For this varietal he is using approximately 60% new oak barrels. On his Pinot Noir, he has secured three vineyards in the Russian River AVA. Here Donald is implementing his strategy to develop a more balanced and “elegant and perfumed version to show through” with choices of grapes with selected aged barrels. He was just starting out his venture with Maritana Vineyards a project for developing and producing the highest quality of grapes for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
I interviewed Donald Patz in his living room back in 2018.
