Location & Atmosphere: In the heart of the Yadkin River Valley lies Raffaldini. As you approach, your eyes are drawn to the grand Tuscan style villa, high on the ridgeline in the distance.
As you approach, the road curves through the vineyard, the large stone and red-tile roofed villa getting gradually larger. Finally, you reach the top of the hillside and arrive, only to realize that this magnificent villa is not a residence, but a beautiful building built for the sole purpose of tasting the wonderful wines of the vineyard. From the crest of the hill, the Raffaldini winery villa looks across the valley to a panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It reminds you of Napa- or, being that this winery specializes in Italian wines, even Tuscany.
The Wines: The wines include the traditional Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, as well as traditional Italian red varietals like Montepulciano, Sangiovese (when grown in Italy, called Chianti), and Girasol rose. White varietals include Vermentino and some sweet blends. For some of their Italian wines, Raffaldini uses a process of appassimento, or slightly drying the grapes prior to fermentation, which produces a more intense flavor. Some of their cheaper wines are very good and solid, and some of the more exotic Italian wines are excellent, if not a bit pricey.
Tastings & Tours: We took a tour conducted by Jay Raffaldini (without special arrangements), where he explained how the family brought extensive old world Italian vines from Italy, but all of the plants withered and died. They determined that the North Carolina clay soil was too heavy, so they planted native North Carolina grapes, such as muscadine and scuppernong, let them firmly take root, and then grafted the Italian vines on top. Then they had great success. You will notice throughout the vineyard that most of the vines have been grafted. Raffaldini Vineyard’s slogan is “Chianti in the Carolinas,” and with their great selection of fine Italian wines, they live up to it well.
Contact: Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery
450 Groce Rd, Ronda, NC 28670
(336) 835-9463
https://www.raffaldini.com/
