Luigi Baudana Dragon Langhe Bianco 2024

Region and Vineyards

Luigi Baudana's Langhe Bianco Dragon is born from high-elevation vineyards in the Langhe, nestled between 380 and 610 meters above sea level. These sites enjoy luminous exposure and excellent ventilation, fostering vibrant acidity and aromatic precision. The soils are mainly composed of ancient Serravallian limestone and Diano sandstone, combining structural tension with a mineral backbone.

The Vajra family has stewarded these vineyards under organic and sustainable practices since 2009, upholding a tradition of care begun by Luigi and Fiorina Baudana. An emblematic story recounts how, after a violent hailstorm in 2008, they hand-cleaned every bunch to ensure that damaged berries would not affect the crop. Today, the estate remains committed to preserving biodiversity across the vines, hedgerows, and surrounding forests.

Winemaking

Dragon 2024 is an original, non-traditional blend led by Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Nascetta, and Rhine Riesling. Each variety is selected for its freshness, aromatic complexity, and capacity to reflect the site's high-altitude character. The harvest began on September 3rd, 2024, and concluded roughly 18 days later, amidst significant vineyard challenges brought on by one of the most demanding vintages since 1972.

Grapes were gently pressed as whole clusters, with minimal skin contact to retain finesse. Fermentation was long and cool, ensuring delicate extraction of aroma and flavor. No malolactic fermentation was carried out, preserving natural acidity. The wine aged on its fine lees with restrained bâtonnage and was bottled on February 25th, 2025.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Bright pale yellow with crystalline clarity.
• Aroma: Freshly blossomed acacia and hawthorn, layered with lime pie, tropical fruit, apricot, green apple, crushed mint, and a touch of warm bread over flinty minerality.
• Palate: Zesty, saline, and energetic. The mouthfeel is savory and expressive, with an evolving bouquet of white flowers, citrus, stone fruits, and a distinctly mineral finish that lingers with poise.

Did you know?

Dragon's label was illustrated by Gianni Gallo, one of Piedmont's most beloved artists. It depicts the human spirit's determination to face and conquer adversity — a message fittingly mirrored in the 2024 vintage, where organic viticulture was maintained through extreme weather and fungal pressure.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Seared scallops with lemon beurre blanc: A sublime match for the wine's minerality and citrus profile.
• Herbed goat cheese crostini: Balances the wine's acidity with creamy tang and herbal lift.
• Risotto with zucchini and mint: Highlights the wine's green freshness and delicate florals.
• Thai green curry with seafood: Complements the tropical nuances and crisp backbone.

History of Luigi Baudana

The estate of Luigi Baudana is deeply rooted in the village of Serralunga d'Alba, one of Barolo's most storied communes. For decades, Luigi and Fiorina Baudana cultivated their vines with extraordinary devotion, guided by intuition and deep connection to the land. Until the early 2000s, the domaine remained a well-kept secret known primarily among Barolo connoisseurs for its soulful, uncompromising Nebbiolos from two grand crus: Baudana and Cerretta.

In 2009, the Baudana family entrusted the future of their estate to the Vajra family, already acclaimed for their work in Vergne near Barolo village. Importantly, the transition maintained the estate's identity and independence while elevating its viticulture, winemaking precision, and international profile. Today, Luigi Baudana operates as a distinct label under the Vajra umbrella, combining traditional Serralunga intensity with the Vajras' refined, detail-driven approach.

The winery, which shares its name with its historic MGA (Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva), is a rare example of a small Barolo estate that has maintained its soul while benefiting from modern organic practices and global recognition.

Region and Vineyards

Luigi Baudana's holdings are entirely within the commune of Serralunga d'Alba, a terroir renowned for its power, longevity, and limestone-dominated soils. The estate farms some of the finest parcels within the Baudana and Cerretta crus, each offering a unique expression of Serralunga's geological history.

The Baudana vineyard, situated on the western edge of the commune, features an unusual combination of Lequio sandstone and Tortonian marl, lending both structure and lift to the wines. In contrast, Cerretta is composed of pure Lequio formation, producing wines of greater austerity, stony minerality, and slow-developing depth.

All farming is conducted under certified organic and sustainable practices, with a strong focus on biodiversity, soil vitality, and ecological balance. Altitudes range between 380 and 450 meters, contributing to slower ripening and excellent acid retention, essential for the aging potential of Nebbiolo.

Wine Range of Luigi Baudana

The estate is focused and artisanal, producing a limited but precise range of wines. The flagship Barolos — Barolo Baudana and Barolo Cerretta — are vinified and aged separately to reflect their singular terroirs. They are known for their elegance, clarity of site expression, and remarkable aging capacity.

Additionally, Luigi Baudana produces Dragon Langhe Bianco, a high-altitude white blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Nascetta, and Rhine Riesling. First created in the 1990s by Luigi and Fiorina, this wine has become a signature expression of aromatic finesse and Alpine minerality.

Did you know?

Luigi Baudana is one of the very few producers in Barolo who shares his surname with an official MGA (cru). The origin of the Baudana name in the village predates the wine classification system, making it unclear whether the vineyard was named after the family — or vice versa. This poetic ambiguity adds to the mystique surrounding one of Serralunga's most singular domaines.