OLEK BONDONIO CASCINA LA BERCHIALLA

The name Olek Bondonio rings in the ears of connoisseurs almost like a myth by now. Olek was born and grew up in Turin to a father from Turin and a mother from Poland, and spent his summers on his grandfather's farm in Barbaresco, amidst the scent of must and the rhythms of country life that were so dear to his heart. So, urged on by two very important figures in his life (his mother and grandmother), he decides to return to live in the country and undertake studies in oenology in Turin.

These were not easy years, Olek alternated between harvests in the Langa and work in wineries around the world, such as Bordeaux, Australia, New Zealand and the United States, where in addition to making wine he juggled surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding. In 1999, he had the opportunity to rent his grandfather's farmhouse again and received from his father two of the total six hectares of the estate, divided by the heirs, vineyards that were previously managed by the Barbaresco and Gaja Producers. With passion, curiosity and determination, Olek realised his dream and founded his farm in Cascina La Berchialla, with the first vintage in 2005. He immediately put into practice his idea of making wine with a style very much linked to the traditions of the Langa, albeit enriched by his studies and experience abroad.

No chemistry in the vineyard, very low yields, spontaneous fermentation and no filtration at bottling: he produces wines that are precise and sincere and soft, austere when it comes to Nebbiolo. In addition to this he plants Pelaverga and Grignolino in the tradition of his ancestors. Besides the two hectares in Barbaresco where he owns his Cru Le Roncagliette, he leases another two hectares between the commune of Neive and Alba where his generic labels come to life. But it is undoubtedly Barbaresco 'Le Roncagliette' that is his most important and representative wine.