Sarah Beaudreau
Want to Visit Italy? Travel to Angels Camp, California to Avellino Italian Market and Wine Bar
Photo from Avellino website
This last weekend had a wonderful, unexpected experience wine tasting and eating at a new venue called Avellino Italian Market & Wine Bar. As noted by the name this is a combination of a wine bar, small plates for dine-in (both inside & outside), homemade Italian foods to go and specialty items. What a treat to enter a shop where 99% of the items are imported from Italy. It was like being transported effortlessly to Italy without any air travel!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Started the tasting sitting at the wine bar experiencing wines from various parts of Italy. Found out the wine list changes weekly and to my surprise they had one of my favorite white wines, Torremossa Fiano. A wine with bright and crisp notes of fruits in the nose and soft minerality and a saline finish.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Next up was Montepeloso, a super Tuscan comprised of equal amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Montepulciano and Sangiovese wines. Lots of flavor from the assemblage of these grapes being complex and very balanced.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Followed by Familia a collaboration of Carlo Deperu and Tatiana Holler. Ripe cherries dominated the palate with dark inky coloration and spiciness. The wine is from Sardinia combining grapes of Muristellu, Caricagiola and a tinge of Cannonau.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The next wine was a shining star, Barrosu. A big bold wine from Sardinia made from Cannonau, Grenache grapes. Bramble and a earthy minerality finish. This wine is best served with a big meal but still enjoyable to taste. A couple of other wines were tasted but wanted to highlight these.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
During this last weekend rain and light showers were constant and chilly (by California standards). Ordered a bowl of hot minestrone soup and this was like nothing I have ever tasted outside of Italy. Fresh vegetables galore, cheese, croutons, pork sausage and every Italian spice known. The flavors and textures were amazing and warmed us up immediately. The size of the bowl was twice what I was expecting and consumed every drop of the soup.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Next up was to choose a wine to go with our charcuterie board that was ordered. Elected to go with a Chianti Classico, Isole e Olena as it would complement so many of the items on the board. Opening with an enchanting fragrance of flowers and red berries. On the palate there is juicy raspberry and red plum with a presence of silky tannins surrounding the fruit. The charcuterie plate looked like a feast for King & Queen.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
All the items on the board were imported meats and cheeses from Italy. They included the following: prosciutto di Parma, Mortadella con pistachio, Coppa Stagionata (season Coppa), Salame con Finocchio (with fennel), Salame Picante (spicy), Taleggio, Pecorino Toscano and fresh Mozzarella cheeses. Served with the fresh baguette was fig jam, pickled vegetables, spicy olives, hot honey and semi-dried cherry tomatoes.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Besides the indoor seating, they have an outdoor rustic patio area but due to the inclement weather everyone was inside and the facility was packed. The interior was tastefully decorated with Italian art, posters and signage.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
They also sell the wines tasted and others not on the weekly tasting list. There were three racks of wine with various price points. The one rack that caught my attention included a Barolo, a Brunello di Montalcino, a Chianti Classico and Montepulciano.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Have not mentioned the ownership up to this point. Sara Beaudreau is the proprietor of Avellino Wine Bar. Sara was the chef and owner of Sarafina’s Italian Kitchen in Arnold until recently when she sold it. In November of 2024, Avellino was opened in downtown Angels Camp. Her creativity and authentic dishes are amazing and inspirational. Many other items were on the menu, and we only tried two! The current listing of tantalizing foods can be found on their website.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
One last note, Sarah and her entire staff were working tirelessly and flittering like bees the entire time we were there providing a level of service not often found in the Sierra foothills. A special thank you to Debi Miller for encouraging me to visit.
Sláinte or better yet for this article, saluti!
Michael Kelly