GD Vajra

The story of G.D. Vajra

The story of G.D. Vajra begins with love at first sight. At the end of the 1960s, the young Aldo Vaira, born in Turin, was sent to spend a summer with his grandparents in the Barolo region. The revelation was such that he decided to devote his life to the vine. In 1972, still a minor, he founded the estate at Vergne with the help of his father Giuseppe Domenico, whose initials give the name G.D. Vajra, thus reviving a family winemaking tradition dating back to the early twentieth century.

The early years were intense, with Aldo teaching viticulture at the University of Alba by day and working at the estate in the evenings and at weekends with his wife Milena. As early as 1971, the estate obtained one of the first organic certifications in the region, long before the practice became widespread. Over the decades, the property grew to around forty hectares and some of the finest crus in the appellation. Today, their children Giuseppe, Francesca and Isidoro carry on the family work, supported by their parents.

Terroirs and Vineyards of G.D. Vajra

The vineyard extends over around forty hectares in the Langhe, of which some twenty are devoted to Barolo on renowned crus such as Bricco delle Viole, Fossati, La Volta, Coste di Vergne, Ravera and Coste di Rose. The location of Vergne, at the highest altitude in the commune of Barolo, between three hundred and fifty and four hundred metres, offers a longer ripening cycle that confers freshness, balance and silky tannins to the wines.

Beyond nebbiolo, the king grape variety, the estate cultivates dolcetto, barbera, freisa, pinot noir, riesling and moscato, all sourced from mass selections and farmed according to organic and biodynamic principles. The Luigi Baudana estate, entrusted to the Vajra family in 2009, also contributes superb plots in Serralunga d'Alba, including the Baudana and Cerretta crus, on calcareous soils conducive to more powerful Barolos.

The winemaking of G.D. Vajra

The cellar philosophy at G.D. Vajra eschews the intensive use of new oak in favour of elegance and purity. To achieve greater balance, the family pushes ripeness further and favours long macerations and extended ageing. The great Barolos thus macerate for several weeks, then age for around twenty-six months in large Slavonian oak casks, which preserve the fruit and the character of the terroir.

Each plot and each cru is vinified separately in order to reveal its personality. The estate also stands out for its historical curiosity, with the resurrection of forgotten styles such as the Claré J.C., a nebbiolo partly vinified as whole clusters inspired by 17th-century practices, testifying to a deep respect for Piedmontese tradition.

The cuvées of G.D. Vajra

Barolo Bricco delle Viole: the flagship cuvée from the highest cru in the commune of Barolo. Renowned for its finesse, grace and elegance, this is a Barolo of subtlety rather than power, endowed with great ageing potential.

Barolo Ravera: a grand cru with a strong character, first vintage in 2010. Profound and structured, it marries red fruits, spices and floral notes with remarkable precision.

Barolo Coste di Rose: a cru produced since 2015, marked by sandy soils that bring aromatic finesse and delicacy, in a perfumed and refined style.

Barolo Albe: a blended Barolo sourced from several plots such as Fossati, La Volta and Coste, offering an unbeatable quality-to-price ratio and a fine introduction to the estate's style.

Barolo Baudana: a Barolo from the Luigi Baudana estate in Serralunga d'Alba, sourced from the eponymous cru, combining the power and depth typical of this calcareous terroir.

Barolo Cerretta: the second grand cru from Serralunga under the Baudana label, flavoursome and structured, built for long ageing.

Langhe Nebbiolo: the entry-level nebbiolo, brilliant, pure and youthful, the perfect antechamber to the estate's great Barolos.

Langhe Nebbiolo Claré J.C.: a light and thirst-quenching nebbiolo, partly vinified as whole clusters in a forgotten Piedmontese claret style, lively and easy-drinking.

Barbera d'Alba: a fruity and balanced barbera, sourced from organically farmed fruit, vinified with the same philosophy of long maceration as the great wines.

Barbera d'Alba Superiore Viola delle Viole: a superior selection of barbera, more concentrated and profound, with dense fruit and a beautiful length.

Piemonte Barbera Freisa: an original blend of barbera and freisa inspired by an old bottle found in the family cellar, expressive and original.

Langhe Freisa Kyè: an emblematic cuvée celebrating the rare indigenous freisa grape variety, from the San Ponzio vineyard, with a great territorial personality.

Langhe Pinot Nero: a Piedmontese interpretation of pinot noir, fine and delicate, which elegantly broadens the estate's palette.

Dolcetto d'Alba: an indulgent and juicy dolcetto, regularly considered among the finest in Piedmont, best enjoyed in its youth.

Dolcetto d'Alba Coste & Fossati: a single-vineyard selection of dolcetto from Barolo crus, richer and more complex, with notes of black fruits and spices.

Langhe Rosso: a convivial and approachable red, designed for immediate pleasure while bearing the estate's signature.

Langhe Riesling Pétracine: the first riesling from Piedmont, sourced from the freshest and most calcareous zones of the estate, lively, taut and mineral.

Dragon: a white blended wine from the Luigi Baudana estate, marrying several grape varieties including riesling, chardonnay, sauvignon and nascetta, fresh and aromatic.

Rosabella: a tender and fruity rosé, pleasant and refreshing, perfect for convivial moments.

N.S. della Neve: a sparkling nebbiolo rosé crafted by the classic method, fine and elegant, in an extra brut register.

Moscato d'Asti: a sweet and lightly sparkling white wine based on moscato, with floral and fruity aromas, light and perfumed.

Barolo Chinato: a Piedmontese speciality based on Barolo flavoured with barks and spices, perfect as a digestif, testifying to the estate's historical expertise.