50% Savings on Meticulously Crafted California Red and White!
Ridgely Evers is not your average winery owner. Since creating QuickBooks in 1991, has lived a dual life as an innovator in the software world, and advocate for California's organic and regenerative farming movement.
His Avivo project is an effort to bring organic, biodynamic and regeneratively farmed California wines to a broader audience. Sourced from the Ledbetter family's vineyards in Lodi, the wines hit the market at $24 to strong accolades.
Thanks to a Vin Chicago right time, right place scenario, we picked up his gems up for a song, and bring them to you today for half their intended price!
Earning up to 92 points, both wines speak to their Italian heritage with a Californian accent, and are flying today for $11.99. The value here is nuts. Read on for the details, then hit the Big Green Button to get in on the action!
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2021 Avivo "Ledbetter Family Vineyards" Sangiovese
Lodi, California
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Third-generation, Lodi-raised grape farmer Craig Ledbetter has found that Sangiovese—native to the rolling hills of Tuscany where it stars as the main grape of Chianti—also thrives in California’s Mediterranean climate.
Tasted blind, we immediately identified the variety as Italian. Delicious from the pop of the cork, it boasts loads of cherry, raspberry and hibiscus along with a subtle pinch of exotic pepper from the inclusion of 5% Syrah. The palate is bright and lively with a nice bit of smoothness rounding out the frame. Downright delicious, the possibilities at the table are really endless. There are no hard edges, and the wine's suaveness had us begging for another sip. Awarding 92 points, Wine Enthusiast writes...
“This wine is bright, lively, with aromas of raspberry, orange zest, dried herbs, mineral, and florals on the nose. The flavors on the palate are juicy cranberry-rhubarb, strawberry coulis, dried bay leaf, layered with grilled lemon zest, earth, and dry finish. Pair with your favorite weekday meal.”
- 92 Points, Wine Enthusiast (5/1/2025)
Wine Enthusiast quotes a $24 release price. The median across 46 listings is $18. We crush both of those amounts. This is a fun one, and the price is hot!
Vin Chicago Price: 11.99
2023 Avivo "Ledbetter Family Vineyards" Vermentino
Lodi, California
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This past weekend, a Vermentino from the sea-sprayed, sunbaked slopes of Sardinia was poured on our Saturday tasting table and ended up as the top selling wine of the day. Impressively, this Californian-grown example presents similarly, is farmed to higher standards, and costs less!
Somehow the Ledbetters harness the magic of Vermentino from their inland vineyard, beautifully conveying its salt-kissed signature atop notes of melon, lemon-lime, pineapple, cream soda, hay and mango peel.
This white is so immediately charming that you’d be hard pressed to find a better “aperitif” welcome wine, and you'll find yourself going back to it over and over to greet your guests. It is wonderfully aromatic with a vibrant acidity that doesn’t overpower or exhaust the palate. Outrageously consistent, our notes from two samples tasted three weeks apart form mirror images.
“Fresh, lively, aromatic notes on the nose are citrus, green guava, and white flowers, which glide into flavors of white grapefruit segments, youthful white peach with acidity and mineral dancing across the palate, finishing on thoughts of sunshine and an afternoon by the pool.”
- 91 Points, Wine Enthusiast (12/31/2025)
Again, Wine Enthusiast quotes $24 for this organic, regeneratively farmed white. Looking online, nobody even comes close to our price!
Vin Chicago Price: 11.99
