G.D. Vajra 'Kyè' Langhe Freisa

Wine Type: Red

Grape(s): 100% Freisa

Country: Italy

Region: Langhe DOC, Piedmont

Organic: Yes

Vegan: Yes

ABV: 15%

Winery: The Vaira family is based in the small village of Vergne, which sits above the town of Barolo on the westernmost edge of the denomination. They have 20 hectares of Barolo vineyard planted along this western part of the zone, including the outstanding single vineyards ‘Ravera’, ‘Fossati’, ‘La Volta’, ‘Coste di Vergne’, ‘Coste di Rose’. Their prime site is Bricco delle Viole, which sits at more than 400 metres above sea level. The elevation and westerly orientation make this vineyard an exceptional cru, as it benefits from the cool breezes that flow from the mountains to the west, as well as from morning and evening sun. The style of wine from this site, scented yet ripe, supple yet with great ageing potential, sets the template for the rest of the G.D. Vajra wines.

While Aldo’s grandparents bought the land in the 1920s, his father was educated in Turin, after which he became a lawyer. But it all started for Aldo in 1968 when he was part of a group of protesting students who marched past his father’s office. Shocked at Aldo’s involvement with the marchers, his parents dispatched him to the farm in Barolo for the summer. When he returned to Turin in September, his parents were even more shocked when he told them he wanted to become a farmer and bring the family farm back to life. After much discussion, his parents agreed to him studying agriculture at university.

Over the next four years, Aldo travelled frequently to Vergne to start planting and running a small vineyard, putting into practice what he learned at university. One of the first precepts he implemented was organic viticulture, something that was revolutionary at the time, but which has been core to the G.D. Vajra philosophy ever since. In 1972, he was ready for his first vintage, which turned out to be the worst of the 20th century. Despite the fact that not a bottle of Barolo was produced from the 1972 vintage, he remained calm and committed, teaching viticulture to earn a living while the wines he made in subsequent vintages matured in the cellar. At the same time, he slowly acquired more land where he could.

Aldo and his wife, Milena, are now joined in this family venture by their children Giuseppe, Francesca and Isidoro. The youngest, Isidoro, works with Aldo to manage the vineyard while Giuseppe looks after the winery and Francesca administration, visits and everything else there is to do in a property this size.

Winemaking: This wine is made from carefully selected grapes grown in sustainable vineyards. With its bold yet balanced profile, it has become a favourite among wine enthusiasts looking for something special to try. Before vinification and as per Vajra tradition, the grapes were manually selected three times: on the vine, on the selection tables once in the cellar and, finally, grape by grape after destemming. The fermentation, which lasted about 50 days, was immediately followed by spontaneous malolactic fermentation.

Tasting Notes: Deep ruby red in the glass, this wine has aromas of elderberry, plum, ash and dark fruits. Full-bodied with balanced acidity and alcohol, it is savoury and rich with sweet tannins and a ripe, long finish.