About Us - The Raffaldini Story
Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Swan Creek Wine Appellation within the Yadkin Valley, family-owned Raffaldini Vineyards brings Tuscan charm to North Carolina. Known widely as “Chianti in the Carolinas” Raffaldini currently produces only classically dry Italian style wines ranging from reds like Sangiovese Classico, Montepulciano Riserva, Sagrantino and Grande Riserva with the white being Vermentino and a sparkling Prosecco style wine called Auguri. Raffaldini hosts public and private events throughout the year and is the definitive place for lovers of dry wines.
Carl White Life in the Carolinas: From Wall Street To the Vineyard, With Jay Raffaldini.
Jay Raffaldini, Uncorked.
Raffaldini Vineyards on UNC-TV
Jay Raffaldini on the Explore Wilkesboro "Find Your Back Road" Podcast
Meet The Team
Jay Raffaldini - Owner
Jay Raffaldini started his trading career on Wall Street in 1985 and along with his partners, manages $9 billion in hedge fund assets for global investors. In 2000, Jay acquired an abandoned farm in Wilkes County, North Carolina to begin the process of growing Italian grapes which at the time was unheard of in the State with some varietals having never been planted anywhere in the country. Fast forward to today, Raffaldini Vineyards is one of the most visited estates with some of the highest rated wines made in the entire East Coast. Jay is also a founding member and is currently serving as President of the NC Fine Wines Association. Jay spends his time shuttling from his home in North Carolina to his offices around the world and enjoys managing both his hedge fund business and Raffaldini Vineyards.
Email: Jay@raffaldini.com
Barbara Raffaldini - Owner/General Counsel
Barbara C. Raffaldini is general counsel and a co-owner of Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery, LLC. She graduated cum laude with a B.S. from the Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service and received her J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1987. She has practiced commercial real estate law and corporate law since her law school graduation. Barbara has been a partner in the Illinois law firm of Pachter, Gregory & Raffaldini, PC since 1997 and she is a member of the State Bars of Maryland, Washington, D.C., Illinois and North Carolina. The family business brought Barbara to North Carolina and she now resides full time in Winston-Salem and her firm now has a North Carolina office. Barbara is also the co-founder of Beyond the Vines Travel, LLC, a company that creates and leads custom crafted wine tours.
Barbara has long been involved in community activities and upon her arrival in Winston Salem in 2015, she began volunteering at Bookmarks and is now the President of its Board of Directors. Raffaldini Vineyards is the official wine provider for events hosted by Bookmarks and in 2015 Raffaldini Vineyards became a proud sponsor and the official winery of The Piedmont Opera, and Barbara serves on its Board of Directors. She is also one of the founding Board of Directors of the North Carolina Fine Wine Society, which funds a scholarship for local students attending North Carolina colleges, who are pursuing careers in enology, viticulture, hospitality or agritourism.
Email: Barbara@raffaldini.com
Tanja Farr - Tasting Room Manager/Wine Club Director
Tanja graduated from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management, sparking her love for wine during her studies. Captivated by the growing North Carolina wine industry, she delved into classes and conferences to expand her knowledge of oenology. Tanja’s involvement with the NC Fine Wine Competition led to a connection with the Raffaldinis. Since April 2023, Tanja has found a fulfilling career working at Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery. Beyond her professional life, she enjoys visiting other wineries, engaging in ballroom and social dancing, and exploring through travel whenever possible.
Email: Tanja@raffaldini.com
Chris Nelson -Winemaker
Joining the Raffaldini team represents a homecoming for our new winemaker, Chris Nelson, who grew up in Chapel Hill. Chris brings 15 years of experience making wine in California where he received his Master’s degree from Fresno State in Enology and Viticulture. Prior to finding his passion for winemaking, he spent four years as organic chemist in San Francisco. Before joining us, Chris spent the 2018 harvest working in Northern Virginia. When he’s not making wine, you will find Chris getting reacquainted with his home state, visiting friends and enjoying everything this great state has to offer.
Email: Chris@raffaldini.com
Thomas J. Ponce - Assistant Winemaker
Meet Thomas Ponce, the dedicated assistant winemaker at Raffaldini Vineyards. Thomas's journey with Raffaldini began at the young age of 18, and since then, he's become an integral part of the winemaking team. Having worked in every department, from the tasting room to production, Thomas boasts a comprehensive understanding of the winemaking process.
A graduate of Appalachian State University, Thomas earned his degree in Fermentation Science in 2022, honing his expertise in the art and science of winemaking. His academic background combined with his hands-on experience at Raffaldini has equipped him with a deep understanding of viticulture and enology.
Outside of the vineyard, Thomas finds solace in the wonders of nature documentaries and the captivating narratives found in autobiographies. His passion for learning and his commitment to the craft make him an invaluable asset to the Raffaldini team, ensuring the continued excellence of our wines.
Email: Tponce@raffaldini.com
Justin Gambill - Assistant Tasting Room Manager/Director of Media Relations
Justin is a Wilkes County native growing up a few miles away from what is now Raffaldini Vineyards. With over 14 years of bartending experience, he has always held a passion for the hospitality industry. Before joining us, Justin studied photography at Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula Montana, where he developed a love for food and beverage photography.
He joined the Raffaldini team in the summer of 2023, where he found a way to combine his love of photography with his love of hospitality; but more than that, he was introduced to the wine industry. Since joining the team, his knowledge and love of wine has grown with each passing day.
Outside of the tasting room, you can find Justin on a walking trail, going to concerts, or cooking for friends and family.
Email: Justin@raffaldini.com