Galarej
⏳ Drinking Window
2025 - 2040
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-cooked beef braised in Barolo, rich truffle-infused pasta, and aged cheeses such as Castelmagno.
✨ Technical Specifications
Fontanafredda's Galarej Barolo is steeped in the romantic history of the Langhe. The estate itself was founded in 1858 by Vittorio Emanuele II, the first King of Italy, as a gift for his beloved mistress, Rosa Vercellana, affectionately known as 'La Bela Rosin.' This noble red wine is crafted from 100% Nebbiolo grapes grown in the clay and limestone-rich soils of the Barolo DOCG zone. Fermented in stainless steel and aged traditionally in large Slavonian oak casks, Galarej expresses the classic, austere elegance of the region. It showcases deep aromas of withered roses, dark cherries, tobacco, and leather, underpinned by the firm, structured tannins and vibrant acidity that define world-class Nebbiolo.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1858 by Vittorio Emanuele II, the first King of unified Italy, as an estate for his mistress Rosa Vercellana, Fontanafredda evolved into a foundational pillar of Piedmontese viticulture under their son, Count Emanuele Alberto di Mirafiore. The historic estate encompasses 120 hectares of certified organic vineyards centered in Serralunga d'Alba, an area distinguished by compact Helvetian limestone-marl soils and elevated south- and southwest-facing slopes between 200 and 400 meters. Acquired in 2008 by Oscar Farinetti and Luca Baffigo, the property underwent a viticultural renaissance, securing full organic certification with the 2018 harvest. In the nineteenth-century cellars, winemaking merges technical precision with classical Piedmontese restraint, relying on long macerations, stainless steel vinification for fragrant whites, and maturation in neutral Slavonian oak botti for its noble reds. Iconic bottlings include the cru Barolo Vigna La Rosa, Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d'Alba, Roero Arneis Pradalupo, and the pioneering Alta Langa Metodo Classico sparkling wines.
🍇 Grapes
100% Nebbiolo