Aldo and Milena Vaira with their first grandbaby

Aldo Vaira as you have never seen him before . . . with his first grandchild . . . and his lovely wife, Milena . . .

Pre-Harvest G.D. Vajra walking in the vineyards

Ready or not ready?  Looks like lots of variation in the bunches.

Aldo and Giuseppe Vaira

Riesling or Moscato

Aldo Vaira

Sinio- Roddino e Novello

Giuseppe, looking very Roman.

Aldo checking the grapes out.

Giuseppe working hard to get up those steep slopes.

What do you think?  Dolcetto?

Son and father, Aldo.

Just about ready.

G.D. Vajra tasting at winery with Milena Vaira . . . .

I set up a couple of people from Califonria with a tasting and tour at G.D. Vajra winery and these are some of the photos they sent back.  If anyone is ever in Piedmont and wants to go, please feel free to email me to set up an appointment at G.D. Vajra.  You won't be disappointed.

Looking out towards the residence from the winery

Looking up the hill at vineyards

 A rare sighting.  2001 Barolo Bricco delle Viole in magnum

 I am out of the 2007 but getting more on the next shipment

The 2010 Langhe Bianco (100% Riesling) is tasting amazing right now.

 Milena Vaira 

Taking a drive with Aldo Vaira to check on the progress of flowering in the vineyards . . .

Aldo Vaira

Looking from the Baudana vineyard in Serralunga towards Castiglione Falleto and way in the back towards the Castle La Volta in Barolo.

Just the beginning of flowering on a nebbiolo vine

Some haven't even opened up yet.

And more . . . 

Giuseppe Vaira

Steep vineyards in Sinnio (right outside the Barolo confines near Serralunga)

In the old days, these Sinnio vineyards used to be able to be labeled as Barolo and from what I have heard, lots of the older producers sourced grapes here.

Looking down the hill from the top of the Sinnio vineyard.

Vajra's harvest: The King in his kingdom

Vajra's harvest: The King in his kingdom

Fact Sheet- Barbera d'Alba DOC

The Wine


Designation: Barbera d'Alba DOC
Wine type: red dry wine
Variety: Barbera 100%
Bottle size: 750 mL


The Vineyard

This Barbera is a harmony of six vineyards expressing both the ancient Helvetian and Tortonian soil types of the Piemonte. The vines planted in calcareous soils (Tortonian soil type) produce much more delicate, aromatic wines with bright acidity and tones of wild berries. These are characterised by the sweetness in the mouth and their smooth texture. Helvetian soils offer instead wines full of perfumes of ripe black fruits that differ for their soothing aromas, bold tannic structure and minerality. These characteristics, mixed with a soil high in iron develops a wine with a fleshy richness.

The Farming


Farming: sustainable
Pruning: Guyot mixed system
Ground: natural turfing
Irrigation: no
Green harvest: yes, according to vigor and climate of the season


The Harvest


Harvest: second half of September, but this year we will start during the second week of September
Picking: by hand
Sorting: manual


The Vinification


Vinification: 15-day long fermentation at free temperature <31°C.
Method: traditional, with punch-down
M.L.F.: following alcoholic fermentation
Ageing: 14-16 months in French and Slavonian oak casks

Bottling according to evolution and moon cycle, usually at the beginning of the summer of the second year after harvest.

TASTING NOTES 2009: A violet red color alludes to the sweet, dark fruits which make for a distinctive fragrance and rarefied elegance. The powerful nose leads to a rich, concentrated and smooth mouth. The black fruits melt into mineral and graphite notes, leaving a sublime finish. We classify the Barbera as rich and long-lasting, yet intriguing and complex.