Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery LLC

Spring 2022 Wine Club Letter

March 2022

 

Ciao Amici,                         

                                                                                 

I hope this letter finds everyone happy and healthy. If you are new to the Raffaldini Wine Club, welcome! With each semi-annual wine club package, you will receive a letter from me describing the wines, why they were chosen, and updating you on all activities happening at Raffaldini Vineyards. 

 

This package includes the following:

 

2 bottles of Raffaldini 2020 Sangiovese Classico
2 bottles of Raffaldini 2020 Bella Misto
2 bottles of Raffaldini 2021 Vermentino Superiore
The Winemaker’s Notes associated with the wines
Recipes that we encourage you to enjoy with the wines
Invitations to upcoming signature events at Raffaldini

 

This release will be quite interesting as the wines could not come from two more distinctly different vintages. As members know, the 2020 growing year was the wettest on record eclipsing more than eighty inches of rain versus our average of thirty to forty. The prior wettest year was 2018, and as grapes prefer dry weather in arid climates, this presented us with huge challenges.  I believe that our 2018 vintage was the weakest we ever produced and was quite despondent when the 2020 harvest commenced.  To my great surprise the wines have turned out infinitely better than I hoped, so I decided to investigate.  What I learned was while the amount of rain matters what matters more is the frequency of the rain.  In 2018 it rained nearly every day with little sun and warm temperatures.  By contrast in 2020 we had many heavy rain days followed by dry days which enabled the crew to go into the vineyard and tend to the vines.  This difference was profoundly important which is why the wines turned out so well.  I believe you will be surprised with the texture and flavor of the two reds.  By way of extreme contrast, the weather in 2021 was hot and dry and has produced wines of immense power and structure. They will without question be the finest wines we have ever made in over two decades.  You will need to wait until 2023 to taste the 2021 reds, but you will be able to start now with the 2021 Vermentino and eventually the new Auguri, Girasole, and Desaria later this year.

 

The Raffaldini 2020 Sangiovese Classico possesses the typical dry, earthy aromas with medium tannins and bountiful acids.  What draws people to this wine is the same reason that people are drawn to Pinot Noir – both grapes have very similar  cellular structure.  Specifically, each grape has big berries with thin skins and a low ratio of skin to berry.  This combination tends to produce balanced over powerful, acidic over tannic and paler versus darker wines.  And as such these wines tend to pair with a wider array of food than do wines made from grapes with different structures like Cabernet Sauvignon and Sagrantino that demand red meat be served alongside. 

 

The Raffaldini 2020 Bella Misto is a fruitful and surprisingly fuller-bodied wine owing to our heavy use of Petit Verdot, and to a lesser extent, Montepulciano.  We also added a touch of Sagrantino to provide a bigger tannic backbone.  Best of all, this Bella Misto retains that slightly peppery taste which wine club members have come to know and love. We make Bella Misto so that it is not only your go to affordable daily wine but also one that pairs with the widest range of food.  Most importantly, we do not sacrifice quality and always treat these grapes with the same care and attention as we do our more expensive wines.    

 

This brings us to the 2021 Vermentino Superiore.   Wine club members will remember that we decided to split our Vermentino production and divert an equal amount to the production of Vermentino Superiore and the other to the production of Desaria.  In a nutshell, the difference is that the Vermentino Superiore is made in a style more common in Sardinia with a technique called whole cluster pressing, fermented in stainless steel, which increases aromatics and freshness. By comparison, the Desaria uses our Appassimento drying process on the grapes which are then fermented and aged in oak bottis.  This creates a richer and a very full- bodied white wine closest to the style of Vermentino made in the beautiful Tuscan seaside of Bolghieri. The 2021 Vermentino Superiore is an incredibly delicious wine that explodes aromatically in the glass with a crisp-yet-round taste on the palate and finish.  There is no doubt in my mind this is the best Vermentino we have ever made, and it gives you a glimpse of other ‘21 gems to come.

