Patent Wines
Patent Wines
Founded on a mission to produce site-specific wines of distinction, Patent Wines is a family winery partnership between two Napa Valley veterans: Tom Rinaldi and Eric Risch. Tom’s journey began in 1976, developing multiple renowned Napa wineries and vineyards, especially as the founding winemaker of Duckhorn. At the turn of the millennium, Eric moved from Silicon Valley to St. Helena, resurrecting a historic vineyard and winery, Pellet Estate. Eric and Tom’s collaboration on numerous wine projects spans two decades.
Together, they oversee the Patent Wine Company, combining Eric’s entrepreneurial leadership with Tom’s 50-plus years of Napa Valley expertise.
Their portfolio is defined by its diverse terroirs across Napa’s most prestigious AVAs, ranging from the historic Miller Ranch in Yountville to the rocky alluvial fans of St. Helena. In Yountville, the valley floor’s silt and clay loams produce unique Sauvignon Blanc intermingled with Sémillon and Muscat. Further north in the St. Helena and Oak Knoll AVAs, the focus shifts to Cabernet Sauvignon, where well-drained, gravelly soils and strategic sun exposure force the vines to "struggle." This varied geography allows the winery to showcase a broad spectrum of flavors, from intense minerality to the structured, ultra-premium fruit characteristic of the region’s best mountain-side runoff.
At the helm of the cellar, Tom Rinaldi masterfully blends traditional French "Bordeaux-style" techniques with modern innovation to create wines of harmony and balance. As a winemaker whose work has been ranked among the best in the world, Tom manages every aspect of production, from vineyard selection to the final assembly of blends. Alongside Eric’s dedication to marketing and community leadership within Appellation St. Helena, the team remains committed to the art and science of the craft. Whether in the vineyard or the cellar, their shared passion ensures that every bottle is a true testament to the heritage and excellence of Napa Valley.
