GD Vajra Barbera D’ Alba, 2021

In 1971, Aldo Vajra, then still a university student, was one of the earliest to adopt organic farming in Piemonte. Vineyards have been nurtured and soil preserved by grassing and spontaneous cover crops for almost 50 years now. They are sustainable and organically certified. With an incredible ratio of manual work per hectare, farming at Vajra is a labor of love and “recipe-free” attention. Intense research is also placed into monitoring and improving the biodiversity of both flora and fauna, not just in the vineyards but also in the winery fields and forests. The winery is sustainably certified (UNI EN 11233:2009) and organic certified.

Harvest and Winemaking:Parcels are individually fermented for an average of 20 days at a free temperature below 30°C. While Barbera is often treated with shorter and more vigorous macerations, we love to work with gentle punchdowns and rinsings of the cap for longer periods in order to capture all the fragrance of the grapes. Malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, followed by raking

Tasting Notes: The 2021 Barbera D’Alba has a deep purple color. The nose is vibrant and combines vivid red and black fruits with sweet spices and aromatic herbs. Hints of anise and graphite add complexity to the wine. The palate is succulent and incredibly layered, yet bright with elegant acidity, strawberries, cherries, a whiffle of white pepper, and a minerally long finish.