About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The white varieties grow side by side in high-altitude Langhe sites and are harvested and vinified together as a field blend. The vineyards lie between 380 and 610 m on ancient soils composed mainly of Serravallian limestone and Diano Sandstones of Tortonian origin. Bright, ventilated exposures help preserve freshness and aromatic definition.
The vineyards follow an organic approach, with biodiversity work extending to the estate’s fields and forests. The estate is certified organic and sustainable.
Grapes
A field blend led by Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Nascetta and Rhine Riesling. Originally created as a Chardonnay–Sauvignon blend in the mid-1990s, Dragon gradually gained Nascetta and a touch of Rhine Riesling.
Vinification
The 2024 harvest began on 3 September and concluded about 18 days later. Whole clusters underwent gentle pressing with minimal skin contact. Fermentation proceeded slowly at low temperatures, and malolactic fermentation was prevented.
Ageing
The 2024 Dragon remained on fine lees through the winter with minimal bâtonnage. It was bottled on 25 February 2025.
Technical data
The wine is packaged in 750 ml bottles with a Stelvin closure.
Tasting profile
The 2024 has a brilliant pale-yellow colour. Acacia and hawthorn blossom mingle with freshly baked bread, tropical fruit, mint and crushed stone on the nose. The palate is savoury, vibrant and flavourful, with a long, persistent finish. With air it develops lime pie, apricot, green apple, flint, white flowers and pronounced minerality.
Vintage notes
The 2024 growing season produced fresh aromatics, moderate alcohol and approachable wines. Winter and mountain snowfall arrived late; budbreak was recorded on 11 March and frost threatened a month afterward. Abundant rain from May created persistent fungal pressure and demanded intensive vineyard work. Later warmth and an early-August hailstorm affected the western slopes between La Morra and Novello. The wider harvest ran from 30 August to 24 October amid repeated rain. It was one of the most demanding seasons since 1972, and yields were reduced.
Label / history
Luigi and Fiorina Baudana first made Dragon in the mid-1990s as a Chardonnay–Sauvignon blend. The dragon label was the final work of local artist and family friend Gianni Gallo. Its image evokes the human resolve to face and overcome adversity and served as his wish for the Vaira family’s new chapter.
