From his family’s ancestral home in Piedmont, La Berchialla, Olek Bondonio masterfully bridges the divide between traditional Piemontese winemaking and the contemporary natural wine movement, and crafts wines that are among the most refined exciting of the region.
Following a career in snowboarding, Olek returned to his roots in Barbaresco and assumed leadership of the family estate in the early 2000s. His deeply personal and hands-on approach to winemaking is reflected in the organically and biodynamically managed vineyards he oversees. Situated in the Alta Langa area, an environment known for its unique microclimate and nutrient-rich, marly soils,, Olek cultivates nearly seven hectares of vines across some of Piedmont’s most esteemed parcels, including crus Starderi and Roncagliette. The latter vineyard, a steep, southwest-facing amphitheater of vines, gained prominence through the efforts of his neighbor, Angela Gaja, who produces Sori Tilden and Costa Russie from this location. Recently, Olek expanded his vinicultural endeavors to include a small parcel of old vines in Verduno, from which he plans to produce his inaugural Barolo, San Lorenzo.
In his La Bercialla cellar, Olek utilizes a traditional basket press and embraces natural winemaking methods, including spontaneous fermentations in concrete vats, extended skin macerations lasting up to two months, and prolonged aging in Slavonian oak botti grande. A staunch advocate of non-interventionist techniques, he ensures that his wines are bottled without fining or filtration and with minimal sulfur addition.
