The Time Has Come

The time has finally arrived for the Passaggio Wines Cruise...I will be leaving tomorrow for an exciting adventure to Italy...can't wait to tell you all about it!

Follow Your Passion

Cynthia Cosco

Napa Art and Wine

Passion - how do you define it? Each of us has a definition for it. My good friend, Linda Cordair, owns an art gallery in downtown Napa. It's a beautiful gallery. Quent Fine Art is located at 1301 First Street, Napa, CA. 

Linda's passion - art. She breathes, eats, and drinks art. She also loves helping others follow their passion. Linda sent me a text today that said "Check out" the Quent Cordair Facebook page. I did and to my amazement she had a photo of a beautiful piece of art with two bottles of my wine.

The Facebook status read:

Purchase "The Return of Joy" by Tamara Bonet this month and we will include some of our favorite Passaggio Wines as a thank you. 

See a larger image of this amazing sculpture and additional details at the Quent Fine Art Website.

If you haven't been to the Quent Fine Art Gallery, take the opportunity to visit. You won't be disappointed. When you walk in Linda may just hand you a glass of wine and let you enjoy meandering through her beautiful pieces of art. 

Follow Your Passion

Cynthia Cosco

Girls Gone Wine

When Girls Gone Wine, a wonderful group of women just following their passion, said they were coming to visit +Passaggio Wines in San Francisco I was so excited and pleased that they would choose me among all the great wineries they have visited. When I mean visit the winery, I mean storm the winery. This group of ladies, made up of various wine industry talent, is such a vibrant and fun group. They showed up at +Dogpatch WineWorks around 12 o'clock ready to taste my wine and spend some great time together.

Wonderful friends, great food, awesome wines....made for a wonderful day!!!

Girls Gone Wine

+Thea Dwelle, +Jerae Knutson, +Leilani Carrara, +Rachel Voorhees, +Grace Hoffman +Liza S, +Sarah Doyle, +Elizabeth Olson, just to name a few, were among the 13 ladies who graced the winery this past Saturday.

It was my pleasure pouring Passaggio Wines for them and showing them around the winery. Afterwards we all went to The Chocolate Lab for lunch...oh my!!! Check out a couple of these dishes...

What a memorable day!!!!


Follow Your Passion

Cynthia Cosco

Rose Colored Glasses

Looking at the World Through Rose Colored Glasses...

1951 Nick Lucas

2011 Passaggio Wines

Have Fun

Follow Your Passion

Cynthia Cosco

We've Come A Long Way Baby

The name Passaggio come from an Italian word meaning "passage way"  This has been quite a journey for me.  I hope you continue to follow Passaggio Wines.  You can follow this journey on Facebook and Twitter.

Ciao for now...

Follow Your Passion

Cynthia Cosco
Passaggio Wines

Inside Secrets

Luna Sei Winery

What a journey this has been...

This is a photo of a collective of great friends in Sonoma who grow their own grapes and make wine in their garage. It has been my privilege and blessing to be a part of their journey. Guiding them through the process has been so much fun and they are making fantastic wines. This year they harvested two barrels of Merlot, one half barrel of Syrah Rosé and one barrel of Sauvignon Blanc. What a story they have! A group of six friends getting together, making wine and sharing it with their friends and family…I can't wait to taste their finished product...

At the beginning of this year I was asked to read through a home wine making book to see if I would be interested in endorsing it. As I read through it I began to think of all the people who would benefit from such a book...people who want to follow their passion for wine and home wine making. I also thought this was a perfect opportunity for me to pay back all those who have helped me by helping you make good wine…let’s follow your passion and start your journey

My journey of wine making has brought me to this point in time and I want to share it with you...
Check out the Insider Tips

Cheers,

Cynthia Cosco
Follow Your Passion

Living Goals

I often look at the goals I have written for myself.  One thing I have noticed...they are ever changing.  The end result remains the same but the journey it takes to get there changes from time to time.  I believe our goals are ever changing because we are ever changing.  Our goals are part of us and change as we do.  They help us in our driving force for our passions in life.

Writing your goals down is an excellent idea but do not be too tied to them.  Let them be ever flowing as your life flows from day to day.  It's OK to change the path for the better from time to time but don't forget where it is you want to go.  Be creative...it's OK...




Follow Your Passion

Cynthia Cosco

Harvest 2012 is Underway

Harvest is one of my favorite times of the year.  The anticipation, the expectation, the anxiousness, and the excitement are all met with passion.  Winemakers throughout wine country are always excited about the harvest.  It's the beginning of new things, the  hope of a great vintage and challenge of making great wines.  This year's harvest is looking great and the yields are awesome.  I predict a great 2012 vintage!!!

Cheers everyone,

Follow Your Passion

Mission: Possible

   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

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

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

Wisdom and Fortitude

It's been awhile since my last blog post...Following Your Passion can get very busy you know...LOL.  Sometimes I loose track of time and forget that I haven't written a blog in awhile. 

My passion, Passaggio Wines, has gone through some changes this past year.  The wine bottles are sporting new labels, and there is a new website design being completed as I write this blog. (stay tuned for that)

Each harvest brings a new adventure and new challenges.  Each new challenge must be met head on with wisdom and fortitude.  Harvest of 2011 was quite a challenge for wine making.  At least it was for me.  I believe that the 2011 Passaggio Wines are some of the best thus far since 2007.

I certainly hope you are up for your challenges this year with wisdom and fortitude.  Whatever challenges you have ahead of you - I encourage you to meet them head on...

I would love to hear about them...


Follow Your Passion

Passaggio Wines

Liquid Gold for St Patrick's Day

What's on your table for St Patrick's Day...?

