Avio Vineyards

We really enjoyed our visit to Avio with their fantastic, friendly customer service. Named for the owner’s family’s village in Italy, this adorable, comfortable tasting room on Ridge Road is a must-​visit. The owners of the property have adopted 40 rescue animals, several of whom are in or around the tasting room. Tux the lab/​pit bull mix greeted us at the door, and one of the kitties made my tasting experience extra snuggly. :) Though Italian varietals aren’t my particular favorite, it’s what this terroir grows well, and this place does them well. The winemaker does a great job with wines that run the gamut of lighter-​bodied to fuller-​bodied. We bought more than half a case, enjoying their very reasonably-​priced Barbed Wire Red Blend. For those of you who enjoy «sweet wines» you will love their two sparkling offerings. There is a B&B cottage onsite that my hubby and I will definitely be returning to rent for the night. The fee includes use of the property including the pool, a kitchen-​cottage, and a crazy beautiful view! Francois the rescue peacock might even stroll by to say hello! Do stop by if you are in the mood for a wonderful, quintessential foothill wine tasting experience.

Check in for buy 1, get the second bottle 50% off!
We came across this vineyard on a failed attempt to eat at the Jackson Rancheria Seafood buffet. The courtyard was beautiful with a large fountain. Our server, Deanna, was friendly and knowledgeable. We had 7 tastings. We ended up purchasing the 2012 Pinot Grigio and the 2010 Sangiovese Reserve. Both were reasonably priced. Their Raspberry Champagne was also very good.

Good server, nice location. A fun experience with other guests.
Wines are okay, and a bit overpriced.

Wines are just OK and owners are a real piece of work. AVOID!

We stumbled across this winery while out exploring Jackson, CA. The grounds are beautiful and we were able to taste some really nice Italian wines that were reasonably priced. I ended up buying three bottles and have enjoyed the ones that I have opened so far. I bought two reds and a berry champagne. I usually do not like champagne at all but this one had a great berry flavor with a tiny hint of sweetness.
The hostess at the vineyard was very friendly and knowledgeable. There was plenty of parking and the winery itself was beautiful.

We had our wedding here 9÷14÷13. Stefano and Lisa were wonderful. They were so hospitable; making every effort to make our stay and important day as perfect as possible.
The vineyard is an absolutely gorgeous location for a wedding. Stefano and Lisa keep the house, grounds, and vineyards in gorgeous shape and perfect for a wedding. All of our guests commented on how beautiful the vineyard was; how perfectly the grounds were maintained; and suited the venue was to a wedding.
The wine is wonderful. Our guests really enjoyed all of our offerings and we liked the wine better than when we tasted it originally. We were very excited to find several bottles left over at the end of the night for our own enjoyment in the weeks to come.
We also stayed in the Carriage House the night before — made our wedding weekend even more relaxed and enjoyable.
Our pictures turned out perfectly — which was one of the main reasons we had picked the venue in the first place — for the gorgeous views and scenery. We barely needed any additional decorations; the venue speaks for itself. After having seen our photographs, I think that choosing Avio was one of the best things we could have done for our wedding!

My husband and I were married on the estate at Avio Vineyards just a couple weeks ago and we were so pleased with it we had to write a review right away! Stefano and Lisa were so kind to us and very accommodating! We live in the SF Bay Area and my mother lives about 20 minutes away from Avio so whenever we were in town visiting we would stop by Avio to take another peek at the grounds where we had booked our wedding. They never minded that we popped in, just asked us to give them a call or email to let them know ahead of time whenever possible. The fact that they were ok with us coming by more than once was generous in itself. We were very grateful to have these opportunities! Shellie ended up being our Site Manager on the day of the wedding and she was so very kind and helpful. It gave us great peace of mind knowing she was there to handle any problems that might have popped up with regards to the property. (thankfully there were none, whew!) Stefano and Lisa were also on the grounds that day and Stefano actually came to our rescue a couple times with things we either forgot or needed prior to the start of the wedding. As for the venue itself, it was breathtaking and perfect. The view of the rolling hills covered in vineyards as the backdrop to our wedding ceremony was something I will never forget. The yard where the ceremony took place couldn’t have been more perfect allowing for a very intimate, yet comfortable seating arrangement. The ceremony itself was so serene and beautiful and all of this played a huge part in creating that setting. We want to publicly thank Stefano, Lisa and Shellie for being so kind and caring to make our wedding day as special as it was. We knew from the moment we stepped foot onto the grounds that this was exactly where we wanted to get married and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to do so. Thank you Avio!

My husband and I got married here last August and I think it was probably the best part about the entire wedding. There are a couple of reviews that said Stefano and Lisa are very uptight etc, but in reality, they are the sweetest hosts who want to keep their place looking beautiful. Our guests were very respectful of the grounds and we had no issues! In fact, the fountain in the courtyard stopped working an hour or two before the wedding was scheduled to start and Stefano was out there on his hands and knees determined to make it work in time for our wedding.
The grounds are absolutely breathtaking with view of the of the vineyards, the beautiful landscaping and their gorgeous house. Once it got dark, the place was absolutely magical with candlelight, the light from the fountain, and the lights on the house. I can’t tell you how many of our guests said it was the best wedding they’d been to, and I honestly think Avio made all the difference.
Stefano and Lisa are incredibly friendly and passionate about what they do, not to mention the wine is amazing! Their sweet red Zinfandel is to die for and their Pinot Grigio has a lovely hint of carbonation. Mmm mm mmm! I cannot recommend this place enough!

