Take Flight with Vino Volo

March 14, 2019

I’ve met many a traveler who rolls their eyes at the prospect of having an extended layover at an airport.

I can’t blame them—reaching their final destination often time means reconnecting with loved ones or disconnecting from work. But when you visit any number of airports you can find a hidden gem called Vino Volo—a boutique food and wine bar that serves as the perfect location to begin your journey.

Aptly named “Wine Flight”, the company originated in San Franciso in 2004, and serves by the bottle, glass, or flight. I visited their Reno/Tahoe Airport location recently, where they feature a beautiful market serving salads and sandwiches made from locally sourced produce.

I was delighted to see many of my local favorites served, including freshly ground HUB Coffee, made with a coffee machine flows in from Florence, Italy, and a generous selection of Davidson Tea. Their wine selection features local vineyards such as Nevada Sunset, Andis from Amador, Boeger, Lava Cap & Madrona from El Dorado California. They strive to comprise their list of 40-50% of wines local to the region to give visitors a taste of their new surroundings.

My wine pick of the day was the Andis Cabernet Sauvignon Blend “Painted Field”—an incredible wine with amazing flavor. I would also be remise if I didn’t mention the perfect snack for your carry-on bag, which is, of course, Kimmie Candy’s & Tahoe Trail Bars!

The menu and wine list, coupled with their excellent customer service makes Vino Volo a definite #DebsPick!

Special thanks to the wonderful Valerio Mariani, General Manager, for taking the time to walk me through all of their offerings. Valerio grew up in Milan, Italy and spent 8 years in Canada before moving to Reno. When asked what his favorite wine is, he confessed that it is a dry Lambrusco—a sparkling red from Modena, and a pick shared by his dear grandmother.

I look forward to learning more about Valerio when he joins me for an upcoming #DebsDestination trip to explore the Sierra Foothills, El Dorado Wine Country, and Amador!