St. Avalo Wines
Organically farmed estate Vermentino and Nero d’Avola from California’s Santa Ynez Valley, with Los Olivos tastings
Best known for: Organically farmed estate Vermentino and Nero d’Avola
St. Avalo Wines pairs estate-grown Vermentino and Nero d’Avola with Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon in California’s Santa Ynez Valley. Its vineyard lies within the Los Olivos District American Viticultural Area in Santa Barbara County, with vines growing since 2008 under organic farming principles. Founders Jill and Geir Ramleth anchor the family operation; their son Oliver and daughter-in-law Diana handle marketing and sales.
The Italian varieties give this winery a reason to stand out. The 2022 Vermentino spends 11 months in stainless steel, keeping the emphasis on citrus and bright acidity, while the 2022 Nero d’Avola, a red grape native to Sicily, receives 24 months in French oak. Both hold Double Gold awards from the SommCon International Concours d’Vin—the Vermentino from 2024 and the Nero d’Avola from 2025. Production is genuinely small: 205 cases of that Vermentino and 223 of the Nero d’Avola.
The visitor experience centers on the downtown Los Olivos tasting room at 2963 Grand Avenue, Suite B, rather than the vineyard. Guided tastings feature current releases; walk-ins are welcome, and reservations are encouraged for seated tastings. For travelers looking beyond the familiar California grapes, the Vermentino and Nero d’Avola are the main draw.
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