Luigi Baudana Barolo ‘Baudana’ 2019

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

Baudana is a hidden gem among the historical vineyards of Serralunga. Once celebrated, then forgotten, today it is regaining the prestige of its past.

VARIETIES AND VINES

Baudana vineyards encompass 50 years old vines of Nebbiolo located 350 meters above the sea. Baudana is located on the west slope of Serralunga and belongs to a fine cluster of vineyards among Lazzarito, Parafada, Rionda, Falletto and Francia. The soil is a composition of Marne di Sant’Agata mixed with Formazioni di Lequio. It’s white on the surface and distinctively blue underneath.

HARVEST AND WINEMAKING

Baudana enjoys amazing soil conditions, thanks to a higher water retention. Harvest usually takes place on the third week of October. Fermentation starts quite fast and runs smoothly for approximately 30 days, followed by another 10 days of maceration. One Slavonian cask is used to ferment most of the grapes, with some stainless-steel vessels used as a backup. Punch-downs and gentle pump-overs are the only operations over the time of maceration. The wine is wracked into oak after malolactic fermentation and spends an average of 32+ months in large Slavonian oak casks.

These Nebbiolo vineyards are located in Serralunga with slightly varying soil compositions. An average altitude of 340m and vines aged between 20 and 30 years complete the identity of this wine. The harvest takes place in the second half of October, enjoying till the last moment the rich nourishment the soil offers. The grapes are sorted by hand. Fermentation usually lasts 25 days before the wine is moved into large casks for ageing. – Giuseppe Vaira

We had the great fortune to spend an afternoon with Guiseppe this year. His passion, and, his families passion, thoughtful, and, humble approach to their work is inspiring.

Listen to 🎧Giusseppe explore the history of Barolo, the estate, and, the wines.

About Luigi Baudana

Luigi Baudana is one of the smallest active wineries in Serralunga d’Alba and the entire Barolo region. With only 2,6 hectares (6.4 acres) farmed in some of the prime crus of the village, this can rightly be considered a true garagiste producer.

After 30 years running the winery, and without heirs to take over the business, Luigi and Fiorina Baudana took the difficult decision to sell. Because of the location of the vineyards, in the heart of the ‘golden mile’ of Barolo, Luigi and Fiorina were offered some eye-watering sums of money. They were concerned, however, that the name and estate should continue as is, rather than be absorbed into a larger entity.

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. We have tasted the wines every year and watched them improve. The depth of flavour and intensity that comes from the vineyards has remained, but the Vajra touch in the cellar has brought them to a new level.

It was 2009 when Luigi Baudana entrusted the Vaira family with his historical vines in Serralunga d’Alba. For the Vairas, it was a dream come true; Aldo had always loved Barolo from the Helvetian soils of the area, and felt honoured to have the chance to better understand and work this land. With their love of a challenge, the Vaira family jumped at the chance to start a new adventure. Cerretta and Baudana rival the very best single-cru Barolo of the region. The range also features a Barolo that flies the flag for the Serralunga commune.

Luigi and Fiorina

For over 30 years, Luigi and his wife Fiorina carried on the family’s heritage in Serralunga d’Alba.
They cared for their vineyards with the same tenderness of their own love.

Baudana’s Vineyards

The 2019 Vintage at Baudana

These are some of the most impressive wines I have tasted from Luigi Baudana, the Serralunga estate the Vajra family has managed since 2009. The wines are made at the Baudana winery in Serralunga, and then raised in the Vajra family’s large facility in Barolo. All three Barolos are exceptional, from the village wine to the two crus. The Baudana Barolo is the more fruit-forward of the two single-vineyard Barolos, while the Cerretta is slightly darker and more muscular.

“It was a year with an early bud break but with late flowering and a late harvest; in other words, a year with a long growing season, one of the longest of the last decade.” Giuseppe Vajra explained. “We had challenges with heavy rain in spring, but 2018 helped us understand we had to act quickly and decisively, so we did,” he added. Harvest took place between October 11 and 18. “The wines extracted easily,” Aldo Vajra opined. “We gave the 2019s 28 days on the skins, less than 2018 and 2017 and far less than years like 2010, with submerged cap maceration. Time in wood was about 21 months for the vineyard designates.”

Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Where in the World is Baudana?

The Commune of Serralunga runs in a strip along the eastern side of the region. The vineyards of Baudana & Cerretta are in the top half the Commune.