2019 G.D. Vajra "Kyè" Freisa, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy
ABOUT THIS WINE
In 2004, Freisa was discovered to be one of the closest relatives to Nebbiolo. This explains the noble structure and allure of the variety and its deep bonds with Piemonte and its people. Kyé means ‘who is?’: an expression of surprise for this dry Freisa, produced ever since 1989. The oldest and leading vineyard is San Ponzio, located within Bricco delle Viole on the south-west border. This is a massal selection planted by Aldo in 1980. Starting with the 2016 vintage, we’ve added Bergera, a beautiful, 19 year-old block located on a mix of marls and alluvial soils that carries a very mineral and aerial expression.
Freisa is one of the latest varietals to be picked, due to its ripening pattern. Grapes are sorted manually three times: directly on the vine, as whole clusters on the sorting tables, and lastly as single berries after destemming. Fermentation lasts around 15 to 25 days in vertical vats, and is followed by spontaneous malolactic fermentation. Langhe DOC Freisa Kyé is aged for 26 months, mostly in large oak casks. It displays a beautiful, translucent garnet color
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
The Vajra family has farmed Bricco delle Viole, the highest cru in Comune di Barolo, since the 1880s.
Aldo Vajra 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). When Aldo met Milena, who shared the same love for farming, a romance blossomed turning into the wonderful bouquet that the Vajra family represent.
High elevation vineyards are a unique factor to the Vajra wines, for their ability to express finesse and remarkable complexity over power. Dolcetto Coste & Fossati and Barbera d’Alba Superiore are a testament of the Vajras’ love for each grape, thus allocating top vineyards for these amazing native varietals.
Attention to detail and humility towards nature, un-compromised efforts and humanity: so are Aldo and Milena, now joined by their energetic children Giuseppe, Francesca and Isidoro, and by an amazing team of young professionals, in their quest for an authentic expression of their land into the wines.
G.D. Vajra is an independent winery, entirely family-owned.