The big, red, wood-sided winery operation of Passalacqua Winery hides its modern and attractive tasting room around back of the main building. This is a Zin house, with a smattering of rich flavorful Cabernets thrown in for variety.

The tasting room overlooks Dry Creek Valley and the winery’s beautiful gardens. Water features, intimate garden arbors and a large redwood-shaded viewing deck make this stop a pleasing one. Inside is a tile-floored room with
wooden-beam ceilings, a small wine-country gift shop and two tasting bars.

The Passalacqua family members are fourth-generation winemakers. They source their grapes from vineyards in Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys, producing six different Zinfandels, a couple of Cabs, a Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and a few dozen cases of Primitivo.

Previously the winemaker for Clos du Bois in Geyserville, Margaret Davenport now directs Passalacqua’s small-lot production. She is renowned for her barrel-fermented Chardonnays and red Bordeaux table wines. Her winemaking philosophy is “pure varietal intensity tempered with balance and finesse.” Passalacqua’s wines are available only at the winery and at a few selected restaurants.