FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:

Thomas Salley

Event Planning and Media Relations

t.336.835.9463

f.336.835.9330

Thomas@raffaldini.com

www.raffaldini.com

Raffaldini Vineyards Wins Three Gold Medals at Lodi International Wine Competition

Ronda, NC, April 28, 2009—Five wines from Raffaldini Vineyards received a total of 14 awards at the Lodi International Wine Competition in Lodi, Cal., held March 8-9, 2009

Gold medals were awarded to the 2007 Bella Misto, 2007 SPQR and 2007 Sangiovese Riserva.

The 2007 Bella Misto and 2007 Sangiovese Riserva were awarded medals by judges from each taste preference category; Hypersensitive, Sensitive and Tolerant. “These categories are based upon research and procedures developed by Drs. Michael O'Mahony, Rie Ishii, University of California, Davis, and Tim Hanni, MW”:

About the Competition

Courtesy www.lodiwineawards.com

“The Lodi International wine awards is the first and only judging to use a new evaluation methodology that takes into account issues of flavor distortion and palate fatigue that often occurs at tastings and judgings where many wines are evaluated over a long and extended session.”

The Lodi International Wine Awards differentiates among three principal categories or segments based on sensory sensitivity, wine value/rating systems and stylistic preferences:

Tolerant tasters -- who tend to favor dry, high-intensity, assertive wines.

Sensitive tasters -- the median group with a rather broad range of preferences.

Hyper-sensitive tasters -- who tend to have an aversion to bitterness and favor delicacy over intensity. They often prefer some degree of sweetness in their wines.

You can find out what your unique TasteSQ is by going to their web site. 

About Raffaldini Vineyards

Nestled in the Yadkin Valley Region of North Carolina, family-owned Raffaldini Vineyards brings Old World charm to the Old North State. Known as “Chianti in the Carolinas” Raffaldini currently produces both varietal wines and blends with its signature wines being Vermentino, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Sangiovese Riserva and Montepulciano. Raffaldini hosts public and private events throughout the year. Please visit our web site, www.raffaldini.com, call 336.835.9463 or email info@raffaldini.com for more information.

 Travelers from Mount Airy:  
Take I-77 South, past Dobson and Elkin/Jonesville to Exit 73B (US Highway 421 North). Proceed in a northwesterly direction on US 421 for approximately 1.5 miles to Exit 267, Windsor Rd. At end of ramp, turn right at stop sign. Continue for .1 mile to next stop sign. Go left on Old US Hwy 421 for 1.4 miles to stop sign. Turn right on Swan Creek Road. Go 2.6 miles to Clingman Road. Turn left and go 1.1 mile to Groce Road. Turn left. Vineyard is .25 mile up the road on the right. (Note: Groce Rd. is a loop road and intersects with Clingman-Cedar Forest Rd. at .5 miles and at 1.1 miles. Take either. You will reach Raffaldini Vineyards both ways. Watch for sign.)