G.D. Vajra Wine Tasting Dinner

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This evening promises to be an unforgettable experience, featuring a curated selection of exceptional wines from the esteemed G.D. Vajra Vineyards. Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully designed menu by Head Chef Michal, crafted exclusively for the evening. Each dish will be expertly paired to enhance the wines’ flavours, creating a seamless and memorable dining experience.

Founded in 1972, this excellent Barolo estate is named after Giuseppe Domenico, father of the latest generation in charge, Aldo. But the family has had a presence in the region for more than 200 years, owning vineyards of their own from the 1920s. Aldo Vaira took control of the family vineyards in 1968, when he was just 15 years old. Today, G.D. Vajra is one of the Piedmont region’s most recognized estates and comprises 150 acres, mostly around the commune of Barolo.

A little Family History

Aldo’s family has owned land in Barolo since the 1920s, but his father pursued a legal career in Turin. In 1968, Aldo’s involvement in student protests led his parents to send him to the family farm for the summer. Instead of returning to city life, he chose to revive the farm and study Agriculture.

While at university, he began planting vineyards in Vergne, pioneering organic viticulture—uncommon at the time but now central to Vajra’s philosophy. His first vintage in 1972 coincided with a disastrous harvest, yet he remained committed, teaching viticulture while expanding the estate. Today, Vajra spans 20 hectares across renowned Barolo sites like Bricco delle Viole, Ravera, and Fossati.

Aldo and his wife, Milena, now run the estate with their children: Isidoro manages the vineyards, Giuseppe oversees winemaking, and Francesca handles administration and hospitality.

The Land

G.D. Vajra cultivates 10 hectares of Barolo vineyards in this western part of the region, with Bricco delle Viole as the standout site, perched at over 400 meters above sea level. Its elevation and westerly orientation make it an exceptional cru, benefiting from the cooling breezes that sweep in from the mountains, along with optimal exposure to both morning and evening sunlight. The wines from this site—fragrant yet ripe, supple yet built for longevity—serve as the benchmark for the entire Vajra portfolio.

The soils in this region primarily consist of Sant’Agata Fossil marls, found in sites such as ‘Fossati,’ ‘Coste di Vergne,’ ‘La Volta,’ and ‘Bricco delle Viole,’ interspersed with occasional veins of Tortonian sandstone, as seen in ‘Ravera’ and ‘Coste di Rose.’

Giuseppe emphasizes, “There’s nothing we can do to create a wine in the cellar. Our role is to protect and nurture the fruit that results from months of hard work in the vineyards.” Thanks to the refined tannin quality achieved through meticulous farming, they can employ extended skin contact and capello sommerso (submerged cap) techniques during winemaking—not just for Nebbiolo but also for Barbera, Dolcetto, and Freisa. This approach enhances the wines’ definition on the palate, allowing them to express their delicate aromatics. “We appreciate drinkability, but we also aim to craft wines that can age,” Giuseppe adds.