Jim Fox - Owner, Patine Cellars & Former LA King, NHL
James Charles Fox (born May 18, 1960) is a retired former professional ice hockey player who played nine seasons in the NHL, all for the Los Angeles Kings. In 1984–85, his best NHL season, he scored over a point a game, finishing with 30-53-83 in 79 games. A severe knee injury that occurred during a game against the Boston Bruins ended his career in 1990, but he still works in the Kings organization.
He has been a broadcaster for the Kings since 1990, partnered with Bob Miller on Fox Sports West/Prime Ticket.[1] He had the honor of being one of the speakers when Miller was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006. Fox is well known for his creative way to end sentences, in which his voice goes higher for the final few words.On February 11, 2006, the Kings celebrated Jim Fox Day at Staples Center, to honor his twenty-five years with the franchise as a player and broadcaster.
About Patiné Cellars: Patiné is a boutique wine label specializing in single vineyard designated Pinot Noir. We are dedicated to producing world class wines that define power and grace.
Our initial 2011 vintage produced 150 cases from the coveted Gap’s Crown Vineyard which benefits from the cool ocean breezes of the Petaluma Gap within the Sonoma Coast Appellation. In 2012, we have added Sun Chase Vineyard to the lineup. The Sun Chase Vineyard overlooks Gap’s Crown Vineyard on Sonoma Mountain and sits at an elevation between 900 feet and 1200 feet. We are thrilled and humbled to have talented winemaker Mike Smith at the helm of our endeavor. Our initial vintage will be released in 2013.
Rich was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. In 1992, Rich was selected by the Texas Rangers in the annual Major League Baseball draft and would go on to play for such teams as the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, and the Cincinnati Reds. His baseball career would eventually bring him to San Francisco, where he played 11 seasons for the San Francisco Giants. He was honored in representing the Giants in the 2001 All Star Game in Seattle, Washington.
Rich worked for Comcast Sports Bay Area and played an active role throughout his career in San Francisco with the Bay Area Make a Wish Foundation. Living in the bay area and traveling to the wine country for so many years gave him a wonderful love and appreciation for fine wine.
In addition to Red Stitch, Rich enjoys cooking many wonderful types of foods for family and friends - always sharing a favorite bottle of wine. Rich currently resides in Phoenix Arizona with his two sons, Chaz and Gavin.
About Red Stitch Wine: Drawn together through a blind tasting group, our families (the Aurilias, Miceks and Roberts) have become close friends and devoted wine enthusiasts. Beginning in 2007, we have enjoyed incredible tastings in our homes and at our favorite restaurants across California and around the world. As our love for wine brought us closer together, our relationships across Napa and Sonoma grew deeper as well. After the 2008 baseball season ended for Rich and Dave, we started to lay the groundwork for our venture into the wine business. Enjoying one incredible tasting after another across the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, visits with Rolando Herrera of Mi Sueño Winery, and the story of his passion for the art of fine wine, led us to friendship and an ultimate partnership. Rolando’s knowledge and enthusiasm for Red Stitch gave us the opportunity to source incredible grapes from the Frog Tree Vineyard in the Coombsville region of Napa Valley for our first vintage of Red Stitch.
Since the formation of Red Stitch, all three couples have been intimately involved in the wine making process, and have worked closely with Rolando and the entire Mi Sueño family to craft a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec that would stand the test of time. This hands-on approach defines our group’s desire to be involved in all aspects of the winemaking process. We are especially excited to include the Malbec varietal in our 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon both due to the vintage’s outstanding characteristics and the fact that a fantastic Malbec tasting first brought our three families together in San Francisco.