While Cynthia Cosco is not necessarily new to the wine world, she is leading the "new generation" of California white wines with her unoaked, fruit-forward style of Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio from Passaggio Wines.

Cythia Cosco of Passaggio Wines

Just before the 2010 harvest, Hello Vino had the chance to meet up with Cynthia at the Crushpad tasting room and winemaking facility on the Silverado Trail in Napa.  In this video interview, Cynthia takes us through her approach to winemaking, what to expect when tasting the wines, and the inspiration behind the name Passaggio.

What to Expect from the Wines

Cynthia graciously provided samples of both her Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio, both of which are extremely well-balanced, deliver deliciously vibrant fruit flavors, and are also very food-friendly (light seafood dishes would pair beautifully).  If you're looking for a fresh & fruity style of California Chardonnay different than the butter-bombs you may have tried in the past, look no further than Passaggio Wines.

Socialize with Passaggio Wines

Wine and friends may be the absolutely perfect pairing.  Cynthia uses social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter to build relationships with other wine lovers (so, make sure you reach out to her online!).  Passaggio Wines is also a "social media darling", receiving high acclaim from the new wave of wine writers such as Frank Gutierrez (check out his review of the 2009 Passaggio Unoaked Chardonnay).

Have you tried Passaggio Wines?

Drop a comment below and let us know what you think.

Cheers!