Producer Spotlight 3-Pack - G.D. Vajra

 

The Vajra family has been farming in Bricco delle Viole, the highest cru in Comune de Barolo, since the 1880s. Aldo Vajra, at the young age of 15, passionatley embraced his family's legacy and has been a true innovator ever since. He took over the estate in 1968, acquired the first organic certification in the region in 1971, pioneered the renaissance of the ancient and sadly largely forgotten grape Freisa in 1980, and was the first to cultivate Riesling in Langhe starting in 1985. 

As you can see, there's a lot to love about this producer and his wines. The years of passion and love put into this estate and the wines that come out of it are evident from the moment you open the bottle, making this truly a producer to keep an eye on. His wines are elegant and age worthy, yet also appropriate for spontaneous, everyday drinking, and we have yet to try one that we didn't love. Check out out the G.D. Vajra wines available in the shop below! 

G.D. Vajra 'Petracine' Riesling Langhe, Italy 2020

Riesling? From Italy?! Yes! Aldo Vajra took it upon himself to cultivate the first Riesling of Piedmonte in the high elevation hillsides of Fossati and Bricco Bertone. In the words of his daughter, Francesca Vajra, “my father has been the pioneer of Riesling in Piedmont. An intuition born in the late 1970s and put into effect in 1985. The story of Riesling narrates his passion and curiosity very well: extremely respectful of our land but open to the world. For my brothers and I it has been the opportunity to fall in love with Riesling and be surprised by our father being in love with his work."Beautiful and well put, we believe this sentiment describes this wine exactly- elegant yet adventurous, invigorating and youthful yet something with enough seriousness to age. This bottle is a true rarity, and the passion and love that goes into its creation is apparent with each sip.

G.D. Vajra Rosso Piedmont (Langhe) Italy 2019

Consider this blend a cross-section of Piedmont: mostly broody Nebbiolo, with some Dolcetto for depth and Barbera for brightness, then a touch of Freisa and Albarossa for summery fruit, and a little Pinot Nero to finish. This sustainably farmed estate, at the highest point of Barolo, knows its neighborhood well and how to let these grapes show off perfectly.

The nose is alluring with notes of tobacco and dried flowers, while the palate is layered with plum, pomegranate, and dark cherries. Graphite minerality (thank you Pinot Nero) and an easy-going acidity tie this blend up with a tidy bow.

G.D. Vajra Nebbiolo Piedmont (Langhe), Italy 2019

This (organic) estate and winery is a whole family affair, with all three kids involved in the business. Which must be a triumph in itself for the father, who returned to the countryside in the 70s to escape the unrest of the city and dedicate himself to being steward of his family’s land. 100% of the fruit for this wine comes from vineyards around the estate, which resides in Vergne, the highest village of Barolo.

Made from younger vines, hence the Langhe designation as they save the older vines for their Barolo releases, it’s meant to be a fresh-faced version of the varietal. There are the recognizable Nebbiolo aromatics of roses and wild herbs, with crunchy fruit on the palate and lovely minerality. Barolo fruit at an everyday price, with a youthful pep!