A touch of Tuscany

The Viaggio on the River is located in Acampo on the Mokelumne River. The venue that began as a family residence now includes a winery, office, events hall, vineyard and walnut orchard. (Jennifer M. Howell/News-Sentinel)

A touch of Tuscany

The Viaggio Winery and Estate is a new showplace for weddings, receptions and wine enjoyment

By Lauren Nelson
Lodi Living Editor

Friday, September 4, 2009 7:04 PM PDT

Comments (1 comment(s))

Between a tranquil strip of the Mokelumne River and winegrape vineyards bustling with workers during harvest season, there is a place that radiates relaxation, love and luxury. The Viaggio on the River is a 23-acre winery and estate in Acampo that is dream for its owners, as well as for brides determined to have the wedding experience they've always imagined.

The Viaggio On the River Estate & Winery is owned by Kent and Tamara Raverty, who bought the property about seven years ago. In July 2008, they began the adventure of creating the event venue and winery that mimics the best of Italy and accents of upscale Disneyland, one of the family's favorite places simply because it's fun and makes everyone feel like a kid. Though events are already held at the venue, the winery will open to the public later this month.

After family friends were married on the Raverty's property, guests saw potential in the property.

"They said, 'Gees Kent, you should do something with this place'," Kent Raverty said.

A little over a year later, it's almost ready to go public.

The estate encompasses several outdoor locations for events, as well as a winery and owner's cellar, events hall, bridal suite and office.

With old-age aesthetics and a luxurious, yet comfortable atmosphere, the estateis already a popular venue for those seeking a destination wedding that is elegant without all of the fuss. Viaggio has hosted wedding clients from San Francisco, Sacramento and New York.

"They believe we are like Napa," event director Theresa Hart said.

Born and raised in Lodi, and a Tokay High School graduate, Kent Raverty didn't get his inspiration from wandering the stone streets in Italy or studying architecture books. He just knew what he wanted.

"I've never traveled. I've never been out of the country, really . . . I just had a picture (in my mind)," he said.

For 22 years, Kent Raverty owned Kent's Oils that operated out of Stockton. He sold the company shortly after he bought the Acampo property.

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As the wrought iron gates open at the end of Taddei Road, guests are ushered onto the estate and greeted by the large home, where the Raverty's live with their four children and two dogs. Like the rest of the buildings on the property, the color of the house is a light-colored, rustic yellow-gold that emulates exactly how'd you'd imagine the Tuscan sun to be on a summer's day. The house itself is overwhelming, decorated on the outside with brick walkways, pillars in the entryway, arched windows and wrought iron fencing wrapping around the second floor balcony.

The front of the houses sits on the edge of the estate, separated from the Mokelumne River by a lower level lawn and tiered brick terrace.

Guests follow the graveled road between just-planted grapes and the house to a large parking lot lit with old-fashioned street lamps and music that just seems to exist in the air.

"Visitors like when they get out of their car and they're greeted by music," Hart said, describing some of the details that went into creating what is now the Viaggio experience.

At the entrance of Viaggio, "Where Your Journey to Forever Begins," is written in black metal script over the entrance archway. The stone-tiled courtyard known as Main Street is lined with umbrella-covered tables, beds of purple and pink flowers, olive trees and streaming water fountains.

"We like to come out here and sit," said Tamara Raverty, who enjoys the quiet and is excited about sharing the experience.

Kent Raverty at a glance

Occupation: Owner, Viaggio on the River Winery & Estate
Family: Wife Tamara and four children ages, 13-18
Pets: Jack, a Jack Russell; Heidi, a German Shepherd.
Age: 46
Hometown: Lodi
High school: Tokay High School
Previous work: Owner, Kent's Oil in Stockton
Favorite thing to do in Lodi: Fly in his helicopters and plane, his King Air, a twin engine turbo prop.
Favorite place to fly to: The family lodge in Idaho, where they go monthly.

On Main Street is the entrance to Vino Di Vita, Raverty's winery that will soon open to the public. The deep purple walls with high ceilings add sophistication and surprise. Black beams of wood criss-cross like an architectural maze. A black baby grand piano sits in the corner. Against the back wall is the bar, where bottles of Viaggio wine, currently bottled by Oakridge Winery, is kept. In a nook to the side, a long table that sits more than 15 people is surrounded with high-backed leather chairs. The nook is intimate and decorated with Old English paintings in chunky gold frames. Above the table, wrought iron chandeliers light the room. In the middle of the room, a large rectangle in the floor leads down to Raverty's personal wine cellar via a spiraling staircase. When some of the wine production is moved to Viaggio later this year, Kent Raverty says the estate will bottle Cabernet, Chardonnay, Merlot and more.

To the side of the winery is a patio surrounded by a brick wall that houses Kent Raverty's pizza oven.

Indoor wedding receptions and other events take place in La Vita Bell (Beautiful Life), a massive hall that is home to the estate's state-of-the-art, full-service kitchen, which is complete with a large widescreen TV. The room holds at least 450 people, has an large arched doorway, terra cotta tiles on the floors and master beams across the ceilings.

Most events at Viaggio are weddings, but other fundraisers — like the Moonlight Gala for the American Cancer Society, high school reunions and a dinner auction for the Lodi Boys and Girls Club — have been held at the venue.

"It's a blank canvas," Hart said because the room transforms into a new venue for every event.

With a covered porch facing the gardens and river is the Amore Bridal Suite. Much like a single-room cottage, the suite has several couches for mothers-of-the-brides and bridesmaids to rest on as the bride gets ready in the red-lighted bedroom with a large billowy bed and bathroom area.

Events can be held nearly anywhere on the estate, Hart said. However, one of the most popular spots is the walnut orchard, La Bella Fume, that extends on the west side of the property. The orchard is paved with grass that provides a haven of shade on sunny days.

When it comes to hosting and planning weddings, Viaggio is already keeping busy. Not only is the estate a place people would want to get married, but it's also far less of a hassle as Viaggio has its own wedding planners who work closely with the bride, groom and their entire families.

On a thick wooden bookshelf in the Viaggio office, rows of three-ring notebooks are dedicated to each bride. In each, there is information about attending guests, budget details, the brides' colors, food choices and other wedding notes. Each bride creates a wedding inspiration that includes photos, color swatches and place settings they like.

During first consultations, brides and grooms often bring their families who offer input. One family even brought 20 guests, Hart said. The first meetings are low-pressure, and each visitor is offered a glass of wine or champagne.

"Everybody who comes through loves it," Kent Raverty said.

Viaggio on the River Estate & Winery is located at 100 E. Taddei Road in Acampo. For more information about the venue, visit www.vaggiowinery.com or call 368-1378.

Reader Feedback

Lodian wrote on Sep 5, 2009 8:45 PM:

" The website address listed is incorrect. The address is www.viaggiowinery.com. "

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