Tapped into Craft: Local Brewery, Winery, and Distillery March 2020
NC WINE TRAVELER
Wine Spotlight
Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery- Rhonda, NC – Swan Creek-Yadkin Valley
450 Groce Road, Ronda, NC 28670
(336) 835-9463
www.raffaldini.com
Mon: 11AM-5PM, Closed-Tues,
Wed-Sat 11AM-5PM, Sun: 12-5PM
‘Chianti of the Carolinas’
By Ron Hadley
As stated on their website: Raffadini Vineyards and Winery is ‘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 sparking Prosecco style wine called Auguri. Raffaldini hosts public and private events throughout the year and is the definitive place for lovers of dry wines.’
Raffindini Vineyards started in 2000 and produced wine in 2005 after an exhaustive search of over 60 sites across the Southeast by owner Jay Raffaldini a Wall Street Executive who had a passion for wine-making through his family heritage back to Italy. Jay expresses his philosophy of Life and Wine-making in an entertaining video found on their website called ‘Be a Jellyfish’ and ‘Let the Winds of Fortune’ blow you where you belong in life.
“Anywhere grapes grow naturally somewhere, it tells you that they belong there,” Raffaldini says.
In his initial research he conducted soil tests and learned that the rocks and minerals that glitter in the dirt are schist and mica that allow for excellent drainage. Raffaldini tracked the weather patterns and discovered that the climate parallels with that of his parents’ Italian homeland. Ronda is on a line that can be drawn with a line eastward around the world and it crosses right below the toe of the Italian boot. Ronda lies at 36 degrees latitude; Sicily sits at 37 degrees. Raffaldini Vineyards is in the Swan Creek AVA-American Viniculture Area in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains off Rt. 77/Rt. 421 near Elkins, NC.
In addition to Wine Pick-up parties for Wine Club members every quarter there are also private weddings, corporate parties and family gatherings along with wine tastings offered every day.
This year is the 15th Annual Festa Italia event which is on September 19th from 1-5PM and open to the public. The event offers a celebration of Italian culture with art, food, music and wine!!!
Future plans include an on-site hotel with a bed and breakfast so stay tuned for updates.
Currently Raffaldini is offering free shipping for their wine during the health crisis so take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy some excellent NC wine!!!
WESTBEND VINEYARDS, WINERY and BREWERY
Westbendwineryandbrewery.com
5394 Williams Rd. Lewisville NC
336-945-9999
Wed.-Thurs. 12PM-6PM, Fri.-Sat.-Sun.- 12PM-7PM
Upcoming releases: “Double Blood Orange Wheat”, “KGB Russian Imperial Stout”, “Super Comrade’s Breakfast Club!” Imperial Breakfast Stout, “Lemon Fizz” and “Cherry Fizz” craft hard seltzer, and the 2019 “Blossom River’ white blend on March 14th.
Triad Brewers Alliance 
www.triadbrewers.com
The Triad Brewers Alliance formed in 2017 to serve breweries in the Piedmont Triad and to promote the Triad as a destination location of North Carolina. We currently serve 20 breweries across the 11 counties of the Triad. Visit our website to learn more about our mission, breweries, and events!
Old Nick Williams Co. Farm & Distillery 
2675 Williams Road
Lewisville, NC 27023
336-946-1012
We CAN sell whiskey, bourbon, rum, and vodka bottles as normal. Also we are offering cans / bottles of wine and beer to go. For the person on the go we have curb side drive up sales.
You CAN buy gift certificates from us for you to use at a later date when we resume tours and bar service.
Fainting Goat Spirits 
115 W Lewis St, GSO, NC
336-273-6221
Tours and Tastings Schedule plus hand sanitizer available
Fridays 3-7 PM
Saturdays 1-6 PM
Sundays 1-5 PM
FOOTHILLS Brewing Co 
638 W 4th St, WS, NC
Brewery and Tasting Room
3800 Kimwell Dr. WS, NC
Craft Happiness IPA Project features a new IPA every month, and dedicates a portion of sales to an area of need somewhere NC
Raylen Vineyards – raylenvineyards.com 
3577 US-158, Mocksville, NC 336-998-3100
Mon – Saturday: 11AM – 6PM
Sunday: 12PM – 5PM
Incendiary Brewing Co 
incendiarybrewing.com
486 N Patterson Ave, WS NC
(336) 999-8945
Southend Brewing Co
117B W, Lewis St. Greens
boro
(336) 285.6406
Monday-Thursday- 4pm- 11pm | Friday- 2pm- 12am
Saturday- 12pm- 12am | Sunday 12pm – 10pm
Upcoming releases…
Suddenly Human – Coffee Stout
Mango Passionfruit Gose
Paddy O’ Beer – Irish Red
Four Saints Brewing
218 South Fayetteville Street Asheboro, NC
(336) 610-FSBC
Sunshine Beverage Co
@drinkthesunshine
Sunshine’s feel good sparkling energy waters are full of vitamins, electrolytes and just enough natural caffeine to deliver the perfect boost to brighten every day. Each can contains 100% daily value of vitamins A through E, including B12, B6, B3, and B5 and also offers calcium, magnesium, and potassium the essential electrolytes to fuel everyday activities. Most importantly, Sunshine sparkling energy water is not overloaded with caffeine. One 12 oz. can contains 70 mg of natural caffeine sourced from organic green coffee beans to keep you alert and focused. That’s no more caffeine than a cup of coffee!