Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery LLC

 

What is Festa Italiana?

A grand celebration of all things Italian! The epicenter of Italian culture in the Piedmont is here on Saturday, September 18 and Sunday, September 19 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. Tickets are $15 per person and include parking, admission to the festival, commemorative Festa Italiana wine glass and a glass of Raffaldini wine. Pre-sale will be available until Thursday, September 16 at 5pm. Day of tickets will be $20 and are available at the gate. We hope you'll join us for a weekend of fun, rain or shine! 


Small Sessions Immerse Your Experience!

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! 

SATURDAY:

11:30 pm – 12:45 pm - The Vineyards of Raffaldini
Join Jason Krug, Vineyard Manager and owner Jay Raffaldini to learn about the vineyard and this year’s harvest while walking in the vines.

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Italian Music and Opera – Join Soprano Jersey Roche and Baritone Justin Traxler and learn about and listen to favorite arias from Italian opera and other Italian songs. There is no country better known for music, love, passion and drama than Italy and Italian opera has it all!!  

2:45 pm - 3:45 pm - Winemaking Raffaldini style
Join Raffaldini winemaker Chris Nelson for an informative and fun session on winemaking and this year’s wine.

4:00 pm to 5:00 pm – Italian Trivia
Join Barbara Raffaldini and test your knowledge of Italian facts. Winners will receive great prizes.  
  

SUNDAY:

12:30 pm – 1:15 pm – Salsa Dancing
Spice up your dance steps Victoria Calamusa as she teaches us some moves that are bound to impress your partner.

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm – The Vineyards of Raffaldini
Join owner Jay Raffaldini to learn about the vineyard and this year’s harvest while walking in the vines.

2:45 pm – 3:45 pm - Winemaking Raffaldini style
Join Raffaldini winemaker Chris Nelson for an informative and fun session on winemaking and this year’s wine.

4:00 pm to 5:00 pm – Italian Trivia
Join Barbara Raffaldini and test your knowledge of Italian facts. Winners will receive great prizes. 

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.

Independence Day (Family Day)

Sunday, July 4 | 12PM-5PM
Monday, July 5 | 11AM-5PM

Enjoy your Independence Day with an afternoon at Raffaldini Vineyards! Please come celebrate Summer with your family for a relaxing mix of wine and mountain air. Be sure to bring your blankets and lawn chairs and make a day of it! 

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.

Photo: Van in Black

Mother's Day Family Day at Raffaldini
Sunday, May 9 | 12pm - 5pm

In Italy, la mamma is the cornerstone of the home and celebrated by her family all year round. But every second Sunday of May, bambini and adults alike lavish their mothers with flowers and gifts for La Festa della Mamma. Mother’s Day was first celebrated in Italy in May 1957, about 50 years after it was founded in the United States. A parish priest began the tradition in Assisi with great festivities. Many in the surrounding cities got word and joined the appreciation of the women whose unconditional love and hard work helped them become who they are. The day was so successful that just one year later, the holiday was adopted across Italy’s 20 regions. Today, Mother’s Day is as widely celebrated in Italy, as it is the United States. Children of all ages head home to visit in time for La Festa della Mamma.

Show Mamma how much you love her and bring her Chianti in the Carolinas - Raffaldini on May 9. Each mother (or mother figure) will receive a flower and chocolate Baci. Heritage Homestead Goat Dairy will be onsite with goats and there will be activities for children. 
 

We are proud to announce the re-release of our highest rated Montepulciano Riserva, the heralded 2015 vintage on May 15, 2021. Jay made the decision to cellar this wine for an additional five (5) years, and it is at its peak development of flavor and aroma. He set aside 200 cases and because we expect demand to be exceptionally strong, we are limiting purchase amounts to two (2) cases for wine club members and six bottles for non-wine club members. Once our 2015 Montepulciano Riserva is sold out, there will be no further Montepulciano Riserva available until we release our 2019 vintage this Fall. 

Photo: Charlotte Wine + Food

 

The Spring Wine club package contains six bottles of three new wine releases including the return of Sangiovese Classico. Your wine club package will contain the following wines:  2 Bottles of 2019 Bella Misto (Our everyday red blend with a nice tannic backbone courtesy of Sagrantino)    2 Bottles of 2020 Vermentino Superiore (Our signature white varietal, stone fruit and lively acidity)   2 Bottles of 2019 Sangiovese Classico (Chianti in Carolinas is back, deeply structured and earthy red)   Pricing for the six bottles is $139.40 plus tax for Classico Members and $127.80 plus tax for Superiore Members when purchased as a case or more.

The package also contains a letter from Jay and recipes to pair with each wine from Barbara Raffaldini. 

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.