G.D. Vajra Moscato d'Asti 37.5cl

G.D Vajra sits right in the heart of Barolo country and has become one of the most loved producers in Piedmont for people who like their Nebbiolo with elegance rather than brute force. The estate was founded in the 1970s by Aldo Vajra, who returned to the family vineyards with slightly rebellious ideas for the time, focusing on organic farming long before it became fashionable and treating the vineyards with an almost obsessive level of care.

The winery is based high up in the hills above the village of Barolo, where cooler temperatures help preserve freshness and aromatics in the wines. That lift and finesse has become a big part of the Vajra style. Even the more structured Barolos tend to feel graceful rather than heavy-handed. You still get the classic Nebbiolo mix of cherry, dried rose, spice, tar and earthy complexity, but there’s a brightness running through the wines that keeps them incredibly alive.

One of the reasons people get so attached to Vajra is the consistency across the whole range. The Barolos are obviously the stars, especially bottlings like Bricco delle Viole, but the Dolcetto, Barbera and Langhe wines are far from side projects. Everything gets attention here, and even the more affordable bottles carry that same sense of detail and balance.

There’s also a warmth to the winery that comes through in the wines themselves. Some traditional Barolo producers can feel almost intimidatingly serious. Vajra manages to produce wines with enormous depth and ageing potential while still feeling welcoming and approachable. You can absolutely sit and analyse them for hours if you want, but they’re equally enjoyable opened around a dinner table with good food and people talking too loudly.

The style captures a side of Barolo that often gets forgotten. Yes, Nebbiolo can be powerful and structured, but at its best it can also be floral, energetic and surprisingly delicate. Vajra understands that balance beautifully.