Luigi Baudana
This small estate has just over four hectares of vineyard, all in the...
commune of Serralunga d'Alba. Their tiny cellar is situated in the village of Baudana, while their vineyards are primarily in the 'crus' of Baudana and the highly regarded Cerretta. After 30 years running the winery, and without heirs to take over the business, Luigi and Fiorina Baudana took the difficult decision to sell. As part of his research, Luigi visited the Vajra winery incognito one day, and was so impressed with the way they dealt with people and communicated their philosophy that he rang Aldo soon afterwards to ask if he would be interested in buying the estate. A deal was soon done, and the Vajra family have run this estate alongside Luigi and Fiorina ever since. The first vintage was 2009 and from then onwards we can see the true expression of the new Luigi Baudana.
Vineyards
The Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc vineyards are located on the north-east shoulder of Cerretta Piani at mid-slope. A fold of this slope makes the plot cooler and more suitable for white grapes. Below the thin topsoil lies one of the oldest conglomerates of all Piemonte: 14-million-year-old Helvetian soil. Vajra has always believed in sustainable farming and keeps the turf natural and green in the vineyard. Traditional pruning is practiced as well as using the Guyot mixed system of trellising. Every phase of winemaking, starting in the vineyard, is done by hand. No irrigation is used, while green harvest is decided according to the vintage
Vintage Information
The 2016 vintage was one of the longest in recent years, with a very mild winter. From the end of February, temperatures dropped and there was plenty of rain, providing the soil with good reserves of water. This led to a delay in the beginning of the vegetative cycle. Spring began with a considerable amount of rain, with low average temperatures, due mainly very cold night temperatures. The beginning of summer was delayed too, but it extended until the end of September bringing grapes to a very long ripening and very healthy fruit at harvest time.
Vinification
Manual harvest took place during the first 15 days of September. A soft crushing was followed by 15 to 20 days of fermentation at temperatures under 16°C. The wine aged in stainless steel until bottling the following spring.
Tasting Notes
Dry perfumes of flowers and fresh-cut grass come through on the palate with a subtle savoury and mineral edge. The small percentage of Riesling and Nascetta gives the wine an aromatic lift and a long refreshing finish.
Vintage Information
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Grape varieties | 50% Chardonnay 30% Sauvignon Blanc 15% Riesling 5% Nascetta |
| Region | Serralunga d'Alba, Piemonte |
| Winemaker | Aldo Vajra |
| Alcohol (ABV) | 13.5% |
Trade customers
Liberty Wines customers can order this wine directly from us.