Written by Linzi Gay, President, Clif Family Winery & Farm
This summer I spent two weeks in Italy, and I came home changed by a single moment of the day.
We traveled from Rome to Venice and up into the Dolomites. The cities looked nothing alike, the food shifted from region to region, and the mountains were a world away from the canals. But everywhere we went, there was one part of the day I started to look forward to more than any tour or dinner reservation. It happened in the early evening, and the Italians call it aperitivo.
What Aperitivo Actually Is
Aperitivo is the period before dinner when everyone comes outside. Shops slow down, tables fill up, and neighbors, coworkers, and travelers all gather to share a drink and catch up before the evening meal.
The formula is simple. You order something cold and refreshing, usually a spritz or a glass of white wine, and it arrives with a few snacks. In our case that typically meant a little dish of olives, a bowl of potato chips, and some peanuts. Nothing fancy. That is the point.
What struck me was how unhurried it all felt. In Rome we sat in a piazza and watched the light turn gold on the buildings. In Venice we found a spot along the canal and let an hour disappear. In the Dolomites we sipped something crisp with the mountains going pink behind us. By the end of the trip I realized aperitivo was my favorite part of the day, and it had almost nothing to do with what was in the glass. It was the company and sharing our day together.
Napa Valley Was Built for This
In Italy, aperitivo leans on the spritz. Here, it’s about the wine. We live in one of the great growing regions in the world, the evenings cool off into that soft golden light, and there is a long tradition of pouring a glass and gathering on the porch or in the garden. All we have to do is give it a name and make it a habit. Call it aperitivo hour, call it golden hour, call it the reason you finally sit down. The idea travels just fine.
The one thing I wanted to hold onto from Italy was the lightness. Aperitivo happens before dinner, which means you want a wine you can enjoy a glass or two of and still show up for the meal, the conversation, and whatever comes after. Something refreshing, easy, and low in alcohol.
The Pour: Vino del Pranzo Sauvignon Blanc
This is where our Vino del Pranzo Sauvignon Blanc has become my go-to. The name means "lunch wine" in Italian, and it was inspired by the same kind of European afternoons I fell for on this trip. At 8.5% alcohol, it is lower than a typical white, which is exactly what you want for a slow evening that starts early and runs long.
It is bright, crisp, and fruit forward, the kind of glass that wakes up your palate before dinner rather than weighing it down. You can sip it, refill it, and still feel clear-headed enough to make dinner and stay up for the good part of the night. For aperitivo, that lower-alcohol quality is not a compromise. It is the whole idea.
The Snacks: Keep It Simple, Keep It Good
In Italy, the snacks are easy, so you can focus on the people. The good news is that we make everything at Clif Family you need for a proper spread.
Start with our Organic Savory Nut Mixes. They are the natural upgrade to that little bowl of peanuts I loved in Rome, and they hold their own next to a cold glass of white. Set a few dishes around the table and let people graze.
Then, if you want to round things out, our wine jellies are a simple way to turn a plate of cheese and charcuterie into something that a bit more special. Spoon a little onto a firm cheese, layer it with cured meat and a cracker, and you have an easy and delicious snack. It is a small effort with a big payoff, which is the spirit of aperitivo.
Try It This Week
You do not need a plane ticket to Italy to bring this home. You need an hour or two, a few chairs in the golden light, and the willingness to sit down before dinner instead of rushing through it.
Pour the Vino del Pranzo Sauvignon Blanc, put out the nut mixes and a board with a spoonful of wine jelly, and invite someone over.
Cin cin.
Everyday Aperitivo
If you want to bring a little of that Italian leisure home, our Vino del Pranzo Sauvignon Blanc is made for exactly this. Lighter in alcohol and made for lingering, it is the easy pour for aperitivo hour: crisp enough for the late afternoon sun and timed for golden hour. Organically farmed in our Napa Valley vineyard, it is bright, crisp, and fruit-forward at 8.5% ABV — enough for the vacation feeling, easy enough for a second glass. Serve chilled. Slow down often.
