Abbot’s Passage Winery & Mercantile will close its Sonoma Valley tasting room in Glen Ellen Sunday, June 28, six years after opening on Madrone Road.
Founded by sixth-generation vintner Katie Bundschu, whose family owns Sonoma’s Gundlach Bundschu Winery, Abbot’s Passage specializes in small-lot Rhone varietals, crisp whites and chilled reds.
Courtesy of Abbot’s Passage Winery & Mercantile
Abbot’s Passage Winery & Mercantile is located on a historic property in the heart of Sonoma Valley. (Courtesy of Abbot’s Passage Winery & Mercantile)
Established in 2015 as part of the Bundschu Company, Abbot’s Passage initially operated a small tasting room and retail space near Sonoma Plaza.
Five years later, the tasting room moved to its current Glen Ellen location after the company purchased the 42-acre Madrona Road property as part of a broader expansion that included an on-site custom crush facility.
In recent years, however, Abbot’s Passage has experienced a decline in visitation, reflecting broader challenges facing Wine Country, including a decline in alcohol consumption, wine sales and local tourism.
“Opening a new hospitality space during Covid was an ambitious undertaking,” said Bundschu, a partner in the Bundschu Company. “Our closure really comes down to poor timing. I worked very hard to build this brand, so I’m really sad.”
Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat
The historic barn at Abbot’s Passage Winery & Mercantile in Glen Ellen will host Brunch Flights every Sunday this winter featuring pastries from nearby Les Pascals Patisserie. file photo from 2021 (Christopher Chung/ The Press Democrat)
While Bundschu said the future of the Abbott’s Passage brand remains uncertain, she confirmed the company intends to sell the Madrone Road property and its custom crush facility.
“Demand for custom crush is down because people aren’t buying as many grapes,” she said. “That also greatly impacted our decision to close.”
The company does not plan to lay off any Glen Ellen employees, who will instead transition to the Gundlach Bundschu property.
“I take solace in the fact we did everything we could to stay open,” Bundschu said. “At the end of the day, it’s a business decision.”
Abbot’s Passage wine will remain available through the winery’s website (abbotspassage.com) or at the tasting room (777 Madrone Road, Glen Ellen) through June 28.
After the tasting room closes, wine club members will be able to pick up their wines at Gundlach Bundschu by appointment.
Dining and Cooking