineyard wines. Today, Patz & Hall makes some of California’s most stirring and sought-after single-vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs—wines that have become benchmarks for their intensity, elegance and complexity.
To learn more about Patz & Hall’s rich history, please visit www.Patzhall.com and follow us @PatzHall.
