Thursday, May 31, 2012

Mission: Possible




   
   My business is my passion.  Passaggio Wines was started in 2008 following my 15 year law enforcement career. I moved to California to follow my passion to pursue a life making quality, food-friendly wines.  I left Virginia in 2004 and launched Passaggio Wines with my 2007 vintage.  Passaggio's flagship wine is an unoaked Chardonnay.  I love to bring great wines, awesome food, and wonderful friends together.  Sharing is all part of the Passaggio story.  After a few years I added a Pinot Grigio, Rosé, and Pinot Noir.

   Passaggio's success is based in the loyal customers and friends made along this wonderful journey.  Passaggio wines has given me the chance to meet some of the greatest people during this pilgrimage.  They have made my success.

   Passaggio Wines unique quality was birthed from it's passion.  Built on a shoestring budget, I was able to launch my dream.  The unoaked Chardonnay's of today are getting great press and I am proud to have been on the cutting edge.

   I need your help to receive 250 votes to be eligible for a $250,000 grant from Chase Bank.  Just click on the above icon.  Sign in...type in Passaggio Wines - Sonoma, California and cast your vote...
   

   Thank you for your continued support...




   Follow Your Passion


   Passaggio Wines

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Me and Mr. Whiskers


When I moved to California to pursue my dream of wine making I decided I wanted a cat.  I went to the local shelter to see what they had.  I began to walk through where they had the cats and kittens and I noticed this cat had come up to the front of his cage and began meowing as if he was saying "how about me...?" He was a beautiful black and white cat weighing about 20 pounds.  The shelter thought he was about 9 years old.

I couldn't walk away from him.  I asked if I could take him out of his cage.  The attendant took him out and we became best buds almost instantly.  He was the one...

When going through the adoption process at the front desk I was asked where the cat was going to sleep.  I looked at the girl behind the counter and said "anywhere he wants..."

When I got him home he needed a name of course.  I have no clue why, but the shelter named him Larry.   He had the longest whiskers on a cat I had ever seen (could it have been because he weighed 20 pounds?) so I decided to name him Whiskers.  He immediately settled in and began running the house.

Whiskers became my best friend.  He followed me around like a little puppy dog.  He protected me from sock monsters and loved to sit by the stove when I was baking Salmon.  (of course he would get a small bite) We had a fenced in back yard and he loved going out and just sitting in the grass. Our evening ritual was the same; he loved sitting next  to me while I was on my computer and oftentimes helped me type.  He woke me up every morning at 6am.  We had our routine down.  Or I should say I had his routine down...


It wasn't long after Whiskers that Mattie was brought into the house.  Mattie is an Airedale.  She was 8 weeks old when I got her and of course Whiskers explained to her who was the boss.  They became friends but Mattie knew who was in charge.



Whiskers soon developed some eye problems and had to have surgery on his left eye.  Over the years he lost sight in that eye.  He later developed diabetes.  I gave him two insulin shots a day for the rest of his life.  He had to have his blood sugar checked every now and then and his insulin adjusted.  His immune system became weak and he was not able to go outside anymore.  His back legs didn't work that well and he kind of shuffled as he walked.  It was amazing that he could sense when a vet visit was upon him...as soon as I went to get the crate, he would go under the bed just out of reach.

Over the years Whiskers earned the right to be called Mr. Whiskers.  He remained my loyal friend.

At the beginning of the year, Mr. Whisker's health began to deteriorate.  We made several visits to the vet and were faced with having to put him under to pull some teeth.  We soon realized that he was a little older than we had first thought. The vet said that Mr Whiskers was approximately 19 years old.

While Mr. Whiskers rallied a bit, he was tired and weak.  He began not eating and not drinking.  He soon had to have fluids given to him.  Since he would not eat, I wasn't able to give him his insulin shots.  He began to deteriorate very fast.  I had to call the Vet and was told to bring him in that next day.  I was going to have to make some hard, hard choices.

It was about 3am.  Mr Whiskers decided it was his time.  I picked him up and held him in my arms for a couple of hours.  He breathed his last breath at 6am that morning.  My heart stopped for just a moment.

I miss him terribly - that day eight years ago when the shelter placed him in my arms, he claimed his space in my heart...and he will always remain there.







Monday, May 7, 2012

It's Never Too Late


I remember falling down when I was a little girl and my mom there to help me back up...life is kinda like that. We do fall down at times, we get discouraged, and have the tendency to stay down. It's not easy to just jump right back up again. Sometimes we need a little encouragement. Maybe even someone to hold out their hand and help us up.

There are times during your journey that you will need a friend or two to help you back up...find that right person who you know will be there no matter what the circumstance. Someone you know and trust to see you through the good times and the hard times.

Just remember that no matter what happens - dust yourself off, get back up again and keep going..."follow your passion"

Cheers,

Passaggio Wines

Friday, May 4, 2012

Wines with Purpose

Wines with purpose...what does that mean?

Well...I believe the purpose of wine is far more interesting than we think. There are several reasons the Passaggio Wines are created. First and foremost Passaggio Wines are created for you to enjoy. When you open a bottle of wine you are opening a whole life time of the vines' passion. The terrior where the vine has it's deep roots. The aromas and flavors that are connected to that vine. From your first sniff and taste, you can begin to feel the passion put forth from the winemaker and the grapes as they meld together in your glass.

Secondly, Passaggio Wines are made to pair with food. There is nothing better than sitting down to eat a great meal and having an awesome glass of wine that accents the food before you.

Last but not least...Passaggio Wines are made to share with friends and family. There is something to be said about giving a great bottle of wine to someone. It tells them you are one who likes to share. It shows you are someone who takes the time to pick out a nice bottle of wine to please them.

So the next time you purchase a bottle of wine think about it's purpose and the passion that brought it from the vine to your table. Enjoy the display of passion when that bottle is poured for your friends and family.

Follow Your Passion

Passaggio Wines