Harvest Has Begun!
Our winemaking team has been hard at work this week picking the first fruit of the 2022 vintage! Our newest varietal, Trebbiano was the first off the vine as the newest component in our sparkling wine program. We look forward to the crisp fruit flavor and creamy texture this grape will bring to our traditional method sparkling wine, Auguri. Stop by the Villa during the month of September and you may catch harvest in action!
|
|
Traditional Amphorae Added to Winery
We are proud to announce the news of our two new arrivals from Sonoma. These two custom made concrete Amphoras each weighing two and a half tons will be used to further sharpen and enhance our Vermentino Superiore. Concrete and its predecessor clay were frequently used to ferment and age wine instead of oak barrels and more recently stainless steel. While stainless steel does not impart any oak flavors it also does not allow oxygen to exchange which enhances wines. By contrast oak barrels allow oxygen to exchange but can impart flavors that dilute the purity of the fruit. Concrete will deliver the best of both of both worlds, oxygen passage and no flavor pick up. We are very excited to see these wines and you will be able to taste it when the 2022 Vermentino comes out on March 2023.
|
|
 Saturday, September 3 - Gallo Nero Release
Wine Club MembersWhen life was simpler and slower and being together was the rule not the exception, one wine was quite commonly found in Italian restaurants and grocery stores, and that was a Chianti sold in straw bottles known as ‘fiascos." Everyone emembers these bottles adorning checkered cloth tables and once the wine was consumed, they became candle holders with the red and green wax drippings on the bottle. What many did not know is that the fiasco bottle held 1-liter worth of wine, 33% more than a standard bottle which is probably why so many people left the dinner table very happy.
We have crafted a beautiful Sangiovese blend called Gallo Nero (Black Rooster in Italian, the symbol of Chianti). The wine is more structured than the typical Sangiovese blends we make as I wanted it to pair with much more than “red sauce." It is a gem and when you purchase one of these commemorative bottles you will also receive a red or green candle so the Raffaldini fiasco (no pun intended) can have a second life.
|
|
Saturday, September 3 - Monday, September 5 - Labor Day Weekend Family Day
Labor Day Weekend at Raffaldini Vineyards means relaxing with family and friends, drinking wine, eating some delicious food from Dogs R' Us under Carolina blue skies. Raffaldini invites you to bring the entire family to enjoy the holiday with us.
|
|
Raffaldini Vineyards and a/perture Cinema present:
Cinema Raffaldini - Sideways
Saturday, September 10
Raffaldini Vineyards is proud to support the arts in the Yadkin Valley. We are partnering with our friends at a/perture Cinema in Winston-Salem, a non-profit, independent theater to bring you an evening of Italian cinema under the stars!
 For the past decade and more, a/perture has been serving the community the art of film and providing a communal cinematic experience. They screen over 250 films and special events annually, with more than 4,000 screenings per year. a/perture is the only dedicated year-round art house cinema in the Piedmont Triad.
Dinner will include pizza from our friends at Dom Bakeries, popcorn, and a glass of Raffaldini wine with more available for purchase to enjoy during the screening as you watch the film Sideways under the stars.
Tickets for this special fun dinner and movie experience at Raffaldini are $30 +tax per person, and help support a/perture. Outdoor seating will be provided, but if you want to bring a blanket that is fine too.
Dinner and mingling will begin at 7pm with movie showtime at 8pm. We hope you will join us in supporting the arts in our community.
|
|
17th Annual Festa Italiana
Saturday & Sunday, September 17 & 18
All Ages Welcome! Rain or Shine
Our biggest event of the year returns! The epicenter of Italian culture in the Piedmont is here on Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18 as food vendors, musicians, artists, and craftsmen from across the region descend on Chianti in the Carolinas for this annual celebration of Italian culture, food, art, music, and of course, wine. Enjoy the festival atmosphere or join one of our breakout sessions featuring in depth discussions with Jay Raffaldini and our team on winemaking, vineyard, Italian trivia and more!
Visit our official Festa Page for the latest and stay tuned for upcoming artist and vendor announcements!
Advance General Admission: $20
Day of Admission: $25
|
|
Upcoming Events
Four Seasons Wine Tasting Dinner | Fall - Sat., Oct. 22
|
|
|
Beyond The Vines...Into The Community
|
|
Bookmarks is celebrating the launch of our 17th annual Festival of Books & Authors!
Join Barbara Raffaldini at some of these downtown events as she volunteers during the Festival of Books and Authors, including opening ceremony with Taylor Jenkins Reid and a closing conversation with Neil Degrasse Tyson! Click here to learn more about the festival.
Bookmarks began as an annual book festival in 2004. The Festival of Books & Authors has since grown to be the largest annual book festival in the Carolinas, reaching tens of thousands of readers each year. Since its beginnings as a book festival, Bookmarks has grown to be a 501(c)(3) literary arts nonprofit organization and bookstore in downtown Winston-Salem. All of Bookmarks' programming, including the Festival of Books & Authors, is part of the organization's mission to connect people in the community with books and authors.
Click here to learn more about Bookmarks' history and mission. Raffaldini is proud to be the official winery sponsor of this great organization.
|
|
|
Planning a Visit?
We encourage you to read our visitor experience guide. Your cooperation will help us provide the best possible experience for all our patrons.
We have partnered with Tock to provide a reservation system for tastings and flights at the Villa and on the Piazza. Our continued goal is to provide the best experience for you, our valued customers and friends. While walk-ins are welcome and a reservation is not required, we believe that making a reservation will enhance your visit.
As a general reminder to all our guests, to provide a safe, relaxing, and intimate experience for our guests, all visitors must be at least 21 years of age. Infants and children are no longer permitted at the Tasting Room, except on holidays and specially designated family days when we can appropriately staff and have children friendly activities available. Please see our calendar for a full list of Family days.
|
|
|
|
|
