A Day Trip to Raffaldini Vineyards North Carolina Winery
Morning, everyone! Happy Monday 😊
I hope you all had a fantastic weekend and the first day of summer. On Saturday, Kyle and I headed out on a wine bus with our friends to celebrate Emily’s belated birthday. This trip was planned a while back but got canceled when the stay at home orders took place. We headed up to Raffaldini Vineyards in Ronda, NC. I had no idea a winery as beautiful as this was right here in the Carolinas; that just goes to show that we need to travel locally more often. The winery had all the Tuscan charm nestled in the Yadkin Valley. I’m excited to go back and do a wine tasting and tour when those are all open once again, but this time, I just admired it from afar.
I hope you enjoy the photos from our day trip to the Raffaldini Vineyards! If you live in the Carolinas, add this spot to your list.
It was pouring when we got there, so my attempt to curl my hair was a flop. I have a theory that if I do my hair, it’s 100% going to rain. It happens every time. I promise I also attempted to iron my dress, but the bus ride wasn’t a friend to the gauze-textured dress, so that was also a flop. Oh well!
On the plus side, I picked up this teal dress from Versona, and it is the most comfortable dress I own. It was like wearing a nightgown but also so airy, which is much-needed for the Carolina humidity. I hope they make it in more colors! I want them all.
I want to pack my picnic basket and bring it up for lunch in the vineyards. It’s such a romantic spot! 💜
We tried their Montepulciano Riserva first!
😍
There was a brick oven pizza truck set up outside the winery, so Kyle had their combo pizza! How delicious does this look?
♥️
I packed a sandwich, some chips, and sweet snacks for lunch. At lunch, we tried out the Girasole rose.
My sandwich had smoked Applegate smoked turkey, Applegate pepperoni, lettuce (from my garden!), mustard, and turkey bacon on Udi’s gluten-free bread.
Pizza and a view!
The vineyard reminded me of our summer trip to Napa. 🍷 We are planning to come back when my brother visits. I’ll make sure to share photos of the inside and wine tasting next time! I’m so excited to know this gem is so close to Charlotte.
I hope you all have a fantastic Monday! I’m going to finish editing this week’s cleaning video, so look out for that! Plus, a recap post is going live Wednesday! 😀
Questions for you?
- Do you ever get surprised when you find hidden gems close to your hometown?
- How are you spending the first day of summer?
- I want to do more day trips near Charlotte. Give me your recommendations!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Looks like you had so much fun! So happy! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Charmaine! 💜
Darlene says
Your friends are all dressed so cute for a day at the vineyard!!
Are you all not concerned about getting covid-19? I heard cases are spiking in NC and SC- so scary!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks!
I’m not concerned ♥️
EJ says
Shame on you then. It’s not just about you.
Taralynn McNitt says
Our states are open.
If you feel scared and do not want to put yourself out there, then don’t. Don’t shame others about living their lives how they choose! 👍
Lina says
Just because they are open, doesn’t make it right to throw caution to the wind. Unfortunately there is a massive rise in cases in NC and SC right now and it’s directly correlated to the state being open and no one practicing social distancing, wearing a mask, or staying home unless necessary. Have some empathy.
Taralynn McNitt says
I have empathy.
I also believe it’s 100% your choice to go out.
If you want to stay home, stay home.
Our group had a private part of the winery, so it’s not like we were out and about mingling with strangers.
What about the people out protesting? Should they stay at home?
Monica says
Exactly! I see so many people out protesting without masks and they are being praised? Your day looked like a blast and I’m glad you’re living your life without being afraid inside a bubble. These are just trolls trying to find fault in everything influencers do.
Kate says
trolls
EJ says
My state was one of the first to reopen and we have managed to keep new cases from increasing by WEARING MASKS! If you want to go out, do it, but wear a freaking mask. I went out protesting AND I wore a mask in 95° heat. There are ways to be smart about this and still live your life. Make a small sacrifice for the lives of those at high risk.
Taralynn McNitt says
We rented a small room at the winery and were away from everyone. There was no need to wear a mask. I get wearing them out in public, but not where we were 👍
EJ says
You are correct, Darlene. Cases are increasing in North and South Carolina. I sure would love to go out and about with friends, but I’d rather not add to the increasing cases like this.
Emily says
Love your posts as always! 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Emily!
Katie says
This vineyard is less than 10 miles from my home and is absolutely beautiful!
Taralynn McNitt says
Lucky!!
Harriet says
Wow what an amazing place to live near, it just looks like a little slice of Tuscany absolutely stunning!
We have the most amazing natural geothermal hot soaking pools 20minutes out of town, nestled between farms, it’s so nice to sit and soak with a glass of wine with farm views, we always take our guests there. Hope you have a great week.
Taralynn McNitt says
Wow, that sounds like a dream, Harriet!!
Ashton Jury says
Oh wow, that winery is adorable! I’d love to take my mom somewhere like that, I may take her on the malibu wine safari when that eventually opens up again. You should check out the Billy Graham Library, my grandma loved there garden exhibit (she paints and flowers are her fave) and I believe its near Charlotte. It’s been June Gloom here in SoCal, so first day of summer was kind of a bust, oh well. Hope you have a great rest of the week, can’t wait to read more over my morning coffee.
Taralynn McNitt says
That’ll be so fun!!!! We had a blast there!!
♥️
Milena says
Hi Taralynn!
Your pictures really make me wanna come back to Italy right now!
Also your dress is so cute, I love it 🙂
It happens to me as well with my hair, every time I do my hair, it’s pouring or something!
I love discovering new hidden gems close to Barcelona. Last weekend we went to a Botanical Garden in a small town by the sea and the views were breathtaking <3
I spent myt first day of summer reading a book in a terrace 🙂
Have a nice rest of the week, big hugs! <3
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Milena!!
Italy would be a dream right now!
AHHHH that sounds so pretty!!!!!
Beth says
Hi!
I really love reading your blog, it brings a little bit of happy and right now we need it!
I’m a terrible cook but do try your recipes and admire the effort you put into everything. If it wasn’t for fitness this pandemic would have made me a lump 🙁
Readers please keep political beliefs to yourself.
Both the US and Canada have allowed groups of up to 10 in what they call social circles. Exposing themselves only to each other. Taralynn did nothing wrong.
Holding protests although there is a need for it is not appropriate during a pandemic. I don’t have any racial bias I only have human bias 🙂
I am in a country that has flattened the curve but today was mandated that everyone must wear a mask in enclosed spaces.
Readers please educate yourself before posting!
Christina says
I’m curious to know who you used for transportation.