Raffaldini Vineyards: Italy in Carolina.

Jay Raffaldini’s Italian family heritage led him to plant a vineyard and build a winery in the Yadkin Vally in the early 2000s. Planted to Italian grapes such as sangiovese, montepulciano and vermentino, the vines produce some very tasty wines well worth seeking out.

I recently tasted Raffaldini Vermentino 2020, a fresh and fragrant dry white wine with crisp, appealing mineral accents, an excellent choice for shellfish. I also liked Raffaldini’s red blend, Bella Misto, a Chianti-like red, light in color but with delightful berryish flavors. Raffaldini’s flagship red is Montepulciano Riserva. The 2020 has bold black fruit aromas and flavors, and fine balance. Jay Raffaldini will host a wine dinner at The Fearington House on August 15—so you can taste for yourself some of Carolina’s best. For more information: www.raffaldini.com