The ornate iron gates swing open to beckon the visitor into the vineyard. A wide driveway curves through sturdy vines framed by a backdrop of oak-studded hills rolling gently toward the snow-covered peaks far in the distance. Ahead, a small rustic stucco barn-like structure emerges from the vineyard and soon a classic Italian fountain invites you to step into a cozy piazza surrounded by blossoming roses. You have arrived at Avio. Not the Avio of northeastern Italy but Avio Vineyards located on Ridge road in our very own Amador County.

For proprietors Stefano and Lisa Watson, it’s not as important where they came from as where the want to go and what they want to do at Avio. “We want a visit to Avio to be like visiting a small Italian farmstead in Tuscany. The tasting room and fountain-dominated courtyard are modeled on the small Tuscan wineries we visited during our trips to Italy,” Lisa stated. Lisa was born and raised in Avio, a small Italian town on Lake Garda about 35 kilometers north of Verona where here uncles are still winemakers.

Visiting the grounds of Avio is like stepping into a completely different world of rustic Tuscan elegance and beauty. “We have plants of every kind on the property including over 100 fruit trees, tropical plants of all types, a variety of roses, and even some plants Master Gardener’s haven’t yet identified,” Lisa says. “There is always something in bloom and we have a diversity of unique foliage that kind of make our grounds a mini botanical garden.”

The Carriage House is a one-room guest lodge with a unique upscale western theme available for anniversaries, honeymoons and other special events. Lisa explains that, “When people rent the Carriage House, they have access to all our grounds including the hiking trails, pool, hot tub, and gardens.” Avio’s grounds also offer a number of picturesque settings for weddings up to 200 guests. Vineyard vistas and unobstructed views of the river canyon, surrounding foothills and Sierra peaks provide exquisite and unique nuptial options.

Avio has 30 of its 77 acres under vine. “We grow several different varietals including Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Aglianico, Orange Muscat, and Pinot Noir,” Stefano says. “Our soils are unique to Amador

County in that our property used to be a river bottom. The volcanic activity that formed Butte Mountain pushed this area up so we have well drained soil with the all the minerals and nutrients of the valley floor. At 1,750 foot elevation with cold air drainage and delta breezes, we have distinctive growing conditions here that are amazing.”

Stefano does all his own viticulture work and with the help of a consulting winemaker, produces about 2,000 cases of between 11 and 14 different wines. “Since we want to recreate a bit of Tuscany in Amador County, we tend to focus on Italian wines including Barbera, Sangiovese and a Chianti-style red table-wine called ‘Barbed’ Wire Red’. We are the only estate producer of estate Pinot Grigio in Amador County which was just voted “Best Wine in Amador” and we do a Super Tuscan blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.”

The Avio 2005 Barbera has a lively, fruity nose with flavors of cherry, coffee, and tobacco supported by elegant tannins that provide a juicy finish. Avio’s 2005 Sangiovese is dry, spicy, robust and complex with a deep ruby color. Aromas of strawberry, walnut, and fig precede the flavor of silky strawberry jam. Barbed Wire Red is a Sangiovese-based wine faithfully made in the style and tradition of Tuscan Chianti. “Our fingerprints are on every bottle of wine since we do everything on site including bottling and labeling.” Lisa explains.

The Tuscan feel of Avio really comes alive during a series of special summer events starting this year with the May 18 Amador Wine and Jazz Jubilee. Avio will host the headliner band – Jazzin’ Jacks from Sweden - at noon on Sunday. On June 21, 2008 – Avio will hold its annual release party featuring new vintages of Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, two Zinfandels, a Rose’ and a Merlot.

Avio’s most renowned events are the three “Mediterranean Nights in the Vineyard” programs featuring the cuisine of European area. The culinary tour of the Mediterranean this year begins on July 11 celebrating the diverse flavors of Florence, followed by a July 18 feast on the vibrant dishes of Barcelona, and concludes with the cuisine of exotic Morocco on July 25.

The Friday evenings begin with a champagne & hors d’oeuvre reception in the tasting room then guests are transported to the Sangiovese vineyard for a five course dinner with specially paired wines under a majestic old oak. The evening includes live music and concludes with coffee, dessert and Stefano’s homemade lemoncello back in the tasting room. Reservations for these dinners are limited to 50 guests and Avio wine club members get first choice of dates and preferred seating.

Avio is indeed a little bit of Tuscany in Amador County. “We really want our visitors to have the same intimate, once in a life time experience here on The Ridge that we had in the tiny wineries of Italy.” If you plan to visit Avio, be prepared to spend a leisurely afternoon building a personal relationship with hosts Stefano and Lisa Watson who are in the tasting room from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information about Avio and the Dinner in the Vineyard series, call 209-267-1515 or visit their website at www.AvioWine.com

Avio – per l’amore di famiglia. (For the love of Family)