G. D. Vajra

G. D. Vajra Barolo Albe DOCG 2018

$62.00

A classic Barolo from Vajra’s high-altitude vineyards: structured yet approachable, with red fruit, floral elegance, and mineral depth. Organic practices and Slavonian oak aging highlight Nebbiolo’s balance of power and finesse.

Sustainable Handmade Low-sulfites Low-intervention
Description

G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe DOCG is a 100% Nebbiolo wine from Piedmont’s Barolo DOCG region, sourced from organically farmed vineyards in the communes of Barolo, Novello, and Sinio. The grapes thrive on calcareous marl and sandy soils, characteristic of the Langhe hills, where the alpine climate and fog ("nebbia") contribute to Nebbiolo’s late ripening and aromatic complexity. Fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged for 24–30 months in large Slavonian oak casks, this wine balances traditional winemaking with Vajra’s commitment to purity, showcasing Nebbiolo’s quintessential structure and terroir expression without heavy oak influence.

Tasting notes

Aromas of ripe raspberry, cherry, and fresh roses meld with hints of spice, mint, and earthy tar. The palate is taut yet harmonious, offering layers of red fruit, slate-like minerality, and silky tannins, culminating in a long, vibrant finish underscored by floral and herbal complexity.

Food pairings

Pair with brasato al Barolo (Piedmont’s traditional braised beef in Barolo wine sauce), roasted game, or aged cheeses like Castelmagno.

Wine Details

Dry/Sweet:, Dry
Wine Type:, Red
Wine Style:, Full Body
Grapes:, Nebbiolo
Farming:, Organic
Vintage:, 2018
Alcohol:, 14%
Country:, Italy
Region:, Piedmont
Appellation:, Barolo DOCG
Bottle Size:, 750ml
Sugar Level:, Low Sugar, Zero Added Sugar

These information are correct to the best of our knowledge. We talk to natural wine producers, importers, and distributors on a regular basis; should you notice discrepancies, please let us know and we will fix them right away.

We will process and ship your order in 2-3 business days, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking as soon as the Carrier scans the shipping label.

Ground shipping time depends on location, here's a breakdown:

West Coast: 1-2 business days
Midwest: 3-4 business days
East Coast: 5 business days

Process time is not shipping time. Shipping time starts from the days successive to the day of shipping, after the order has been processed.

See here our shipping policy.


Important Compliance Requirements

FedEx and other carriers we might occasionally use can only deliver wine to customers who are 21 years or older. Someone must be at the address to receive the package, carriers don't just drop a package and leave. They must ensure the person receiving the wine is 21 or older.


Re-shipping a Package

If a package gets returned to us after three failed delivery attempts, we can only re-ship the wine upon payment of a re-shipping fee to be determined based on shipping address and number of bottles. Shipping wine is extremely expensive, we are sorry about this, but we have no other choice. Please make sure there's always someone at the address you enter as your shipping address.

If you'd like to receive a refund for a package that was returned to us after FedEx made three delivery attempts, we can do that but we must keep a $20 refund fee; FedEx charges us a lot of money for returns, unfortunately, I can't stress this enough.


Re-routing a Package

If you'd like to re-route a package after it's been shipped, we can do so upon payment of a $20 re-routing fee. We cannot re-route a package across state borders. For any change of address, please contact us as soon as possible, ideally within 1-2 days from placing the order or we cannot guarantee we'll be able to reroute or change your order's shipping address.


Canceling an Order

If you'd like to cancel an order after it's been shipped, we can do so upon payment of a small cancelling fee – the amount depends on how big the order is. Carriers charge us a lot of money to recall a package en-route.


Heat/Frost damage

We are not responsible for heat/frost-related issues. for heat we offer ice-packs upon request. please let us know should you think that there could be heat-related issues. again, if we don't hear anything from you regarding weather issues, or if you don't request a hold due to the weather, we are not responsible for heat/frost damage.


Placed an order. What next?

1. You will receive an order confirmation email with your order summary.*

2. As soon as your order ships from the warehouse, usually within 2-3 business days, this applies to all shipping rates, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with your tracking information.

3. Please track your package using the tracking service.

4. The carrier will attempt delivery a maximum of 3 times. After 3 delivery attempts, your package will be sent back to our warehouse.**

*Please ensure your email address is correct, otherwise, you will not receive the order and shipping confirmation emails.

**If delivery is attempted 3 times with no success or if you fail to retrieve your package at the carrier depot by the stated deadline, the shipping fee will not be refunded to the customer.

