{"id":4688,"date":"2026-07-15T15:35:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T15:35:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/durhammovinghub.com\/?p=4688"},"modified":"2026-07-15T15:35:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T15:35:01","slug":"this-scenic-winery-near-charlotte-ranks-no-1-in-nc-what-makes-it-special","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/durhammovinghub.com\/?p=4688","title":{"rendered":"This scenic winery near Charlotte ranks No. 1 in NC. What makes it special"},"content":{"rendered":"

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.<\/p>\n

Read our AI Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n

A North Carolina destination boasts views that \u201crival Italy\u2019s vistas\u201d \u2014 and people are taking notice.<\/p>\n

Read more It took 60 years to name this rare NC fish. Now the state can act to save it.<\/a><\/p>\n

Now, the scenic spot<\/a> of Raffaldini Vineyards ranks as the No. 1 winery in the state<\/a>. The Wilkes County destination reigned supreme on a list from food and drink website Tasting Table, which studied factors ranging from the quality of the wine to the opinions of people who love drinking it.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo choose the best winery in every state, we looked at far more than medal counts, though national and international awards certainly mattered,\u201d the website wrote in its Sunday, July 12 report. \u201cWe considered wineries earning attention for their vineyard sites, architecture, hospitality, dining experiences, and commitment to innovative winemaking.\u201d<\/p>\n

A post shared by Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery (@raffaldini)<\/a><\/p>\n

Raffaldini Vineyards is in Ronda<\/a>, a little more than a one-hour drive from uptown Charlotte and about a two and a half-hour drive from downtown Raleigh.<\/p>\n

Tasting Table said the destination grows European grape varietals \u201csuch as sangiovese, montepulciano, and petit verdot \u2014 producing wines that reflect both Old World traditions and the distinctive character of North Carolina terroir<\/a>. Consistently recognized by critics<\/a>, Raffaldini has helped elevate the profile of Southern wine while offering visitors views that rival Italy\u2019s vistas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those views come from the winery\u2019s hillside location in the Yadkin Valley<\/a>, a popular area for vineyards<\/a>. The region has unique grapes thanks to its climate, according to the Visit N.C. and N.C. Wine websites.<\/p>\n

\u201cCool nights and granite soils slow our growing season, steadily building the acidity and structure that gives Italian varietals their unmistakable depth and character,\u201d Raffaldini Vineyards wrote on its website.<\/p>\n

Read more Johnston County man pleads guilty 4 months after domestic violence murder<\/a><\/p>\n

A post shared by Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery (@raffaldini)<\/a><\/p>\n

Though the winery said it practices the \u201ccenturies-old tradition of classically dry winemaking,\u201d it got its start more recently in 2001. Today, visitors to the property can go on tours, take in the smells of roses and herbs \u2014 and of course, taste the wine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Raffaldini Vineyards \u2014 which produces 72,000 bottles each year \u2014 hasn\u2019t always ranked No. 1 in North Carolina. In 2022, the review website Yelp said the state\u2019s best place for wine<\/a> production was Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards in Hendersonville.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a fan of beer, places in North Carolina<\/a> also have made their mark. Asheville and Charlotte rank among the best U.S. cities<\/a> to grab a pint, and several of the state\u2019s breweries have earned spots on national lists, CharlotteFive previously reported.<\/p>\n

Location: 450 Groce Rd, Ronda<\/p>\n

Instagram: @raffaldini<\/a><\/p>\n

Questions about life in North Carolina? Or have a tip or story idea you\u2019d like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you.<\/p>\n

You can submit your question by filling out this form<\/a><\/b>. <\/p>\n

This story was originally published July 15, 2026 at 11:16 AM<\/span> with the headline “This scenic winery near Charlotte ranks No. 1 in NC. What makes it special.” <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Read more Jurors fail to reach a verdict in the murder trial of NC\u2019s \u2018King Blood\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Where\u2019s the best winery? Yadkin Valley destination with Italian grapes, scenic views, tastings and tours tops Tasting Table list of best places to drink wine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4687,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-read-todays-edition"],"yoast_head":"\nThis scenic winery near Charlotte ranks No. 1 in NC. 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