Over the course of my 26 years in the California Wine Industry, I’ve made wine from all the major red and white varietals grown in the North Coast, as well as some not so widely grown: Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Ugni Blanc, Viognier, Malbec and Petite Verdot. And I’ve made every style of wine from traditionally made sparkling wines (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier) to late harvest styles (Riesling, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc). I am best known for the barrel-fermented Chardonnays and red Bordeaux table wines I perfected during 16 years of winemaking at Clos du Bois.
Continuing in that tradition at the Passalacqua Winery in the Dry Creek Valley, just outside Healdsburg, the 2002 Dry Creek Valley Old Vine Zinfandel placed in the list of the top 100 wines of 2004 in the San Francisco Chronicle.

In 2002, Wine and Spirits Buying Guide announced Clos du Bois, under the winemaking leadership of Margaret Davenport, had been named “Winery of the Year” in their magazine more often than any other winery.

Clos du Bois’ 2001 Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc was rated a “Best Value” by the Wine Spectator; and also featured in the Wall Street Journal and LA Times.

In its October 2000 issue, Consumer Reports singled out Clos du Bois as a consistent producer of highly recommended wines in 4 out of 5 varietals tasted.

The California Grapevine reported that Margaret Davenport’s Vineyard Designate Chardonnay, Calcaire, was the top medal-winning chardonnay in America for the year 2000.

The results of Wine and Spirits Buying Guide 10th Annual Restaurant Poll for 1999 showed Clos du Bois placed 10th in a field of 50 wineries.

In 1998, the nationally syndicated columnist, Dan Berger, named Margaret Davenport “Winemaker of the Year”.

Margaret’s 1997 red wines garnered high points from both the Wine Spectator and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. In addition, the Wine Spectator held a restrospective tasting of 1987 California Cabernets and awarded 1987 Briarcrest 91 points. Jim Laube called the 1995 Briarcrest and Marlstone, both with 91 points, “…collectible values.”

Clos du Bois is the only winery in Sonoma County to win both a red and a white Sweepstakes: 1987 Calcaire Chardonnay and 1991 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, both from Alexander Valley.