Our Story
Farming for Our Future
Mission Statement
At DaVero Farms & Winery, we’re dedicated to nurturing a harmonious relationship between us and the land. Through our commitment to biodynamic farming and mindful, traditional winemaking, we produce Italian varietal wines and olive oil in balance with our climate and the ethos of regenerative agriculture. As a hub for education and immersive experience, our living farm sparks personal connections to nature and empowers a shared vision for a positive future, rooted in sustainability.
Certifications
"I'm going to plant this grape and make this wine."
RidgeLy Evers
Founder of Davero Farms & Winery
Our History
<1990: Our Founders and Upper Farm
Over three decades ago, tech visionary Ridgely Evers and Bay Area chef Colleen McGlynn stumbled upon the land that would become DaVero’s beloved Upper Farm. Nestled on a hillside slope on Westside Road in the picturesque town of Healdsburg, right in the heart of the Dry Creek Valley AVA, it initially served as a weekend retreat. They soon realized this land held extraordinary potential.
1990: The Olive Oil Oddyssey
In 1990, their journey took a Mediterranean turn. They imported olive trees from Tuscany—the first since the 1800s! They planted, nurtured, and waited with bated breath. By 1994, they celebrated their first harvest, and in 1997, produced their first significant batch of olive oil. The ’97 oil became the first American extra virgin olive oil to win a blind tasting in a blind lineup amongst Tuscan olive oils, earning widespread acclaim.
1999: Wine Epiphany
Fast forward to 1999, when Evers, dining at a cozy Italian restaurant in New York City, was offered a glass of 1994 Sagrantino di Montefalco. That single glass didn’t just inspire them to make wine—it revolutionized their future, setting them on a joyous journey of discovery.
2000: Vineyard Ventures
In 2000, they planted their inaugural vineyard with Sangiovese and the rare, magnificent Sagrantino. Their Hawk Mountain Vineyard, perched atop their Home Farm, boasts heavy clay soil and a northeastern exposure—perfect for producing small batches of intensely flavorful fruit. Named after Montefalco (“hawk mountain”) in Umbria, this vineyard has become their pride and joy. They began making wine from these vines in 2004, and by 2005, had grafted much of the vineyard to Sagrantino.
2008: Expansion to Lower Farm and Transformation
In 2008, they acquired a grapevine nursery on Westside Road, today’s Lower Farm. This flat, fertile land, bordered by the Dry Creek, had been chemically farmed for 40 years. The 2008 harvest was a turning point—they decided to fully trust Nature, shunning conventional viticulture and winemaking techniques in favor of the natural, time-honored methods they used for their olive oil. They embraced Biodynamic® practices and regenerative farming.
2009 – Present: A Living Farm
With each passing year, their land flourished, supporting olive trees, vineyards, fruit trees, gardens, citrus, lavender, produce, pigs, and a host of wildlife—hawks, songbirds, rabbits, butterflies, turkeys, deer, foxes, and more. Today, the farm is a vibrant, living organism with pollinator gardens, edible gardens, olive groves, fruit orchards, and vineyards.
Our Vision
Through relentless research, bold experimentation, and visionary thought leadership, DaVero Farms & Winery is passionately farming for the future.