Luigi Baudana

In the hamlet of Baudana, situated north of Serralunga d’Alba in the Langhe, Luigi Baudana runs one of the most welcoming wineries in the entire Barolo region. The surname ‘Baudana’ refers simultaneously to the family, the village and a historic cru, a coincidence that Luigi himself has never been able to fully explain.

History

Luigi Baudana grew up as a blacksmith, and he still practises this craft to this day. In the late 1970s, encouraged by his wife Fiorina, he stopped selling the family’s grapes to merchants and began producing his own wine. For decades, the cellar was literally located beneath the vaults of his home.

The first bottled vintage of Barolo was released in 1996. Having no heirs to carry on the business, Luigi and Fiorina began looking for a suitable family to take over the management. Luigi visited G.D. Vajra in Barolo incognito and was so impressed that he rang Aldo Vajra directly to propose a deal. In January 2009, the Vajra family, specifically Aldo’s children, Giuseppe, Francesca and Isidoro, became the owners, retaining the name Luigi Baudana on the labels and fully preserving the estate’s character.

Vineyards, terroir and grape varieties

The estate cultivates around 3 hectares in the Baudana and Cerretta crus, both located in the municipality of Serralunga d’Alba. The Baudana vineyard is situated on a west-facing slope at an altitude of 250 to 350 metres, with a south-south-west aspect. Cerretta is situated on the eastern slopes of Serralunga.

The soils consist of dense, calcareous Helvetian marl, typical of Serralunga, which lend the wines structure and longevity. All wines are made from 100% Nebbiolo.

Winemaking and wines

The approach remains true to the roots of garage winemaking, with a production volume of around 12,000 bottles per year.

The range comprises three wines: Barolo Baudana, from the estate’s eponymous cru; Barolo Cerretta, from one of Serralunga’s most historic vineyards; and Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba, first released from the 2005 vintage, a blend from young vines in Baudana, Cerretta and the Costabella plot.