Storia
Family roots
Olek Bondonio was born and raised in Turin, to a father from Turin and a Polish mother. He spent his summers on his grandfather's farm in Barbaresco. His ancestors lived in the Barbaresco area for centuries and played an important part in shaping the region. In 1894 his great-great-great-grandfather, Guglielmo Como, became one of the founders of Barbaresco Cantina Sociale, now better known as Produttori del Barbaresco.
Sport and training
After a successful snowboarding career, Olek followed the advice of his mother and grandmother, returned to live in his home village and studied oenology in Turin. He divided his time between harvests in the Langhe and work at wineries abroad, including Bordeaux, Australia, New Zealand and the USA. He kept up surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding, and took part in the Olympic Games.
Founding of the farm
In 1999 he was able to rent his grandfather's farmhouse again and received from his father 2 of the estate's 6 ha, which had been divided among the heirs. These vineyards had previously been managed by Barbaresco producers and Gaja. Olek established his farm at Cascina La Berchialla, which had belonged to his family for more than 200 years. The first vintage was harvested in 2005.
Today
Besides his 2 ha in Barbaresco, Olek rents another 2 ha between the communes of Neive and Alba, where his family labels are made. He also plants Pelaverga and Grignolino, following the traditions of his ancestors.
Terroir
The farm is at Cascina La Berchialla in Barbaresco, in the Langhe. Olek's 2 ha in Barbaresco include the "Le Roncagliette" cru. A further 2 ha are rented between the communes of Neive and Alba.
Vinificazione
No chemicals are used in the vineyard and yields are kept very low. Cascina La Berchialla is certified organic, and Olek also follows biodynamic practices. He plants Pelaverga and Grignolino, following the traditions of his ancestors.
Fermentation starts spontaneously and the wines are bottled without filtration. Olek makes wines he describes as precise, honest and supple, with a more austere character for Nebbiolo. From the start the aim was wines closely tied to Langhe traditions, drawing on experience gained abroad.
Filosofia
Olek set out to make wines closely connected to Langhe traditions while drawing on experience gained abroad. He aims for wines that are precise, honest and supple, more austere in the case of Nebbiolo, and follows his ancestors' traditions by planting Pelaverga and Grignolino.
Vini
Barbaresco Roncagliette DOCG
Barbaresco Starderi DOCG
