Aldo and Milena Vaira established G.D.Vajra in 1972 with some of the best vineyards in the Langhe. In total they own 25 hectares of vines with a further 10 hectares contracted for their production. They produce on average 100,000 bottles a year. Aldo Vajra and his children Giuseppe, Francesca and Isidoro aim to make wines that express the terroir of their vineyards, which are located in the Vergne zone of Barolo. The wines reflect their maker’s highly individual and personal style, they exhibit great nuance, elegance, and understatement, just like the man himself.

In the 1980s newlyweds Milena and Aldo were already cultivating a little area of Ravera planted to 100% Nebbiolo. This wine is the expression of a wait lasting more than 10 years, allowing the vines to mature and the wines to gain the right structure. It’s the sunniest, most silent and beautiful amphitheatre of the area. Ravera sits at an average elevation of 360 metres and is situated at the confluence of two different geological matrices. Over millions of years
the layers were superimposed, creating a rather fragile soil subject to erosion, but with enormous potential. It is predominantly Sant’Agata fossil marl, interspersed with sand deposits rich in iron. This undergoes a lengthy period of maceration, perhaps up to 45 days, including a short stint with submerged cap. Malolactic conversion takes place in steel in the spring following the harvest. It is aged for 30 months in 30hL Slavonian oak casks before bottling.

The G.D. Vajra 2017 Barolo Ravera shows solid build and consistency, with more rich and saturated fruit compared to the other Barolo releases from this historic estate. The Ravera cru offers broad shoulders with a tight textural fabric. That powerful approach makes a good sounding board for the wine's dark cherry, plum, dark mineral and spice flavours. This is more of a red meat wine. Tasted: June 2021; Rating: 94 Points; Monica Larner; Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate

Dark red fruit, nutmeg, dried herbs, new leather and a deeper slightly earthy bass note rumbling away. Succulent mix of red cherry and berries, plenty of spice and orange peel, distinctly earthy and ‘mineral’ feel to tannin here, a bit gravelly and they spread through the mouth so nicely. Pulls savoury on the long finish, but also offers a little rosy perfume as it goes. Perhaps my favourite wine from the 2017 Vajra release. Tasted: June 2021; Alcohol: 14.5%; Price: $183; Closure: Cork; Drink: 2022-2032+; Rated: 95 Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front

From the township of Novello and from what is now widely recognized as one of the denomination's top vineyard sites, this is just stunning, offering intense aromas of wild berries, new leather, floral notes, camphor and grilled herb. The delicious, structured palate shows finesse and power, featuring ripe red cherry, blood orange, cedar, licorice and mineral notes suggesting tangy iron. Noble tannins provide support. Reflecting the vintage, this won't need years to come around but will also age well for at least another decade. Drink 2022–2032; Tasted: June 2021; Rating: 97 Points; Kerin O'Keefe;  Wine Enthusiast