Avivo Wines is a California-based producer focusing on sustainable, regenerative farming and transparent winemaking. Their team is committed to crafting wines that are expressive of their region, with minimal intervention in both the vineyard and winery. Avivo champions organic, biodynamic, and regenerative certifications, aiming to restore soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience through its farming practices. It’s about making the land better than when they started.
You all know that I appreciate wineries that work to make the world a better place, and having spoken to many winemakers, I understand how regimented, expensive, and difficult this process can be.
History
Avivo was founded by Ridgely Evers, a wine lover who turned a Healdsburg farm into a force for good. Before making his mark in wine, he helped revive California’s olive oil scene. Inspired by the power of regenerative farming, Ridgely and his team, including winemaker Daniel Fitzgerald and vineyard owner Craig Ledbetter, set out to do something different. They had a mission to craft California wines that are naturally expressive, climate-positive, and free from additives, synthetic colors, and unnecessary sugars.
The Process
Ridgely and his team, including winemaker Daniel Fitzgerald and vineyard owner Craig Ledbetter, set out to craft California wines that are naturally expressive and climate positive.
Their vineyards in Lodi are certified organic, biodynamic, and regenerative—a trifecta you don’t see every day. They grow Mediterranean varietals suited to California’s climate, farmed without chemicals or glyphosate. Avivo is one of only three American wineries certified glyphosate-free. Their approach is all about restoring soil health, fostering biodiversity, and actively capturing carbon — that means their farming helps lock away greenhouse gases instead of releasing them.
Avivo wines are native yeast fermented with minimal intervention. Just regeneratively grown grapes and a touch of SO. But sustainability doesn’t stop at the vineyard. Avivo bottles their wines in lightweight glass to cut down the carbon footprint, and they use Nomacorc corks made from recycled marine plastics.
The Wines
- 2023 Avivo Rosé. This was a blend of 95 percent Sangiovese and 5 percent Syrah. I tasted notes of watermelon, cherry, raspberry, and floral notes. It was a dry and refreshing with no sugar.
- 2021 Avivo Red Blend – I tasted cherry, pomegranate, rhubarb, orange zest, spice and herbs. It is mostly Sangiovese with a touch of Syrah.
Avivo Wines is redefining what stewardship means in California winemaking. Through a steadfast commitment to regenerative, organic, and biodynamic practices, the team continually enhances the health of their land, produces expressive wines, and fosters community and environmental resilience. Their transparent, minimal-intervention approach and climate-driven farming position.
