Olek Bondonio

The first time we tasted with Olek Bondonio at his ancient familial farmhouse nestled amongst Barbaresco’s legendary vineyards, he talked as excitedly about the day he’d just spent surfing on the Ligurian coast as he did about his wonderful wines. Given that bit of information, it’s strange to think that this utterly free-spirited, ex-snowboard champion is considered one of this storied region’s brightest lights and maker of some of its most cult wines. Olek works the plots inherited from his family by hand, the same way his family have done for two centuries, to make wines that marry classicism with an effortless, new-school charm.