AVIVO Wines

AVIVO Wines

20 Mill Street, Healdsburg CA 95448
AVIVOwines.com

Region: Lodi

Owner: Ridgely Evers

Winemaker: Daniel Fitzgerald

About: AVIVO began with an ambition to help reshape California wine by making delicious, thoughtfully grown wines that belong on an everyday dinner table. We grow Sangiovese and Vermentino in Lodi, where these Italian varieties feel right at home in California’s Mediterranean climate. Our commitment to regenerative farming starts with certified organic grapes and carries through to winemaking with minimal intervention, letting the fruit speak for itself. We’re excited to share that spirit of discovery at the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes and help you find a new favorite to bring home for dinner.

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Sangiovese gets our vote. We love its versatility, from a fresh rosé to a red with bright fruit and lively acidity. It’s a grape with a long history at the dinner table, and we’re excited to give it a place at yours.

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? In 1999, our co-founder Ridgely Evers discovered the Italian grape Sagrantino after being offered a 1994 Paolo Bea Sagrantino di Montefalco. He hadn’t planned to enter the wine business, but one glass inspired him to plant the grape at his farm in Healdsburg, CA. That discovery began an exploration of Italian varieties in California that helped shape AVIVO and our farming philosophy.

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? We love how they expand the possibilities for California wine, especially given the impacts of climate change. There’s so much flavor and history to explore, and varieties like Sangiovese and Vermentino show what can happen when the grape fits the place. The best part is opening a new bottle with someone and discovering a new favorite together.