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Avio Vineyards
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5 reviews for Avio Vineyards
After a very difficult day yesterday, in which far too much crying was involved, I decided that I needed a nice, relaxing drive today. I would have been perfectly content to go alone, but Pete agreed to go along, in exchange for the promise of BBQ. We headed off toward Sutter Creek, CA. We picked this spot because a coworker of mine frequents this town on weekends and always comes back describing any time spent there as restful and relaxing. On the drive, we realized there are wineries all around this area and felt a pull toward Avio Vineyards.
Matt R. did a great job of describing the layout, so I won't repeat what he has already written so well. What I can add, is that there are currently 30 acres of land being used for growing grapes at Avio, and that land is divided into 5 sections. Each section is lovingly named after Lisa's (one of the owners) Italian Uncles. They compare the uncles to the type of wine created from those grapes. It's really very cute. For example, "Zio Giorgia's Lot- Cabernet Sauvignon: One acre. Zio Giorgio has always been somewhat of a classic; he's reserved in nature with refined qualities...just like our Cabernet Sauvignon." When you hear the couple's story, and how they ended up as wine makers in California, this will be as touching to you as it was to me (unless you lack a heart, in which case, you might gag). If you don't get to hear their story from them at the winery, definitely take the time to read it online.
Anyway, on to the wine. I am not going to make any claims that I am a wine aficionado or anything. What I can say is that I love what I love, regardless of how much a bottle might cost, what label it has on it, and what awards it has or has not won. I can't describe wine very well, and really don't care how others describe it. It's usually fairly meaningless to me. What might be "easy on the palate" or "robust and full-bodied with a hint of spice" might taste like deer piss to me...
I have been able to go to wine tastings across the country and have had my fair share of downright disgusting to absolutely exceptional wines. After more recent trips to wineries in the Finger Lakes Region of New York and in Wisconsin, where I have had lots of Riesling, Ports and Ice Wines (try Wollersheim Winery, Prairie du Sac, WI) I was excited to try some Italian wines.
Pete and I were served by Stefano, one of the owners, and he gave us an amazing selection to try from. We tried the Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, and the Maximus Super Tuscan. Later we had Champagne and Raspberry Champagne. I am normally a sweet wine type of girl, because red wine just makes me naked, but I ended up leaving with a bottle of Sangiovese, Maximus Super Tuscan (the hands down best wine I have ever tasted in my life), and the Raspberry Champagne. I am not allowed to open any of them till I'm married (in April) because of said nakedness that follows red wine consumption and because the champagne is to celebrate once we get married. I can't tell you what I am more excited about. The nakedness or the amazing Maximus Super Tuscan...both will be worth the wait!
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A visit to Avio is a journey to another world you might not otherwise have the pleasure to experience. The setting is exquisite. A Tuscan influenced tasting room set back amongs the vines. It's easy to understand why the property does such a thriving wedding and event business. As for the wines there is something for every taste and sensibility. I passed on the whites but made my way through everything from a lush '07 Barbera to the heady '06 Maximus (not for the faint of heart!)
As far as location Avio is set apart from the glut of vineyards situated in the valley of Amador county. Trust me. Take the short drive up on the ridge and visit Avio. The wine sells itself but the owners Stefano and Lisa have ready smiles and great stories of the business they have nurtured. Don't miss the opportunity.
Avio is fantastic. A hearty "thumbs up" to their Maximus red - a potent libation that oozes with smoky, earthy flavors!
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Boring, banal wine with little character--not worth visiting, even if the tastes are free. The owner (Stefano) was a conceited ass, making snide comments about my friend (who apparently wasn't happy enough for him, or something), and paying much more attention to the three wine club patrons who were gushing over his mediocre wine. Stefano pushed a white wine on us (although we were pretty clear that we were there for the reds) and when we didn't like it (as we predicted), he was snotty and rushed us through the rest of the wine-flavored piss he featured on his tasting menu. I wasn't impressed by any of his wines: like the winery itself, they were big on appearance but had little substance. They might be good in a few years, but honestly, I was so turned off by the owner's attitude that I'll never drink anything from this winery. (If this sounds harsh, sorry--I am a little tipsy on much better wine that I purchased from OTHER WINERIES.)
While talking about Italian wines with the nice woman at Sutter Ridge, she mentioned that some of their grapes went next door to Avio, where they were putting together a stable of wines with more of an Italian style. So I headed over to the neighbors'. I was greeted by an amazing spread, with the well-signed gate leading to a smoothly paved road that wound through the vineyards toward an attractive, Mediterranean-style complex of buildings that looked like a reconstruction of an Umbrian agriturismo.
I was served by Stefano, the owner, and he was quite ready to give me a free tasting of Tuscan-Amador hybrids. The first was an unoaked Chardonnay, free of bitterness and carrying a nice tropical fruit nose. We moved into the reds, including a fruity Sangiovese, a good Zinfandel, and most notably a Cabernet that bore a distinct chianti-style finished, imparted by imported oak barrels. These wines were served in a nice, spacious tasting room, with large windows overlooking toolsheds, grapevines, and a small outdoor picnic area. The atmosphere was simply perfect, and this place would make a fine lunchtime destination on a sunny day.
Prices were in the $20s-$30s. I picked up a Sangiovese (which, on second taste, came out a little *too* fruity) and a bottle of that great Cabernet.
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