Passaggio Wines is all about great food, wonderful friends, and awesome wines.  Get together with some of your best friends this Saturday, eat some great food, and drink some green beer....celebrate life...

Although I may not be Irish, I will be raising my glass of Liquid Gold in honor of St Patrick's Day...

Cheers

Passaggio Wines

It's Your Passion

I have been advocating and sharing the  "Follow Your Passion" blog for quite some time now.  It's time to share YOUR passion.  What is it that motivates you beyond anything else?  What is the one thing that you would or could do if you could do anything...?

I want to encourage you to share that passion wth others.  The more you share what you would love to do, the more you will be convinced that you can do it.  Share you thoughts on my "Follow Your Passion" Facebook page...just follow the link below...

Say it out loud!  Share it!  Go ahead - you can do it...

Follow Your Passion

Cynthia Cosco

It's What's in My Glass Tonight

I can't think of a better title...so I'm going with this one.

 Each night (well, almost every night) I pick up a bottle of wine, look at the front label, read the back label, cut the foil, pull the cork and pour the wine into a glass.  Sound familiar?  It's a ritual that many of us do on a regular basis.  Then we usually take a photo of the bottle and post it to our friends to let them know what we are drinking for the evening.  It's like sharing it with the world...well maybe the Social Media world. :)

When we open a bottle of wine it's like opening a bottle of liquid passion.  It makes us want to share it (well most of us anyway - LOL) it makes us want to let others know what we are drinking.  The wine inside wants to be drank.  It wants to be shared.  It cries out " Experience the Passion."

So with that said - open a bottle this evening and share it with us...listen closely...you might just hear it speaking to you...

Follow Your Passion

Passaggio Wines

Valentine Passion

Well...we all know this day rolls out every year.  Yep...same day every year - February 14.  Some dread it, some embrace it.  I challenge you today to embrace it in a way that maybe you haven't done before. 

Find one person, whether it be a co-worker, family member, friend, neighbor, or maybe even be a stranger, and tell them how special they are.  Let that be your Valentine to someone today - the lifting up of someones spirit...

OK - ready - set - go...

You might just be surprised of how it actually touches you!




Follow Your Passion


Passaggio Wines

Watch Out for that Fork in the Road

According to Wikipedia "a fork in the road" is a metaphor, based on a literal expression, for a deciding moment in life or history when a major choice of options is required.

I was traveling to a friends house for a Superbowl party this past Sunday and had to use my Navigator.  Before I left the house I typed in the address and found the map directions to be quite far but it didn't look too difficult.  As I was driving, one of the instructions was to "take a right at the fork."  I started laughing, visualizing an actual fork sticking up out of the road.  The Navigator was telling me which way to turn and at that moment I realized it was much like my chosen career...the path I have chosen.  The directions were laid out for me and the destination was already known.  All I had to do was follow the instructions.  The plan was already in place. 

We often know exactly where we want to go, or what we want to do with our lives, but have no idea how to get there.  Writing it down and making a plan is often our first step.  Each twist and turn or stretch of road makes its way into our plan.  Then the distance is set with how long it may take us to get to each "fork in the road" and then to our final destination.

There have been several "fork in the road" moments in my life.  Was there a plan?  Sometimes yes and sometimes no.  At those times when I had no plan I found myself camping out a bit before traveling on.  (even in the literal sense, trust me, I don't do camping well... :) )

To get to where you want to be - get your directions first...don't try to wing it - you just might get lost. Keep your focus and follow your passion...you will find your way.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could just type our goals into a Life Navigator and get the directions...?


Follow Your Passion

Passaggio Wines

Pinot Passion

What a beautiful day in Sonoma...

OK...I admit it...I am passionate about wine.  Oh, I guess you already knew that.  :)  Today was a great day at the winery.  Just the thought of having a Passaggio Pinot Noir is exciting.  I went to pull samples of the Pinot.  (had to have a taste) Definitely some awesome flavors and aromas going on...Check out the label for this Pinot Noir!




I try to check the wines once a month to see how they are coming along.  Today was a good day - the Pinot Noir is tasting great...even if it is still very young.  This is going to be a great year...

Follow Your Passion

Passaggio Wines

So Confused but Pressing On

Following Your Passion.... to me this also means trying to keep up with Social Media, new technology, new phones, new ideas, and the list goes on. We have come so far since the phone booth days, but boy have I got news for you...it's not easy!

Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Blogger, Wordpress, Website, Social Media Examiner, Stumble, Gmail, Email, Benchmark Newsletter, Wineclub, LinkedIn, Tumblr, YouTube, Schoolfeed....OMG!!!

OK...so what's a girl to do?  Calgon...take me away!!! - Take a deep breath...ok, better.  Anyone overwhelmed?  Now I have to decide which of these sites are best for me.

Looking for some feed back here - anyone....?

Cheers,

Passaggio Wines

10 Things I learned in 2011

Well...2011 is almost a memory. We are about to launch into 2012...I can feel the excitement as I write... As I look back over 2011 I reflect on the things I have learned. Now this doesn't mean I only learned ten things...LOL - but these just happen to come to mind. It was a great year but I am looking forward to even greater...how about you?


1) Times can get tough but we can endure them and get through
2) Surround yourself with positive people
3) Believe in Yourself
4) Do things you have always wanted to do even if you are afraid
5) Give back to the community
6) Support and encourage your friends
7) Learn all you can and keep up with Social Media
8) Write about things that you are passionate about
9) Take time for yourself / pay attention to your health
10 Follow Your Passion



2012 is going to be a wonderful year...jump on board with me and enjoy the journey.


Cheers,

Passaggio Wines