Raffaldini September Newsletter
|
Aug 31, 2018 at 12:03 PM
Permalink
Exciting Addition to the Winery, Join us for Harvest
|
Aug 29, 2018 at 9:01 AM
Permalink
Raffaldini August Newsletter
|
Aug 1, 2018 at 8:55 AM
Permalink
Sign Up For Our Fall Wine Club
|
Jul 19, 2018 at 8:31 AM
Permalink
All About Botti
Our new arrivals are finally here. We are moving away from smaller oak barrels to the more traditional large casks called "botti" in Italian. Each of these giant botti are the equivalent of eleven of the smaller barrels and hold about 275 cases. Unlike smaller barrels which have a life of five years, these botti can last well over fifty. We are moving to do this as the quality of our grapes continues to evolve and get more complex and we don't want to mask it in strong oak. We have three now and expect add another four next year and more thereafter. We are incredibly excited to move forward by going back into history.
Raffaldini has recently acquired several botti, or large oak wine casks, from Gamba, the foremost manufacturer of botti outside of Turin, Italy. Even though the factory currently utilizes the most modern technology, the Piedmontese cask construction method has not changed over time: meticulous wood selection, all-natural seasoning, and a curvature running the entire length of the staves. Meaning that they have the same thickness and the heads and at the height of the faucet hole.
This increases the casks strength over time and allows for the renewal of the inner surface by shavings the wood without reducing the stability of the stave. The bottom of the cask is concave in order to make them as resistant as possible from the Iiquid they will contain. The heads are curved in two directions to support the pressure created when full without the use of cross boards.
Gamba makes its products exclusively from oak and specifically the Quercus genus, which consists of no less than three hundred species. But a qualified cooper uses only three of them: Quercus Pendunculata, Quercus Sessilis and Quercus Alba (American White Oak). Quercus Pendunculata and Sessilis can both be found in the same forests in France.
The Quercus Alba species can be found in many regions throughout North America though we mainly source our American White Oak from forest in Northern Iowa, Western Illinois or Minnesota. The accelerated use of Quercus Alba over the last few years is largely due to a better understanding of seasoning and advancement in toasting techniques.
In addition to the origin of the wood, another important factor is the soil; where this variety of oak grows. Exposure to the sun, wind and rain affects its texture and ultimately its grain, as well as its aromas.
Jul 11, 2018 at 7:02 AM
Permalink
Raffaldini Vineyards Releases Rescue Dog Red Wine Saturday; Honors Dr. Ruth Gillis
Ronda, N.C., (June 14, 2018)—Saturday, June 16th, Raffaldini Vineyards will release and Pino Vino X, a limited-edition red wine featuring the Raffaldini family rescue dogs with proceeds benefitting local animal shelters.
“The enthusiasm and support for this competition demonstrates the love we all share for our rescue animals,” said Raffaldini Vineyards owner, Jay Raffaldini. “We hope this competition will continue to raise awareness of the need for and importance of animal rescue.”
For the last decade, Raffaldini Vineyards has supported local animal rescue organizations by donating proceeds from the sale of each Pino Vino wine release. The first label featured Pino, who Jay and Maureen Raffaldini rescued from a kill shelter when she was 1 ½ years old. On this 10th year, Raffaldini will unveil the labels of Pino Vino X that will feature puppy photos of the newest members of the Raffaldini family, Dolce and Nero. Pino Vino X sells for $20 per bottle.
On Saturday, guests can meet the Raffaldini family, rescue dogs Dolce and Nero, as well as taste and purchase bottles of Pino Vino X while supplies last. Raffaldini Vineyards will also honor Dr. Ruth Gillis, Vet and Owner of Forsyth Veterinary Hospital, who has been immersed in the Triad animal welfare and rescue community for more than 17 years. Adoptable pets from Ashe Humane Society, Surry Animal Rescue and the Humane Society of Davie County will be in attendance.
About Dr. Gillis
Dr. Gillis earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science degree from Tuskegee University. In 1985, she began practicing small animal medicine in upstate New York and moved to Winston-Salem, N.C. in 2001. Dr. Gillis purchased Forsyth Veterinary Hospital in 2005.
About Raffaldini Vineyards
Raffaldini Vineyards is a family-owned winery and vineyard nestled in the Yadkin Valley Region of North Carolina. They specialize in Italian-style blends and varietals which have earned them the reputation of ‘Chianti in the Carolinas.’ For more information, please visit their website at www.raffaldini.com, or contact their tasting room at 336.835.9463.
###
For More Info, contact:
Thomas Salley
Tasting Room Manager & Media Relations
Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery, LLC
450 Groce Road
Ronda, NC 28670
(d) 336.835.1547 (direct)
Watch Jay Raffaldini's Ted Talk, "Be a Jellyfish" at www.Raffaldini.com
Host your next event at Raffaldini Vineyards
Office Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:30am-5:30pm
Jun 14, 2018 at 10:18 AM
Permalink
New Rescue Dog Red Wine, Father's Day Brunch This Weekend
|
Jun 13, 2018 at 11:50 AM
Permalink
Raffaldini June Newsletter
|
May 31, 2018 at 11:46 AM
Permalink
Meet Our Vineyard Manager, Jason
Hello! My name is Jason Krug and I am the Vineyard Manager at Raffaldini. I am very excited to be working the vines on these rolling green hills. I grew up in a small mining town called Clarkdale just outside the majestic town of Sedona, Arizona. I have always been drawn to working outside and playing in nature so the life of a farmer has naturally suited me. Before I found myself planted in North Carolina I was managing a 20 acre vineyard called Page Springs Cellars. Arizona, much like North Carolina, is building itself to be an up coming wine region. When I am not caring for the vines you can find me out in the forest hiking, climbing and camping.
The best part of vineyard management is shaping the vines as the season grows. We do many tasks here to ensure the grapes reach their fullest potential before making it to the cellar and one of the biggest and most important tasks in every season is shoot thinning. Currently we are shoot thinning all 42 acres of vines. The process involves every vine to be evaluated and shaped to both provide good fruit baring shoots for this season and new replacement canes for the following growing cycle. Every vine, every year will put out more growth than needed. If the growth is left we will have too dense of a canopy leading to disease, high humidity inside the canopy, over shading of fruit and poor fruit quality. It is our job to remove excess growth within the canopy and from the trunk of the vine to allow good air flow, adequate light penetration and proper amount of fruit set on the vine. This is done by plucking off the excess and leaving the chosen shoots. The goal is around 4 to 5 shoots per linear foot of growth and about a hands width length between each vertical shoot position. Considerations must be kept allowing for certain shoots for retraining the vine for future years and keeping in mind that each block and variety is different on how much fruit is set and how many shoots are acceptable to maintain. This is just one of the many tasks to shape the vines in a season. But many more tasks will shape the vines and vineyards to fill those wine glasses full. Cheers and I hope to see you around. Look for me in the vines!
May 31, 2018 at 9:15 AM
Permalink
Summer is Right Around the Corner
|
May 17, 2018 at 8:55 AM
Permalink