Rabaja is located at the junction of the two main ridges that form the Barbaresco village, where two different soil types collide; one is calcium poor and yet more fertile, the other is calcium rich. It is the meeting of these two soil types and the sites warmth due to its south/west exposure that results in the richness and complexity the wine is famous for.

We have just 12 bottles of this outstanding and long awaited Barbaresco from Rabaja, one of the great vineyards dedicated entirely to the Nebbiolo grape, a 3.7 hectare, south west facing slice of calcareous limestone land, with sandy veins.

Hand picked grapes are fermented at 30C, given 28 days of skin contact time and malolactic prior to aging for 36 months in large oak barrels followed by 12 months in bottle before release.

This wine can age for 20 years from the vintage.

The Rabaja vineyards owners are Antona, Arossa, Bianco, Casetta, Lembo, Lignana, Manzone, Vacca, and Vezza.

This highly respected winery cooperative was founded in 1958 and now has 51 members who collectively own approximately 100 hectares of the entire appellation, which means they own approximately a seventh of the appellation. The single vineyard wines, such as this one, are only made in highly rated vintages (all of the grapes go into a blend in other years) and released after four years maturation in the riserva programme.

All single vineyard cru wines from Produttori del Barbaresco are fermented at 30C and given 32 days of skin contact time before being pressed in large oak barrels for 36 months of maturation in wood followed by a further nine months aging in bottle, prior to release.