Tasting Notes
From a southeast-facing parcel in the Fossati cru of La Morra, planted on limestone and clay at around 450 m altitude, this Barolo offers lifted aromas of red cherry, rose petal and raspberry, layered with spice, licorice and a faint mineral edge. The palate is poised and finely structured, with juicy red fruit wrapped in firm yet elegant tannins and carried by bright acidity. A subtle savoury depth emerges with air, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish. This is a precise, graceful Barolo that captures the perfume and finesse of Fossati while showing the thoughtful, restrained style of the Vaira brothers. - Chris L
Vaira Aurelj is a boutique family winery in the hamlet of Vergne—lying between Barolo, La Morra and Narzole in Piedmont—founded by brothers Francesco and Giacomo Vaira in homage to their late father, Aurelio. The estate is small, totalling about 4.35 hectares, planted on limestone and clay soils at around 450 m elevation, with vines exposed to southeast and southwest aspects. Their vineyards lie partly within—and partly just outside—the Barolo appellation, allowing them to explore both classic and free-zone Nebbiolo styles.
The Vaira brothers oversee all vineyard work themselves, committed to sustainability and minimal chemical input: cover cropping, avoidance of pesticides, and limited use of copper and sulfur. In the cellar, fermentations are native, grapes are destemmed but not crushed (except for Controcorrente, which may include whole cluster), and the wines are aged in used barrels with minimal sulphur additions. Their cuvées include Controcorrente (from a rosé Nebbiolo clone), Fuori Zona (Nebbiolo from outside the Barolo zone) and Barolo Fossati, each expressing a different facet of their land.
Vaira Aurelj’s wines are defined by perfume, finesse and energy—eschewing overt weight for clarity and definition. They represent a new-generation Piedmont expression, balancing respect for tradition with a fresh, place-driven identity.
| Product Type | Wine Red Nebbiolo |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Piedmont |
| Sub Region | Barolo |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |