Ronda, NC, February 17, 2010—Raffaldini Vineyards is hosting a competition to select a photograph of a rescue dog for the label of its upcoming wine release, Pino Vino II.

Raffaldini Vineyards is accepting photos of rescue dogs between now and April 30, 2010.  The winning photograph will replace the current picture of the Raffaldini family’s rescue dog featured on the first release of Pino Vino.  A portion of the proceeds of the sale of Pino Vino is donated to local animal shelters, and this will continue with Pino Vino II.

“The donations we received from the sales of Pino Vino wine helped fund our spay and neuter program with the Humane Society of Wilkes County, Animal Control Supervisor, Junior Simmons said. “In these times of limited funding and budget cuts, the contribution put forth by Raffaldini Vineyards and their patrons is greatly needed and appreciated.”

Photos of dogs will be accepted via email now through April 30, 2010. Entrants can send their hi-resolution digital photos to info@raffaldini.com. Please include your name and contact information, your pet’s name and a brief story about your dog in 50 words or less. The winner will be announced on May 14 and the Pino Vino II wine will be released at an unveiling ceremony at Raffaldini Vineyards on June 12, 2010.

About Raffaldini Vineyards

Nestled in the Yadkin Valley Region of North Carolina, family-owned Raffaldini Vineyards brings Old World charm to the Old North State. Known as “Chianti in the Carolinas” Raffaldini currently produces both varietal wines and blends with its signature wines being Vermentino, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Sangiovese Riserva and Montepulciano. Raffaldini hosts public and private events throughout the year. Please visit our web site, www.raffaldini.com, call 336.835.9463 or email info@raffaldini.com for more information.

For more information on the Pino Vino II label contest, visit our Event Calendar.

Raffaldini Vineyards is ranked tenth on the list, which also includes wineries from California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Canada. According to WBM, there are now 6,223 wineries in the U.S.

“Raffaldini Vineyards is honored to be on this prestigious list,” Jay Raffaldini, family member and managing partner, said. “We believe that lesser-known Italian varietals like Vermentino and Montepulciano offer people an exciting alternative to more commonly found wine.  We are convinced that with diligent vineyard management and thoughtful winemaking that wines can be crafted that are both distinctive and affordable.”

Wine Business Monthly has the largest circulation of any wine trade publication in North America. According to WBM, the Hot Small Brands List of 2009 includes “some of today’s most exciting brands from small- and medium-sized producers.”

“We gravitate toward wineries and brands that represent market trends or innovation, that take leadership position in their regions, or that make unusual varietals or unexpected wines,” the article’s author, Cyril Penn, writes. “Smart marketing only goes so far, these wines need to pass the taste test. Consider this list to be a collection of wines our editors would serve at a party. We do serve them during a gathering we host during the annual Unified Wine & Grape Symposium.”

About Raffaldini Vineyards

Nestled in the Yadkin Valley Region of North Carolina, family-owned Raffaldini Vineyards brings Old World charm to the Old North State. Known as “Chianti in the Carolinas,” Raffaldini currently produces both varietal wines and blends with its signature wines being Vermentino, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Sangiovese Riserva and Montepulciano. Raffaldini hosts public and private events throughout the year. Please visit our web site, www.raffaldini.com, call 336.835.9463 or email info@raffaldini.com for more information.

Ronda, NC, January 5, 2010—For the first time, Raffaldini Vineyards will make available for sale a limited supply of previously sold out wines to its wine club and the general public.

Each year, small amounts of cased wine are set aside in what is known as “the “library,” retained for wine competitions, research and other initiatives. Represented in the sale will be some of Raffaldini Vineyard’s most popular wines including Montepulciano, SPQR, Bella Misto and others. While still possessing excellent character and taste, some of the remaining wines are not longer needed in these quantity levels. 

“To find properly-aged wine is rare opportunity, especially from an emerging wine region,” Winemaker, Stephen Rigby, said. “These bottles show excellent flavor and finesse as mature wines and are perfect for sharing with close friends and family.”

