Cave As winery production boomed, we needed to add barrel storage and aging capacity. With no workable site near the winery, going underground was the answer. The beneficial barrel-aging environment, combined with the low impact on the estate, was practical and aesthetically pleasing. Our 48,000-square-foot underground, naturally cooled barrel-aging cave was constructed in four phases, beginning in 1997. Today, AVV is home to the largest barrel aging cave in the country. Our barrels age at a steady temperature and humidity, minimizing evaporative loss. No electricity is needed to cool the caves, helping to reduce our carbon footprint. Winery visitors enjoy touring the caves and barrel-tasting the young wines daily.
