Ineffable Perfumes, Indomitable Desire
Giuseppe Vajra
Giuseppe Vajra of G.D. Vajra wines appeared with his wines and his stories on the forthcoming Piemonte season of Modo di Bere TV.
The “Sense of Place” magazine series celebrates the wine regions filmed for Modo di Bere TV.
MODO DI BERE: What is the name of the town where you grew up?
VAJRA: Vergne, a 300-people-hamlet tucked on the western hill of Barolo. Apparently, the name came from 'svernare' or to spend the winter: in ancient times, people would spend winters here, so as to escape the humid fog of the valleys.
MODO DI BERE: Tell me about Piemonte like I’ve never heard of it before.
VAJRA: An indomitable, infinite desire. This is Piemonte.
Encaptured by the mountains, somewhat imprisoned by its own geographical and political boundaries, by the formality of being the Savoy’s kingdom, by the misery that made people fight neighbors instead of dreaming of sailing and discovering and trading. Yet, an indomitable desire of infinity, an acceptance of sacrifice, a striving to improve.
And finally, a land of ineffable perfumes, whether in wine, food, or mysterious truffles underground. This is also Piemonte.
MODO DI BERE: If you brought me to Piemonte to show me around, what would we be looking at? Landscapes, plants, animals, structures, people?
VAJRA: I'd take you to a couple of my secret spots. Places that hardly no tourist has ever seen, that disclose gorgeous angles on our rolling hills and vineyards. And then I'd take you to an off-the-beaten-path trattoria to get a taste of old Piemonte.
The Vajra family has farmed Bricco delle Viole, the highest cru in Comune di Barolo, since the 1880s.
“A land of ineffable perfumes, whether in wine, food, or mysterious truffles underground. This is also Piemonte. ”
MODO DI BERE: Can you share a memory of Piemontese seasons or weather?
VAJRA: Maybe one of the most glorious times, for me, is the 'ottobrate': days in which early mountain snow drops boTh temperature and humidity, revealing the brightest of all landscapes.
MODO DI BERE: Let’s also speak about the flavor of the language, the local way of speaking. What does it sound like? Can you teach me a very local saying or phrase?
VAJRA: It sounds closer to french than Italian, it is rather edgy but with a musicality. Old Piemontese people may have not been educated, by the surely had words and magnificent expression.
MODO DI BERE: What does dialect mean to you?
VAJRA: The language of my mum's parents, and endless memories of my youth.
MODO DI BERE: When you dream about Piemonte, what do you dream about?
VAJRA: I dream about my home.
At the young age of fifteen, Aldo Vajra embraced the dream to revive his family legacy. Displaying a vision and commitment belying his young age he took over the estate in 1968, turning a new page. Aldo soon acquired the first organic certification of the region (1971), created private biotype selections (selezioni massali) of Nebbiolo and Dolcetto, pioneered the renaissance of Freisa, a noble yet forgotten local grape (1980) and the cultivation of Rhine Riesling in Piemonte (1985).
High elevation vineyards are a unique factor to Vajra wines, allowing them to express finesse and remarkable complexity over simple power. Attention to detail and humility toward nature, uncompromised efforts and humanity, these are the ideals of the Vajra family: Aldo and Milena, now joined by their children Giuseppe, Francesca and Isidoro, and by an amazing team of young professionals. G.D. Vajra is an independent winery, entirely family-owned.
—Giuliana Imports
