We found one such Chardonnay while barrel tasting in Amador County at a winery called Avio.  Here was a wine with none of the big oak qualities that can be hard to pair with food,  with a good acid structure but a round mouth feel and beautiful ripe tropical fruit.  We couldn't resist the opportunity to share this wonderful wine!

The winery, located on Ridge Road near the town of Sutter Creek in western Amador County, was founded in 2003 by Stefano and Lisa Watson who were looking for a region that resembled the village where Lisa’s family lived in Italy.  The family had been making wine there for generations and it was a lifestyle that appealed to the Watsons.  Upon finding the property in Amador, and with help from their Italian family members, Avio (named after the village in Italy ) was born. 

The day we visited the winery was just after the release party for the recently bottled Chardonnay.  The release had been very successful and the winery expects to sell out of the wine within about four months.  It was a glorious Foothill summer day with temperatures in the 80s.  As we toured the lovely grounds of the estate with owner and winemaker Stefano he shared with us the story of how they found the property and began their wine making journey.  Continued ...