{"title":"Meet the Maker: Giuseppe Vajra","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"g-d-vajra-barolo-chinato-piedmont-italy","title":"G.D. Vajra Barolo Chinato Piedmont, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eDESCRIPTION: Barolo Chinato is an ancient Piedmontese digestif. The wine used as a production base is Barolo DOCG Albe of the current vintage. The “chinatura” is the addition of infusions of about thirty herbs, rinds and roots of plants, including China (Cinchona Calisaya), hence the name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBLEND: 85% DOCG Barolo Albe, 15% hydro-alcoholic extracts of aromatic and medicinal herbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRECIPE: Every Chinato has a secret recipe, but some flavors (primarily that of Barolo) are so obvious that they can not be kept under wraps ... Selecting the herbs we have chosen those favored by the specific digestive, decongestant and relaxing properties, drawing liberally from the rich floral heritage of the Alps that hug Piedmont. The peel of organic oranges from Sicily, spices and brown sugar complete the process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTASTING NOTES: Intense ruby red. The nose displays typical freshness of our Barolo, with a weave of roses and ripe cherries, fresh mountain herbs and orange zest. In the mouth, bitter sweet and persistent flavors. Beautiful as a digestive or paired with dark chocolate. 18% alcohol.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCURIOSITY: - Barolo Chinato is a flavored wine, not fortified: this means that most alcohol content and sweetness (two characteristics shared by these two types of wines), are due to herbal and spice infusions in alcohol and together with the sugar added to the Barolo. - It’s called Barolo ... because the wine follows the procedural guideline of the Barolo DOCG wines and only after obtaining the DOCG, can begin the manufacturing process. - The practice of flavoring wine was widespread in Egypt, Persia and even in ancient Rome, the Vermouth (born in Turin at the end of the 18th century) has certainly drawn its inspiration from here, and Barolo Chinato from Vermouth. The originality of Barolo Chinato (whose creators were Dr. Cappellano in Serralunga and Dr. Zabaldano in Monforte), was to combine a mix of spices to an extraordinary wine which is the Barolo. - In Barolo Chinato the synergy of elements extracted by maceration in alcohol, leads to the development of active ingredients with bitter taste that stimulate the secretion of saliva and gastric juice, thus helping digestion. This makes the Barolo Chinato a great digestive, but also an aperitif.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Winebow","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44721188602155,"sku":"5644","price":63.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/5327\/0827\/products\/IMG_5337-005644.jpg?v=1678471258"},{"product_id":"2022-g-d-vajra-barolo-dalbe-piedmont-italy","title":"2022 G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe Piedmont, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e Nebbiolo from high-elevation sites (380–480 m) with exposures ranging from south-southeast to south-west. The fruit was hand-picked October 5–21, triple-sorted, and fermented with native yeasts in vertical tini; macerations ran 30–61 days with partial submerged-cap. Élevage was 24 months in large Slavonian casks (40–75 hL), with bottling in July 2024. The 2021 shows bright red cherry and rose with orange zest, gentle spice, and fine, silky tannins.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Winebow","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53228679037293,"sku":"21591","price":43.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/5327\/0827\/files\/2022G.D.VajraBaroloD_Albe_Piedmont_Italy.jpg?v=1781286546"},{"product_id":"2025-g-d-vajra-clare-j-c-langhe-nebbiolo-piedmont-italy","title":"2025 G.D. Vajra 'Clare J.C.' Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eDESCRIPTION: Claré JC is a unique wine, our take on the forgotten days of Nebbiolo, when it was enjoyed in its lighter and fresher garment. The winemaking protocol follows the 1606 writings of G.B. Croce, jeweler of the House of Savoia: the wine is bottled soon after the fermentation so as to retain a gentle off-dry finish and a lovely energy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVARIETY: 100% Nebbiolo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVINEYARD AND TERROIR: Fruit from our young Nebbiolo vineyards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGROWING: 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 crop for almost 50 years now. They are sustainable and organic 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVINTAGE: The 2025 vintage was marked by very low yields, yet extraordinary fruit quality. After an only moderately cold January, spring arrived early, announced by primroses, almond and apricot blossoms and an early Nebbiolo budbreak. Abundant rains demanded careful vineyard protection, but also built up valuable water reserves for a very warm June. Several hail events naturally reduced the crop. Harvest began on August 19th, unfolding under bright days and wide diurnal shifts, preserving freshness and precision. A small vintage in terms of quantity, yet one of radiant fruit and rare beauty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHARVEST AND WINEMAKING: Fruit was picked in the second half of September. Approximately 20% of the fruit fermented whole cluster. After a short maceration, the wine was racked to finish fermentation off the skins so as to preserve some natural freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAGING: Very short aging in a close stainless steel vat prior to bottling on February 11th, 2026. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Winebow","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67735368302957,"sku":"23467","price":26.