Olek Bondonio La Mosca Ubriaca (The Drunk Fly) 2024

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

Not your typical Italian winemaker. He loves surfing, snowboarding and has a penchant bordering on the obsessive for Vegemite. Olek grew up in the family’s farmhouse, ‘La Berchialla’, which has been in his family for over 200 years and sits amongst Barbaresco’s most famous areas. 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.

His vines are split up between Roncagliette and Starderi in Barbaresco as well as parcels in Altavilla, Neive and Catagnole delle Lanze and a famous vineyard high in the hills above Alba. Most recently, he rented a small parcel of old vines in Verduno, from which he will produce his first Barolo, ‘San Lorenzo’.

Olek works organically with a real hands on approach, whilst in the cellar he exhibits a patience beyond his years. His wines are precise, pure and deep with a character inspired by old school expressions of Piedmont’s local grapes.