Olek Bondonio has become one of the most sought-after names in Barbaresco.

Olek grew up in the family’s farmhouse, ‘La Berchialla’, which sits amongst Barbaresco’s most famous crus and has been in his family for several centuries. After conquering Italy as a professional snowboarder, he turned his mind to wine, working in the Langhe and also abroad before returning home to look after the family’s vineyards.

Olek is lucky enough to tend some of the very best sites in Piedmont and does everything he can to make sure each wine speaks of this wonderful place. Today he farms close to seven hectares of vines with a focus on Nebbiolo, split up between Barbaresco’s Roncagliette and Starderi crus as well as parcels in Altavilla, Neive, and Catagnole delle Lanze, a famous vineyard high in the hills above Alba. Most recently, he has rented a small parcel of old vines in Verduno, from which he will produce his first Barolo, ‘San Lorenzo’.

In the vines, Olek farms organically and with a real hands-on approach, whilst in the cantina he works without fuss, exhibiting a patience beyond his years. The results are pure, deep and decidedly old-school expressions of Piedmont’s local grapes.