G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco Delle Viole 2022

Among Barolo’s historic vineyards, Bricco delle Viole occupies a singular position. The highest cru in the village and closest to the Alps, it stretches from 400 to 480 metres above sea level along the western ridge of Barolo. Its name, “Hill of Violets,” recalls the wildflowers that emerge early each spring across its perfectly south-facing slopes. Sitting above the fog line, the vineyard receives the first morning light and retains the warmth of the evening sun, while cool Alpine breezes moderate the long growing season. Vines planted in 1931, 1949 and 1968 root deeply into pale soils rich in limestone, magnesium, and manganese, yielding wines defined by aromatic clarity, structure, and lift.

As Aldo Vaira observed, “Bricco delle Viole is the vineyard that taught us patience and naturally guided the style of our craft.” That philosophy shapes every stage of the wine’s élevage. In 2022, harvest took place between 5 and 12 October, among the latest across the estate. Following triple manual sorting, fermentation occurred in custom vertical tini with gentle extraction and 49 days of extended submerged-cap maceration. Spontaneous malolactic conversion followed the next spring before maturation for 22 months in large Slavonian oak casks of 25 and 50 hectolitres, with bottling completed in May 2025.

The result is a Barolo of remarkable composure and longevity: deeply perfumed, finely structured, and shaped by altitude, patience, and place with exceptional precision.