6 years ago today, my husband and I were married on the beautiful Avio Vineyards. When shopping wedding venues, we knew this would be the most enchanting location any bride and groom could dream of. Not only was the venue perfect, the owners, Lisa and Stefano, were amazing to plan with. They customized a sparkling wine, just for us and had a beautiful label made to match.
Our actual wedding was such a hit-​our friends and family still talk about how it was the best wedding they have ever been to. Everything went beautifully and at the end of the night, my husband and I were so thankful to just walk right into the guest house and not have to worry about going anywhere. It truly was a dream come true to have our wedding on the beautiful vineyard.

Great boutique winery in the Sierra Foothills… Stefano and Lisa love what they do and it shows.

One word to describe our stay in the guest house at the Avio Winery… MAGICAL!
Not one complaint. The owners, Stefano and Lisa Watson know what they are doing and are doing it very well! They are a wonderful couple and so welcoming. We had a private tour of the winery at night given by Stefano himself, and then Lisa texted Stefano to tell him that she had turned on the pool lights for us if we wanted a night swim. Where else will you find that hospitality?!
The wines are REALLY good and they will go far with this delightful winery. We had this INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL guest home, decorated to perfection by Lisa herself, and so clean. Tons of movies and music to choose from, a detached kitchenette with breathtaking view of the hills and vineyard and animals. It was nice to sit at the outside table and enjoy coffee in the morning or wine at night. The wine they left in our room was so also a delightful treat. Stefano and Lisa, thank you for making my birthday weekend extra special! We will be back. You are a hidden gem in Sutter Creek and I am so glad we found you!
Another great thing about this couple is that they rescue animals. Maybe if we get some worn out animal costumes and we act lost around their property, they will rescue us and we can live on this beautiful property and in their guest home for forever. :)
This experience was truly heaven!
Julaine and Tom

My husband and I got married here in May. When we came to see the venue about a year and a half before (in the Winter), the vineyard was absolutely gorgeous, and we immediately fell in love. Our wedding was so magical and special, and we could not have chosen a better venue. I would recommend any bride to go check it out as a venue. The wines are all amazing, and the owners and tasting room staff are all very friendly and accommodating. My favorites are a red wine called the Barbara (or Barbera?) and their Raspberry Champagne. The beauty of this venue cannot be done justice by any pictures. It has a magic all its own, and it is worth going to, even if it is out of your way. All my friends kept going on about how amazing our wedding and this venue were. It has a great «WOW factor.»

It’s a lovely winery with a friendly couple running it. The wines are really great and it’s a nice stop on the way to the mountains.

Off the Amador and Sutter Creek path, but worth a targeted visit. This winemaker is exceptional. If you really enjoy well made, small lot, carefully crafted wine then this is the place for you!
The tasting room is a traditional Tuscan farmstead featuring a beautiful courtyard and fountain. The vineyard is atop the rolling hills and also features a bed & breakfast onsite.
The tasting room is simple Tuscan elegance, complete with the bar made of solid wood resting on vintage wine barrels.
This Italian winemaker has brought the family history of wine making over to the USA and has exception Italian red varietals. Each year brings new favorites, but the Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are my favorites from the 07 – 08 vintage.
Much like Terre Rouge/​Easton this winemaker ages his wines a couple years. While the rest of Amador is tasting the ⁰⁹⁄₁₀ vintage, Avio still serves up it’s 07 and 08’s. It’s this patience and passion for the wine, not the money, that really comes through.
The structure of these wines gives the ability to lay them down for 5 – 10 years, but they are also drink ready now. You may want them to breathe for an hour in the decanter for full appreciation!
Worth particular mention as well was the pourer in the tasting room. Teresa was exceptionally patient with our kids (7 and 5) while they played in the courtyard. She treated us like extended family, never once pushing us to speed up the tasting.
Avio is a rare bird these days with a winemaker who is exceptional, and passionate about the quality of the wine over the commercial opportunity. It is one of my favorites anywhere!

I made the mistake of joining their wine club when I was in the tasting room
so I could get a discount on the wine I was buying. They sent 2 bottles —
1 cabernet and 1 champagne and charged $ 50.00. First I thought — are they
in the champagne business? I just opened the bottle and I swear cold duck would
be better! I had to add orange juice to even be able to drink it! You would expect
something drinkable for what I was charged. The cabernet was ok — nothing worth
what I was charged. Kinda of left a bad taste in my mouth — or maybe it’s
the champagne that is doing that — YUCKy.

A great stop, and a gorgeous place to stay. We contacted Stefano — they were closed the day before Thanksgiving, but he was nice enough to host us to tour and taste his property and wines.
The property and guest room is stunning, and Stefano is a gracious host.
He tasted us through many of the wines (which we left with some) and then took us throughout the property.
A recommended stop when in the area, and a place to stay.

Stefano and his wife Lisa are so hospitable. Not only is the winery atmosphere gorgeous, but their wines are well produced as well. When you come to taste here, you’re treated like family, not like another dollar coming in to the business like some of the (few) corporate wineries in Amador (whom I won’t name).
They also allow dogs on leash. Tux is good with other dogs, but Squirt almost mauled my 100 pound German Shepherd (who lives with a 14 pound cat at home. Squirt is SUPER protective over the tasting room, so dogs beware.

In addition to thinking that Avio is a really lovely winery in a gorgeous spot with nice wines, I hosted a bridal shower there this past weekend and couldn’t have been happier with the venue. I grew up in Sutter Creek (as did the bride) so it was nice to be able to have the event in such a beautiful spot back home. The people at the winery were very accommodating and helpful. Stefano, the owner, was very helpful and open to allowing us to have the event there, and the volunteers pouring that day were just the nicest people. My favorite wines are the Barbera and Sangiovese. All in all I’m very happy we decided to do this at Avio.
By the way, when I say the place is gorgeous I’m not kidding. There are sweeping views (I can’t imagine how spectacular it is in the fall) and pretty buildings, and I enjoy the animals running around.

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!

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.