In just a short period of time, Olek Bondonio has become one of the most sought after names in Piedmont.
Olek grew up in the family’s farmhouse La Berchialla, which sits right at the top of Barbaresco’s most famous cru, Roncagliette and over the last few years has garnered a reputation for producing old fashioned, soulful wines that are amongst the very best in the region.
Complex and savoury, Piedmont’s native varieties make so much sense in autumn, especially alongside the kind of ingredients you find at the market this time of year.
The following wines are now live on Tutto a Casa
OLEK BONDONIO Dolcetto d’Alba 2019
This Dolcetto comes from vines up to forty year old planted in his Altavilla vineyard, high in the hills above the city of Alba. This spent a fortnight on skins, before being pressed off to stainless steel for a year of rest. The age of the plants, clay soils and southern exposition have produced a Dolcetto of unusual concentration and complexity, with black fruits and a pleasant earthiness at the fore. As usual we have just a few cases of this, so you best be quick.
OLEK BONDONIO Barbera d’Alba 2019
This is Barbera from forty year old vines planted in his Altavilla vineyard, high in the hills above the city of Alba. It spent eighteen days on the skins, before being pressed off to botti for a short élevage. This is a Barbera of rare balance and complexity, with delicate aromas of brambly fruit and a beautiful lightness on the palate thanks to that hallmark acidity for which the grape is so well known.
OLEK BONDONIO Langhe Rosso Giulietta 2019
Pelaverga is Piedmont’s answer to Pineau d’Aunis, a light, bright and fragrant variety with plenty of charm. The majority of the fruit here comes from Olek’s Roncagliette vineyard in Barbaresco which is blessed with a southern exposure and firm clay-limestone soils. This spends a couple of weeks on skins, before being pressed off to tank to rest for a year. It has the characteristic flavours of strawberries and spice but thanks to this great site, comes with some fine little tannins to boot.
OLEK BONDONIO Barbaresco Starderi 2017
This Nebbiolo comes from forty year old vines planted in the Starderi cru that Olek is lucky enough to rent from an elderly couple who can no longer tend its steep slopes. This spent two months on skins before being pressed off to old botti for a couple of years.The soils here are a little softer and the site a little less exposed than elsewhere in the region and as a result this is already incredibly expressive with a beautiful acidity and even tannins suggesting it has a long life ahead.
OLEK BONDONIO Barbaresco Roncagliette 2017
Nebbiolo made from grapes grown in Olek’s front yard, a small parcel his family planted around fifty years ago in one of Barbaresco’s most famous crus, Roncagliette. The site is exposed full south and its firm clay-limestone soils lend the Nebbiolo from here power and finesse. It was macerated on the skins for two months before being pressed off to old botti for a couple of years. A wine of incredible complexity, power and poise where every little thing seems to be in place.