By Paul Goguen and Melissa Dowling

Passaggio Wines recently opened in a new location at the historic Jack London Village in Glen Ellen. The concept is a wine bar with wine by the glass, wine flights, and wine by the bottle. It’s not a traditional tasting room. The idea is to attract folks who want to chill out with a glass of wine and maybe catch some live music.

Passaggio’s wines are currently sourced from Sonoma Valley vineyards. Passaggio is most known for unoaked chardonnay, which was the first wine produced by owner Cindy Cosco. The current vintage of the chardonnay is from the Carneros Namesake vineyard in Sonoma. You may remember Passaggio from Vine Alley off the Sonoma Square where they sold lots of chardonnay and other interesting varietals. After a stint on Treasure Island in San Francisco, they are back in the valley. According to Cosco, “I wanted to be back in the Sonoma Valley; it’s where I belong. We looked at several spaces, but none of them felt right until we found this one.”

Cosco was in law enforcement for 15 years, then “followed her passion” into the wine business. Cosco is known for her inspiring quotes, “Follow your passion” is one, “Every empty bottle is filled with a great story” is another.

Now in their new location, with soaring ceilings and lots more room, Cosco and wine bar manager Carole Martinson have upped their hospitality game with snacks prepared by Lauren Kershner of Goodness Gracious Catering and Songbird Parlour, also located in Jack London Village.

It is a great space to catch up with friends over a glass of wine or relax and read a book; and they have great WIFI. The stage in the space where they will host live music was built over the old Olive Press that previously occupied the location.

Their hours for now are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Stop by before a meal at Yeti or the Mill at Glen Ellen in Jack London Village for a flight or a glass. Passaggio Wines is located at 14301 Arnold Drive, Unit 1, in Glen Ellen. For more information, visit Passaggiowines.com. You can make a reservation (not required) by calling (707) 548-5366.

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