Returns Policy

If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact us at (424) 414-2040 or via e-mail at hello@primalwine.com between 9 am and 5 pm Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Sunday, we would like to understand and try to solve your concerns. We can offer refunds only as store credit.

Producer profile

G. D. Vajra

The G.D. Vajra estate, nestled in Vergne, the highest village of the Barolo Commune, is a remarkable site for natural wine production. The vineyards, perched at an altitude of 350-400 meters, are home to Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, and Barbera grapes. This high elevation contributes to the creation of distinctive and aromatic wines, a hallmark of the Vajra family's dedication to viticulture.

The Vajra family, known for their passion and expertise in winemaking, are also deeply attuned to the human aspect of the craft. They remain steadfast in their commitment to producing traditional and authentic Piemonte wines. The family views themselves as mere instruments, allowing nature and the environment to fully express themselves through their wines. This philosophy resonates with the essence of natural wine production, where minimal human intervention and a deep respect for the land are central.

In 1971, Aldo Vajra, then a university student, pioneered organic farming in Piemonte. For nearly five decades, the vineyards have been lovingly maintained, with soil preservation achieved through grassing and spontaneous cover crops. The Vajra estate proudly holds sustainable and organic certifications, further cementing its dedication to natural winemaking practices.

At Vajra, winemaking is not just a process but a labor of love, devoid of any fixed recipes. The estate emphasizes an incredible ratio of manual labor per hectare, ensuring meticulous care and attention to detail. Beyond the vineyards, Vajra is committed to enhancing biodiversity. This commitment extends to the flora and fauna in their vineyards, fields, and forests, underlining a holistic approach to natural wine production that respects and nurtures the entire ecosystem.

Wine region

Piedmont, Italy

Piedmont, or Piemonte as it's known in Italian, is often hailed as the "Burgundy of Italy" by wine enthusiasts. This esteemed wine-producing region sits in Italy's northwestern corner, nestled at the base of the mountains. Surrounded by France to the west, Valle d'Aosta northwest, Lombardy east, and Liguria south, Piedmont is also home to Turin, its capital and largest city.

A standout feature of Piedmont, much like Veneto, is its rich tapestry of indigenous grape varieties. These varietals create a diverse range of unique and exceptional wines. A key aspect of Piedmont's traditional winemaking is the practice of using single grape varieties, and avoiding blends, which highlights the region's dedication to showcasing individual grape characteristics.

Piedmont's comparison to Burgundy stems from several crucial factors. Firstly, there's a strong emphasis on quality over quantity, with many wineries being small, family-owned, and harmoniously integrated with their natural surroundings. This focus aligns perfectly with the principles of natural wine production.

Secondly, the region adopts a terroir-driven approach to viticulture and winemaking. Vineyards are meticulously divided into cru (or zonazione in Italian), each producing wines with distinct and specific characteristics.

Lastly, the renowned Nebbiolo grape, a staple of Piedmont and globally celebrated, is treated similarly to Burgundy's Pinot Noir. Notably, Nebbiolo wines are never blended.

Frequently asked question

We will process and ship your order in 2-3 business days, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking as soon as the Carrier scans the shipping label.

Ground shipping time depends on location, here's a breakdown:

West Coast: 1-2 business days
Midwest: 3-4 business days
East Coast: 5 business days

Process time is not shipping time. Shipping time starts from the days successive to the day of shipping, after the order has been processed.

See here our shipping policy.

Signature on delivery is mandatory for wine deliveries. Please make sure someone is at the shipping address to sign for the package.

If applicable, please consider delivering the package to a business address to ensure someone is available to sign for the package.

We also have the option of delivering the package to a Carrier's store for pickup. Please reach out to us to coordinate.

Carrier will try to delivery a package up to three times before returning the package to us.

See here our shipping policy.

If you miss a delivery and a package gets returned to us we have two options:

1) Reship the package right away: due to the very high cost of shipping and returns, we must charge a re-shipping fee to be determined based on package size and shipping destination.

2) Consolidate the returned package with your next order: this option is free of charge and it's the most popular option.

See here our shipping policy.

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What is natural wine?

Natural wine is a type of wine made in small batches from organic or biodynamic grapes with minimal intervention.
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What is Biodynamics?

Biodynamic wine is wine made from grapes farmed biodynamically. Biodynamic farming is a holistic approach.
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What is organic wine?

Organic wine is made with grapes farmed organically. Organic farming is a type of farming alternative to conventional farming.
What is vegan wine?

What is vegan wine?

Vegan wine is wine made without using animal products during the fining phase of the clarification process.