 

Despite the challenges brought on by lingering COVID, 2021 was a very busy year at Raffaldini Vineyards.  We begun to harvest some of the newer plantings of Sagrantino and Montepulciano. These new clones are doing very well, and we expect great things from them.  We will have our first major Trebbiano harvest this year, and I believe this will significantly benefit Desaria, and our sparkling wine, Auguri.  In the tasting room, the reservation only, 21+ age requirement has been very well received as well as the introduction of a Riserva Flight of past vintages of Grande Riserva, Montepulciano and Sagrantino.  We remain fully and utterly committed to pushing the boundaries on quality.

 

During a rare overseas business trip last year, I had some time to pass at the airport lounge and was reading an article on Albert Einstein and was struck by his words when he said:

 

Once you can accept the universe as being something expanding into an infinite nothing which in itself is something, wearing stripes with plaid is easy.

 

I simply adore this life philosophy – living life with no regrets while doing no harm to others and being the best person you can be every day.

 

Our warmest wishes to all of you.

 

 

Salute!

 

 

Jay Raffaldini on behalf of La Famiglia Raffaldini

Raffaldini February Newsletter

Riserva Flights Available Now!  Riserva Flight Tastings have begun!! This new four wine flight will include the following cellar-aged and special wines: our 2016 Il Falco, followed by our 2015 Montepulciano Riserva,  then our 1348 and finally our 2019 Grande Riserva. All three wines are also available by the glass, but regrettably only the 2019 Grande Riserva can be purchased by the bottle due to low supplies. Come and taste some of the best wines ever made at Raffaldini and see how wines can evolve with proper bottle aging in a perfect environment. Save the Date! Spring Wine Club Pickup   Saturday, March 5 | 12PM-4PM Sunday, March 6 | 12PM-4PM   Calling all Wine Club Members! Be on the lookout for an email containing all important details as well as how to RSVP for wine club pick-up. We look forward to seeing you!   Grande Riserva Salon Tasting Saturday, March 26 | 1pm $60 General Admission | $55 Wine Club Enjoy this opportunity to join Owner Jay Raffaldini and Winemaker Chris Nelson in an exclusive, Raffaldini Grande Riserva Salon Tasting. Held in the barrel room of the winery, guests will enjoy a blind tasting of our Grande Riserva going up blind against some of the greatest super Tuscan wines in the world. All paired with antipasti to complement each wine. This event is for those ages 21 and up. For more information call us at 336.526.1078 or email us at info@raffaldini.com. Buy Now - General Admission Buy Now - Wine Club   Charcuterie Class Saturday, March 26 | 12pm $55 General Admission | $50 Wine Club Raffaldini Vineyards & High Country Boards are teaming up to bring you a charcuterie class! We invite you build your own charcuterie box with us to take home, while enjoying Raffaldini wine throughout the event. Learn tips and tricks on portioning Purchase your tickets now for our fun and interactive Charcuterie Class event. We will be joined by High Country Boards & More for this event. Space is very limited! Buy Now - General Admission Buy Now - Wine Club   Food Trucks Saturday, March 5 Happy Hippie Food Co. Sunday, March 6 Cousin's Maine Lobster Saturday, March 12 Happy Hippie Food Co. Saturday, March 19 Gianno's Brick Oven Pizza Saturday, March 20 Gianno's Brick Oven Pizza Check our events calendar as we begin booking food truck dates in 2022! Our Heated Tent is So Delightful!   Our heated piazza tent is open with safe spacing and ready to keep you cozy this winter. Warm up with a flight or a glass and don't let the winter blues keep you away!    Beyond the Vines...Into the Community   Virtual Yoga in the Vineyards with Maureen Mondays & Wednesdays | 9am via Zoom Join Maureen Stitt, a certified Kripalu yoga instructor, for a 60-minute yoga class designed for all students who have a desire to enhance their well-being through movement, breath awareness and self-inquiry. Set-up your mat and get ready to change the world, one breath at a time! Cost: $10.00 per class NOTE: After purchase, you will receive a link to join the class via Zoom. Please note, you must make the purchase at least 30-minutes before the class begins. RSVP - Monday, January 31 RSVP - Wednesday, February 2 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. Our team members are wearing masks while indoors to help prevent the spread of covid 19. While masks are not required for those vaccinated we recommend that everyone wear a mask while indoors and not actively eating or drinking. 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. Make a Reservation Copyright © Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery, LLC, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 450 Groce Road, Ronda, NC 28670 Want to change how you receive these emails? Click Here to Unsubscribe.

