CASE STUDY

From portfolio to independence: How BPM helped Patz & Hall Winery reclaim its legacy 

October 2, 2025

Industries: Wine & Agribusiness

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Patz & Hall Winery represents one of California’s most respected names in premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir production. Founded over three decades ago, the winery built its reputation through long-term partnerships with family-owned vineyards across California’s premier wine regions. After eight years under wine conglomerate ownership, founder James Hall and a close nit group of investors repurchased his winery in March 2024, marking a new era of independence for this family-owned operation. 

The transition back to independence presented unique operational challenges that required specialized experience. BPM’s relationship with Patz & Hall began through industry networking, when BPM partner Jamie Emerson-Heery met the winery’s current CFO and president at a wine industry financial symposium. This professional connection, strengthened by a referral from an existing BPM client, evolved into a comprehensive engagement to support the winery’s critical transition period. 

The challenge 

Patz & Hall faced a complex operational challenge that many businesses encounter when separating from larger corporate structures: how to establish independent back-office operations after years of shared services dependency. 

For nearly a decade, Patz & Hall operated within a corporate structure and then private equity ownership designed for eventual resale. All accounting, back-office functions, and operational systems were integrated into a larger shared services model. While the parent company could identify Patz & Hall transactions within their systems, the winery lacked the independent infrastructure necessary to operate as a standalone entity. 

The separation presented several critical challenges: 

Operational independence: The winery needed to quickly establish comprehensive accounting, payroll, pricing, and inventory management systems to support day-to-day operations without the safety net of shared services. 

Inventory valuation reset: Years of portfolio management had resulted in inventory positions that didn’t accurately reflect the winery’s current market position. The industry was experiencing broader challenges, and Patz & Hall was carrying excess inventory that required strategic revaluation. 

Transaction structure optimization: The repurchase deal itself required careful structuring to ensure both immediate operational viability and long-term strategic positioning. 

Brand repositioning: After years within a larger portfolio where the Patz & Hall brand risked getting “lost in the shuffle,” the winery needed to re-establish its distinct market identity and operational focus. 

The solution 

BPM assembled a comprehensive support team to address every aspect of Patz & Hall’s transition to independence. The engagement encompassed both strategic advisory services and hands-on operational support. 

Technology infrastructure: BPM implemented NetSuite as the foundation for Patz & Hall’s independent operations, providing integrated financial management, inventory tracking, and reporting capabilities essential for a premium winery’s complex needs. 

Comprehensive back-office setup: The BPM team established complete accounting operations from the ground up, including bookkeeping systems, payroll administration, and financial reporting structures. This full-service approach ensured the CFO had robust support during the critical transition period. 

Strategic transaction advisory: BPM provided tax and operational guidance on structuring the repurchase transaction to optimize both immediate needs and long-term strategic tax objectives, ensuring the deal supported sustainable independence. 

Inventory valuation strategy: Recognizing the opportunity for a fresh start, BPM worked with Patz & Hall to establish realistic inventory valuations that reflected current market conditions and supported strategic decision-making about product positioning and sales strategies. 

Transition services management: BPM coordinated the complex handoff from the previous shared services and an agency arrangement, ensuring continuity of operations while building new independent capabilities. 

The outcome 

The results speak to both the complexity of the challenge and the effectiveness of BPM’s comprehensive approach: 

Operational stability: Within less than a year of the March 2024 transaction close, Patz & Hall successfully transitioned from complete dependency on shared services to stable, independent operations. This achievement represents a fundamental transformation from “venturing into the unknown” to establishing a solid operational foundation. 

Financial systems performance: The new NetSuite-based infrastructure provides Patz & Hall with real-time visibility into their operations, enabling data-driven decision-making that was previously impossible under the shared services model. 

Strategic market positioning: With accurate inventory valuations and clear operational metrics, Patz & Hall can now make informed decisions about product pricing, market positioning, and growth strategies that align with their premium brand identity. 

Growth platform established: While many wineries have experienced 5-15% sales declines in recent market conditions, Patz & Hall is positioned for significant growth. With their strong sales team and newly independent operations, the winery is targeting significant potential sales growth over the next 3-5 years despite many headwinds in the industry. 

True independence realized: Most importantly, James Hall and his team now control their destiny. The winery operates with the agility and focus that only comes from independent ownership, while maintaining the operational excellence that built their reputation over decades. 

The successful transition demonstrates how the right combination of strategic advisory services, technology implementation, and operational support can transform a complex corporate separation into a foundation for renewed growth and independence. For Patz & Hall, working with BPM meant the difference between struggling through a difficult transition and emerging stronger than ever. 

BPM specializes in helping businesses navigate complex transitions, from corporate separations to strategic repositioning. Our comprehensive approach combines deep industry experience with practical operational support to deliver results that matter.