Luigi Baudana Barolo ‘Cerretta’ 2021

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

Cerretta is a dive into pure Formazione di Lequio. The wine is brooding yet austere, enriched with the balsamic tones of mint that are so typical of the village and of this cru. The 2015 vintage combines the expressive tannins with high red fruits tones complemented by a menthol and rosemary long finish. VARIETY: 100% Nebbiolo grapes.

VINEYARD AND TERROIR Cerretta

GROWING Luigi and Fiorina always tended their vines with the outmost care. One episode really illustrates their care. Summer of 2008, two days after a serious hailstorm that hit Serralunga: their vineyards showed no signs of damage because the couple had ‘cleaned’ every single bunch to make sure ruined berries wouldn’t affect the rest of the cluster. Since 2009, the vineyards have been farmed under the Vajra’s organic protocol. 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. The winery is sustainably certified (UNI EN 11233:2009) and will be again fully organic certified since 2019.

HARVEST AND WINEMAKING Fruit is usually picked in mid-October, with a delicate fermentation in open-top tini that runs approximately 20-30 days followed by cappello sommerso. Cerretta is famous for its extremely slow fermentation kinetic. Punch-downs and gentle pump-overs are the only operations over the time of maceration. Malolactic fermentation is spontaneous and usually happens in the following spring.

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

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.