Raffaldini Wine Club members can taste and purchase these select wines starting Jan. 9^th. On Jan. 22^nd, any remaining library inventory will be available to the general public. Please note that in some cases, the remaining inventory is less than one case so supplies are extremely limited.  Don’t miss this opportunity to take home and enjoy this part of NC wine history!

About Raffaldini Vineyards

Nestled in the Yadkin Valley Region of North Carolina, family-owned Raffaldini Vineyards brings Old World charm to the Old North State. Known as “Chianti in the Carolinas,” Raffaldini currently produces both varietal wines and blends with its signature wines being Vermentino, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Sangiovese Riserva and Montepulciano. Raffaldini hosts public and private events throughout the year. Please visit our web site, www.raffaldini.com, call 336.835.9463 or email info@raffaldini.com for more information.

Ciao Amici,

The Bella Blending trials have been completed and we had over 600 participants (now connoisseurs) attend the sessions.  Similar to last year, we received a duality of results with some people liking the more approachable wine with Merlot and Cabernet Franc as its base while others preferred the more robust version with Petit Verdot and Montepulciano as the core.  So as was the case when we made the softer Bella Misto and more robust SPQR in 2008, we are making two wines again.  The more fruit forward Bella Misto and a new more rustic wine called Oenotria.  Both wines will be in the February wine club package and available for sale (with in all probability limited purchase restrictions) at the Villa shortly after that.

Now about the results.  The final numbers came in as below:

Merlot  16%
Cabernet Franc  14%
Cabernet Sauvignon  26%
Montepulciano  27%
Petit Verdot  17%

While the percentages look close, there really is a strong preference for two wines given the many all or none responses.  Most interesting to me were several comments that they gave Montepulciano a zero allocation given that the wine is excellent all by itself.  As I mentioned at the trials, the Montepulciano will not be used in this blend.  I included it as I wanted to see your reactions when I lined it up against the other grapes.  The fact that is was the most preferred wine tells me that my decision to pull up the last of my Merlot and Cabernet Franc vine plantings in favor of more Montepulciano was the correct one.  We had some Malbec wine that I did not include in this trial and it will replace the Montepulciano in the final blends.  While you did not get to taste it this year, it will be part of the permanent line up next year going forward. 

So I want to thank all of you for your active participation at the blending trials and the excellent feedback.  I hope to see you all at next's years trials when we say farewell to the last Merlot and Cabernet Franc while making room for Malbec into the Raffaldini line up.

Best wishes to all this holiday season,

Ronda, NC, October 9, 2009— Have you ever wanted to be a winemaker? At the 2009 Bella Blending Trials, Raffaldini Vineyards invites you to create the blend for their next wine, Bella Misto.

At each session, participants are greeted in the barrel room with a series of bottles containing single-varietal wines and guided through a tasting with Owner Jay Raffaldini. After tasting and rating each varietal, guests will make a blend using their notes and their palates. Blends will be rated by the winemakers at Raffaldini, with the best blend earning the name Bella Misto.

“Blending is the most interesting step in the winemaking endeavor,” Winemaker Stephen Rigby, said. “Whether blending various varieties, clones, vineyards or styles, one’s challenge is to create the most unique and expressive wine which is a true reflection and impression of the vineyard’s time and place…oh, and it has to taste good too.”

In 2008, blenders helped to make the 2007 Bella Misto and 2007 SPQR. Both wines went on to win multiple medals including gold at the Lodi International Wine Competition in Lodi, CA.

The cost is $15 per person. Call the vineyard at 336.835.9463 to make a reservation for any weekend in November or the first weekend in December.

Nestled in the Yadkin Valley Region of North Carolina, family-owned Raffaldini Vineyards brings Old World charm to the Old North State. Known as “Chianti in the Carolinas” Raffaldini currently produces both varietal wines and blends with its signature wines being Vermentino, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Sangiovese Riserva and Montepulciano. Raffaldini hosts public and private events throughout the year. Please visit our web site, www.raffaldini.com, call 336.835.9463 or email info@raffaldini.com for more information.