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"2024-g-d-vajra-freisa-kye-langhe-rosso-piedmont-italy","title":"2024 G.D. Vajra Freisa 'Kye' Langhe Rosso Piedmont, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eDESCRIPTION: In 2004, Dr. Anna Schneider identified Freisa as the closest known relative of Nebbiolo, a discovery that illuminated and gave new clarity to its noble structure and subtle allure. Long cherished in Piemonte, Freisa shares not only genetic roots, but a temperament: vibrant, structured, and deeply expressive of its hills. Today, fine dry Freisa remains rare, a quiet insider’s secret known to those who look beyond the obvious. Kyé - meaning “Who is?” in Occitan dialect - is our expression of surprise before this remarkable variety. First crafted in 1989, it is our tribute to a grape both ancient and unexpected: generous yet poised, traditional yet quietly rebellious and boldly individual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVARIETY: 100% Freisa. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVINEYARD AND TERROIR: Kyé is crafted from the finest fruit of three estate parcels: San Ponzio, planted in 1980 with massal selections on pure Tortonian marl at the foot of Bricco delle Viole; Bergera, established in 1998 on lighter alluvial soils; and Tarditi, a 2014 planting rooted in sandy limestone in the Comune di Novello. Together, these sites bring depth and structure, fragrance and lift. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGROWING: In 1971, Aldo Vaira, then still a university student, was among the earliest to embrace organic farming in Piemonte. For more than five decades, our vineyards have been nurtured through permanent grass cover and spontaneous vegetation, preserving soil structure, enhancing microbial life, and fostering natural balance. These practices also encourage deeper root systems and ensure good water retention and soil oxygenation, allowing the vines to explore the subsoil and build natural resilience. The estate is certified organic and Equalitas sustainable. With an extraordinary level of manual work per hectare, farming at Vajra remains a labor of love, guided by observation, humility, and daily presence in the vines. Continuous research supports the vitality of our soils and the biodiversity of flora and fauna, extending beyond the vineyards into surrounding fields and woodlands, with the purpose of strengthening the resilience of the entire ecosystem. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVINTAGE: 2023 proved to be a lovely vintage in Barolo, despite the erratic weather that hit east of the Langhe and in many regions across Italy. The year features some markers of classicism: a long phenolic season - starting with early bud break around mid of March- early flowering and a late harvest blessed by good diurnal shifts. Clusters were loose since flowering, which resulted in low yields and very healthy grapes. We expect this to be a vintage of good density, vibrant energy and beautiful structure. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHARVEST AND WINEMAKING: In 2023, Freisa was picked between October 3rd and 15th. Grapes are sorted manually three times as customs at Vajra: directly on the vine, on whole clusters and as single berries after destemming. Fermentation lasted for approximately 43 days and was followed by spontaneous malolactic fermentation. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAGING: Gentle and short aging in a Slavonian cask for 4 months, prior to bottling on June 5th, 2024. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Winebow","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67735407493485,"sku":"23468","price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/5327\/0827\/products\/IMG-3047-006979.jpg?v=1678472430"},{"product_id":"2025-g-d-vajra-dolcetto-dalba-piedmont-italy","title":"2025 G.D. Vajra Dolcetto d'Alba, Piedmont, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom Vajra: Historically, Dolcetto was cultivated in prime land, just above Nebbiolo vineyards. At Vajra, we remain loyal to this approach and keep farming this variety in places of true vocation. Our Dolcetto d’Alba DOC is a homage to a wonderful, often overlooked heritage of Piemonte. It is a pure, vibrant and fruity expression of the grape, ideal for many food pairings from appetizers to pastas and vegetables and light proteins such as white meats and egg-based dishes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Winebow","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67735414014317,"sku":"23469","price":24.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/5327\/0827\/products\/2020_G.D._Vajra_Dolcetto_d_Alba-009542.jpg?v=1678474804"},{"product_id":"2022-luigi-baudana-barolo-del-comune-di-serralunga-dalba-docg-italy","title":"2022 Luigi Baudana Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d'Alba DOCG, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn the history of Barolo, before the prevalence of single-\u003cem\u003ecru\u003c\/em\u003e bottlings, it was more common to blend fruit from sites of differing exposure, altitude, and soil type in order to obtain a more expressive and balanced wine.  Baudana's Barolo Serralunga combines fruit from the younger vines (planted 1990) of the Cerretta and Baudana \u003cem\u003ecrus\u003c\/em\u003e and, more recently, adds fruit from a small parcel in the \u003cem\u003ecru\u003c\/em\u003e of Costabella, just next to Baudana. Cerretta (SE exposure) has the typical Serralunga soils called \u003cem\u003eFormazione di Lequio \u003c\/em\u003eover a substrate of iron-rich clay.  Baudana (SW exposure) combines some \u003cem\u003eLequio\u003c\/em\u003e with the \u003cem\u003eSant'Agata Fossili \u003c\/em\u003esoils more commonly found in La Morra and Barolo.  Costabella (S-SE exposure) is more purely composed of the \u003cem\u003eSant'Agata\u003c\/em\u003e soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDepending on the vintage, parts of the three \u003cem\u003ecrus \u003c\/em\u003ewill be co-fermented. Fermentation is spontaneous in open-top wood vats, with macerations lasting 20-25 days. Aging is in Slavonian oak \u003cem\u003ebotti\u003c\/em\u003e, followed by more aging in bottle.  Around 8,000 bottles produced. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bowler","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67735421878637,"sku":"23471","price":72.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/5327\/0827\/products\/Baudana_Serralunga_Barolo_16-006112.jpg?v=1678471657"}],"url":"https:\/\/leonandsonwine.com\/collections\/meet-the-maker-giuseppe-vajra.oembed","provider":"Leon \u0026 Son Wine and Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}