Our Winemaker

Award-winning winemaker Margaret Davenport directs our small-lot production of Cabernet and other Sonoma County varietals, transferring her extensive knowledge and experience from production scenarios involving millions of cases per year to our more limited, handcrafted volumes.

“Like most winemakers, I’ve always wanted more control over the wines I make. Here at Passalacqua, I’m hands-on from the vineyard to the bottle, coaxing each vineyard to express its unique qualities, whether Chardonnay or Cabernet. I can personally craft each wine according to my winemaking philosophy: Pure varietal intensity tempered with balance and finesse,” says Margaret.

Her wine tasting advice for consumers? “Simply to taste more wines and more often,” she says. “Wine is really the only beverage to pair with food, so be adventurous in wine-food matches. If something doesn’t work, re-cork it for another meal and try a different wine. And let Cabernet age a bit—just put away a bottle or two from each vintage and learn how wine can become more complex as it ages.”

Margaret constantly refines her craft, challenging herself to seek out the best vineyards and winemaking techniques for Passalacqua, as well as for her own Davenport wines.