Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
Albe is assembled from three high-elevation Barolo vineyards: Fossati, La Volta and Coste di Vergne. The sites lie between 380 and 480 metres above sea level, with exposures ranging from south-southeast to southwest. Their differing orientations allow the morning sun to reach the vineyards at three distinct moments—the three albe, or sunrises, behind the wine’s name.
Aldo Vaira adopted organic farming in 1971. Spontaneous ground cover has protected these vineyards for around 50 years, encouraging subsoil aeration and helping limit erosion. Vineyard work relies heavily on manual labour, while recent efforts have also focused on monitoring and enriching the biodiversity of the estate’s vineyards, fields and woods. The estate vineyards are certified organic and sustainable.
Grapes
100% Nebbiolo.
Vinification
The 2022 grapes were harvested between 23 September and 12 October. Selection took place by hand at three stages: bunch selection during picking, whole-cluster sorting on tables, and berry-by-berry selection after destemming.
Vinification took place in truncated-conical vats, using gentle punch-downs and pump-overs. Maceration lasted approximately 36 days with a partially submerged cap. Malolactic fermentation followed in stainless steel during the next spring.
Ageing
The wine matured for 22 months in large Slavonian oak casks of 40, 50 and 75 hL. Bottling took place from 16 to 20 June 2025.
Technical data
Available formats are 0.375 L, 0.75 L, 1.5 L and 3 L.
Tasting profile
The 2022 is bright garnet red. Rose petals, candied cherry and sour cherry lead the aroma, followed by cedarwood, juniper berries and wildflowers. Subtle marine-breeze and woodland-floor nuances are lifted by fresh notes of lemon blossom and blood orange.
The palate is lively, with mountain strawberries and fresh red fruit. Fine, elegant tannins frame a long, persistent and mineral finish.
Vintage notes
The 2022 growing season began dry and warm during the day. Snow and mountain rain partly replenished water reserves in March, and budbreak began on 25 March. Light rains followed over the next two months, together with violent hailstorms that spared these vineyards. After progressive flowering, hot weather settled in at the beginning of June and continued throughout summer. Cooler temperatures toward the end of the season created favourable conditions for Nebbiolo harvest. Across the estate, harvest ran from 16 August to 14 October. Yields were low, while the resulting wines showed vibrancy, juiciness and strong aromatic intensity.
Label / history
Albe is a tribute to Barolo tradition and its masters, expressing the traditional practice of blending vineyards. Its name refers to the three sunrises experienced across the three differently exposed sites. The idea is encapsulated by Milena Vaira’s image of sunrise as nature’s daily awakening.