Warm Up With Us This Winter

New wines and special releases.

Closing Sunday, January 16 due to inclement weather.  Due to the amount of snow and ice forecasted for Sunday, January 16, 2022, for the safety of our staff and customers, Raffaldini will be closed on Sunday, January 16. If you have made a reservation for Sunday, we will take care of canceling it for you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you and please stay safe and warm. We look forward to seeing you when we reopen and at one of our upcoming events. Please visit our website and social media regarding when we will reopen to the public after the snow storm.    Barrel Tastings with the Winemaker - Wine Club Exclusive!   Saturday, February 12th, 2022 | 1PM-3PM | $35 We are excited to announce a new event in 2022 for our wine club members only! This event will be hosted by Winemaker Chris Nelson. Be the first of 40 wine club members to sample new vintages straight out of the barrel. You will have the opportunity to taste at least 12 different wines from both the 2020 and 2021 vintage. Chris will also spend time explaining the various techniques used at Raffaldini and provide a tour of the Winery showing the equipment used in winemaking. Guests will have the unique opportunity to ask questions about the winemaking process. Small charcuterie plates will be provided.    RSVP - Wine Club   Amore! The Language of Love Sunday, February 13 | 1pm-3pm  $10 General Admission | Free Wine Club Members Join Barbara Raffaldini as she shares insights into Italian culture, language, and traditions surrounding Love. Whether planning a trip to Italy or just curious about Italy and its people and customs, this entertaining and interactive experience will give you a new appreciation and understanding for all things Italian. The workshop will begin at 1pm. General admission is $10 and free for wine club members and their one guest. Wine club members must RSVP with the names of guests attending. Space is limited. Email us at info@raffaldini.com for more information or to RSVP. RSVP - Wine Club Buy Now - General Admission   Riserva Flights Coming In February!   We are thrilled to announce that in February we will be offering a Riserva flight from older vintages of Grand Riserva, Montepulciano, Sagrantino and an occasional special wine from our cellars.  We have acquired a specialized pouring machine custom made in Italy that will allow the wine to be preserved for weeks rather than days thus eliminating spoilage.  Due to limited availability of the older vintages, the wines will be able to be tasted through the flights or buy glass but unfortunately no bottles sales.  Stay tuned for more information.   Charcuterie Class Saturday, March 26 | 12pm Raffaldini Vineyards & High Country Boards are teaming up to bring you a charcuterie class! We invite you build your own charcuterie box with us to take home, while enjoying Raffaldini wine throughout the event. Learn tips and tricks on portioning Purchase your tickets now for our fun and interactive Charcuterie Class event. We will be joined by High Country Boards & More for this event. Space is very limited! Tickets on Sale Soon!   Food Trucks Saturday, March 5 Happy Hippie Food Co. Sunday, March 6 Cousin's Maine Lobster Saturday, March 12 Happy Hippie Food Co. Check our events calendar as we begin booking food truck dates in 2022! Our Heated Tent is So Delightful!   Our heated piazza tent is open with safe spacing and ready to keep you cozy this winter. Warm up with a flight or a glass and don't let the winter blues keep you away!    Beyond the Vines...Into the Community   Virtual Yoga in the Vineyards with Maureen Mondays & Wednesdays | 9am via Zoom Join Maureen Stitt, a certified Kripalu yoga instructor, for a 60-minute yoga class designed for all students who have a desire to enhance their well-being through movement, breath awareness and self-inquiry. Set-up your mat and get ready to change the world, one breath at a time! Cost: $10.00 per class NOTE: After purchase, you will receive a link to join the class via Zoom. Please note, you must make the purchase at least 30-minutes before the class begins. RSVP - Monday, January 17 RSVP - Wednesday, January 19 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. Our team members are wearing masks while indoors to help prevent the spread of covid 19. While masks are not required for those vaccinated we recommend that everyone wear a mask while indoors and not actively eating or drinking. 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. Make a Reservation Copyright © Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery, LLC, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 450 Groce Road, Ronda, NC 28670 Want to change how you receive these emails? Click Here to Unsubscribe.

