MSW_Wine&Spirits2018

G . D . VA J R A

Italy Owner: Fam. Vajra Winemaker: Fam. Vajra Founded: 1972 www.gdvajra.it/en/homepage

Milena and Aldo began the winery in 1972, producing small quantities of Piemontese wines from vineyards planted by Aldo’s father in 1947. The estate is named after Giuseppe Domenico Vajra, using vineyards that had been in the family since the 1920s. Vajra is now run by his Giuseppe’s son Aldo who, with the help of his wife Milena and their children. The 98 acre estate is located in Vergne, at an altitude of up to 1200 feet, the highest village of Barolo in north-west Italy. The elevated growing conditions here mean that grapes ripen later than in nearby vineyards, but possess an distinctive elegance as a result. The dry micro climate also results in relatively small yields helping to ensure grapes of excellent quality. The vineyards are planted with Nebbiolo in such prized vineyards as Bricco delle Viole, Fossati, La Volta and Coste di Vergne. Here the soil is rich in calcareous marl, with rocky outcrops, giving fragrant and

T H E W I N E K E Y S • G.D. VAJRA WINES HAVE A BURGUNDIAN INTENSITY AND A PURITY OF FLAVOR THAT MAKES THEM STAND OUT IN BAROLO • ALDO VAJRA ADHERES TO OLD-STYLE WINEMAKING METHODS, SUCH AS AGING HIS BAROLO IN BARREL FOR THREE AND HALF YEARS PRIOR TO BOTTLING • ORGANIC VITICULTURE

particularly long-lived wines. They practice organic farming and craft sensitive, transparent wines of place by allowing the fruit to dictate its own evolution.

Piedmont, Italy

Aldo Vajra