AVIVO Wines, the sister winery of DaVero Farms & Winery, was founded by Ridgely Evers with a clear vision: to craft wines that are as good for the planet as they are enjoyable at the table. Guided by principles of transparency and sustainability, AVIVO sources its fruit exclusively from certified organic and regenerative vineyards. The focus is on Mediterranean grape varieties—well suited to California’s warm, dry conditions—that thrive in places like Lodi, where careful farming and a favorable climate allow them to flourish.

The winemaking follows the same thoughtful path. AVIVO is committed to minimal intervention, relying on native fermentations, no additives, and only a touch of sulfites to preserve purity. Even the packaging reflects that ethos: lightweight bottles reduce carbon footprint, while corks made from recycled ocean-bound plastic offer a small but meaningful solution to a larger environmental challenge. Every choice echoes the winery’s mission to leave the planet better than they found it.

The 2022 AVIVO White and 2023 AVIVO Rosé—two samples I received—showcase not only the winery’s philosophy, but also its partnership with the Ledbetter Family Vineyards. Part of Vino Farms, the Ledbetters have been pillars of Northern California viticulture for generations, farming thousands of acres with a deep commitment to sustainability, organics, and community. Their leadership in initiatives like Lodi Rules, the state’s first third-party certified sustainable winegrowing program, underscores their dedication to farming as stewardship—cultivating grapes with an eye on the future.

Together, AVIVO’s purpose-driven winemaking and the Ledbetters’ sustainable farming form a partnership rooted in authenticity, responsibility, and respect for the land.

Disclosure: These wines were received as media samples; all opinions expressed are my own.

2022 AVIVO White

The AVIVO White is made from 100% Vermentino sourced from the Ledbetter Family Vineyards in Lodi, with sites on rocky benchland soils and along the sandy alluvial edge of the Mokelumne River. The fruit comes from organic vineyards that are regeneratively farmed. Fermentation took place with native yeast, followed by nine months of aging in a combination of neutral French oak barrels and stainless steel. A nominal amount of SO₂ was added at bottling.

Tasting note: Pale straw color with lemon verbena, white peach, nectarine, lime zest and petrichor aromas. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied with refreshing zesty acidity and ripe fruit flavors of white peach, nectarine, mixed citrus (lemon/lime) zest with an appealing kiss of saline minerality. 12.8% abv| SRP – $24| 89pts

2023 AVIVO Rosé

The AVIVO Rosé is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Syrah, sourced from organic vineyards that are regeneratively farmed. The fruit is hand-harvested and fermented with indigenous yeast, then aged in neutral French oak barrels for five months. To maintain purity, only a nominal amount of SO₂ was added at bottling.

Tasting note: Pale salmon hue with strawberry hard candy, red cherry, watermelon, pink grapefruit, and dried herb aromas. On the palate, it’s medium bodied and fresh with ripe strawberry, red cherry, watermelon, pink grapefruit flavors accented with an appealing wet stone minerailty. 12.8% abv| SRP – $24| 89pts

Final Thoughts

True to their name—AVIVO means “Alive” in Italian—these wines brim with vitality. They are delicious, refreshing, and food-friendly, crafted to shine at the table while honoring the land that produced them. At $24 a bottle, they deliver not just quality, but remarkable value. AVIVO’s commitment to sustainability and authenticity comes through in every sip, offering wines that feel as alive as the principles behind them.