Our Story: From Neon Lights to Vineyard Nights

It all started when…

For years, Joey Medaloni’s world was defined by the fast-paced energy of the city. As a prominent nightlife entrepreneur in downtown Greensboro, his weekends were filled with neon lights, crowded clubs, and the non-stop hustle of the entertainment industry. But eventually, the neon began to fade, and a different kind of calling took hold—one that traded the bass of the nightclub for the quiet rustle of grapevine leaves.

In 2007, facing burnout and looking for a deeper connection to the land, Joey made a radical choice. He sold his nightclubs, traded his city Escalade for a Ford F-250, and set his sights on the rolling hills of North Carolina wine country.

In 2008, he found his canvas: 22 heavily wooded, untouched acres on a hilltop in Lewisville. The land had no electricity, no plumbing, and no paths—just raw potential.

Joey’s first act of winemaking wasn't crushing grapes; it was clearing trees. To share his vision with early investors, he built a simple wooden deck by a creek on the property. There, over glasses of wine, they watched the sunset and imagined what the land could become.

Determined to master the craft from the ground up, Joey immersed himself in wine production. He studied under local winemaking experts and paired traditional French techniques with a minimal-intervention philosophy, focusing on the pure expression of the fruit. After years of clearing land, planting vines, and building our signature log-style tasting room, Medaloni Cellars officially opened its doors to the public.

Today, Medaloni Cellars is a reflection of that leap of faith. What started as a wild, wooded hilltop is now a vibrant 22-acre escape complete with walking trails, sunset decks, and rustic rental cabins. Joey traded the nightlife for a life rooted in the soil, and we invite you to pour a glass, step out onto the deck, and share in the journey with us.