 

This email was sent to <<Email Address>> why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery, LLC · 450 Groce Rd · Ronda, NC 28670-9134 · USA

2022-2023 Wedding Packages

/assets/client/File/Wedding Packages 2022-2023.pdf

Raffaldini January Newsletter

Buon Anno a Tutti

Buon Anno e Salute!  Happy New Year and Best Wishes! Thank you for being a part of our story and spending time with us in 2021. We look forward to seeing you in 2022!   Salon Tasting with Jay Raffaldini: Meditazione Saturday, January 8th, 2022 1pm-3pm  $50 Wine Club | $55 General Admission Enjoy this opportunity to join Owner Jay Raffaldini and Winemaker Chris Nelson in an exclusive Salon Wine Tasting. Held in the winery, guests will enjoy a blind tasting of our dessert wine: Meditazione going up blind against some of the most highly-rated vineyards throughout the world. This event is for those ages 21 and up. For more information call us at 336.526.1078 or email us at info@raffaldini.com. General Admission Wine Club   Amore! The Language of Love Sunday, February 13 | 1pm-3pm  $10 General Admission | Free Wine Club Members Join Barbara Raffaldini as she shares insights into Italian culture, language, and traditions surrounding Love. Whether planning a trip to Italy or just curious about Italy and its people and customs, this entertaining and interactive experience will give you a new appreciation and understanding for all things Italian. The workshop will begin at 1pm. General admission is $10 and free for wine club members and their one guest. Wine club members must RSVP with the names of guests attending. Space is limited. Email us at info@raffaldini.com for more information or to RSVP. RSVP - Wine Club Buy Now - General Admission   Riserva Flights Coming In February!   We are thrilled to announce that in February we will be offering a Riserva flight from older vintages of Grand Riserva, Montepulciano, Sagrantino and an occasional special wine from our cellars.  We have acquired a specialized pouring machine custom made in Italy that will allow the wine to be preserved for weeks rather than days thus eliminating spoilage.  Due to limited availability of the older vintages, the wines will be able to be tasted through the flights or buy glass but unfortunately no bottles sales.  Stay tuned for more information. Make Your Reservation La Dolce Vita! Experience Raffaldini Virtually We have partnered with 360VT solutions to bring you a complete, immersive experience of our estate. Uncork a glass and enjoy la dolce vita from the comfort of your own home. Click here to start the tour. Start the Tour Our Heated Tent is So Delightful!   Our heated piazza tent is open with safe spacing and ready to keep you cozy this winter. Warm up with a flight or a glass and don't let the winter blues keep you away!      Food Trucks Check our events calendar as we begin booking food truck dates in 2022! Beyond the Vines...Into the Community   Virtual Yoga in the Vineyards with Maureen Mondays & Wednesdays | 9am via Zoom Join Maureen Stitt, a certified Kripalu yoga instructor, for a 60-minute yoga class designed for all students who have a desire to enhance their well-being through movement, breath awareness and self-inquiry. Set-up your mat and get ready to change the world, one breath at a time! Cost: $10.00 per class NOTE: After purchase, you will receive a link to join the class via Zoom. Please note, you must make the purchase at least 30-minutes before the class begins. RSVP - Wednesday, January 5 RSVP - Monday, January 10 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. Our team members are wearing masks while indoors to help prevent the spread of covid 19. While masks are not required for those vaccinated we recommend that everyone wear a mask while indoors and not actively eating or drinking. 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. Make a Reservation Copyright © Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery, LLC, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 450 Groce Road, Ronda, NC 28670 Want to change how you receive these emails? Click Here to Unsubscribe.

 

This email was sent to <<Email Address>> why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery, LLC · 450 Groce Rd · Ronda, NC 28670-9134 · USA