Kathleen has a couple of really nice young guys working the tasting room and it looked like the winery's reputation is growing as they had been busy. This vineyard is in Santa Rosa, and Kathleen is producing some amazing wines. While she has been producing at this organic vineyard for 10 years, this seems to be her break out year, because her work is finally be recognized.
Cynthia is the owner and winemaker at Passaggio Wines. Cynthia's focus is small lot boutique wines that include unoaked chardonnay, pinot grigio, rose altogether about 10 varieties of wine. Cynthia went from cop to artisan wine crafter, not a typical journey by any stretch. In 2004, Cynthia left a 15-year Law Enforcement career to pursue that passion and family tradition of winemaking. It has been enjoyable to watch Passaggio Wines grow and see Cynthia follow her dreams. Passaggio's tasting room is gorgeous for either tasting, having wine by the glass, or for a special event. The tasting room staff and winemaker are very friendly and accommodating and make you feel right at home.
A classy place to taste the bubbly, sample super-gourmet treats, take a tour, or join a class, J specializes in sparkling wine and has a dazzling showroom for visitors. Check out the gardens, drink in the view, and be ready for plenty of tiny bubbles.
This place is great! The people that work here are always extremely nice and are very educated on their product! Mike is always such a pleasure to sit and chat with.
Established in 1998 by Nick Goldschmidt a New Zealand winemaker, who trained in australia and arrived in the Napa in 1989. From 1990 to 2003 he was the winemaker for Simi winery in the Alexander Valley. From 2003- 2006 Nick was the Snr VP winemaker for Allied Domecq wines, managing 7 countries with brands such as Clos Du Bois, Mumm Napa, Garry Farrel, Buena Vista, William Hill, Brancott, Grafigna,..
Confessions of a Winemaker Chef - I always considered winemaking to be “cooking”. Through my entire time as a chef, I wanted to work with the flavors, textures, and aromas of grapes from the California coast. Finally I took the plunge and moved to Napa Valley.
“What the heck are people doing growing grapes and making wine from way out on a ridge top above the cold Pacific Ocean? I mean, it is remote. And mountainous. And, frankly, the weather can be a little inhospitable at times.” The quick answer goes something like – this is where our research and luck led us. The longer answer follows.....
Free wine tastings, perfect scenery, a great little picnic area, and did I mention free tastings? There's also a great book of menus/letters from the White House where their wines had been used. They go back to the Clintons - kind of cool! Hours: Thursday - Monday 11:00 to 4:00, Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment only.
Nice big reds here. Everything we tasted had merit. Another plus is the tasting room is shared with Muscardini so you can taste two wineries at once. George was very accommodating and knowledgeable. If you are a red fan, you'll want to stop in.
Longtime friends Todd Williams and Rodney Strong created Toad Hollow Vineyards when they released their first vintage of unoaked chardonnay in 1994. As one of the leaders in unoaked Chardonnay, their consistent style featuring bright, crisp fruit flavors, continues to be a favorite.
