Our Visit to Olek Bondonio, November 17, 2025

Date of visit: November 17, 2025

Olek Bondonio an award-winning champion snowboarder, who also shares a passion for surfing and skateboarding. In fact, he has a small indoor skatepark just below the fermentation tanks and next to his cellar. Not something that you see everyday when visiting a wine producer!

In addition to producing some of our favorite Barbaresco wines, and of course the classics of Langhe (Barbera and Langhe Nebbiolo), Olek produces an outstanding Pelaverga labeled “Rosso Giulietta” grown in Barbaresco in the Roncagliette vineyard, rather than in Verduno like most Pelaverga.  

If you enjoy the wines of Langhe, this is definitely a producer worth seeking out. 

Below are our tastings notes. 

Tasting notes:

2024 Langhe Rosso: 100% Barbera made from younger vines. Leather, forest floor, crushed small dark berries, and wet leaves on the nose. The palate delivers flavors of pomegranates, and small crushed red and dark berries, alongside fresh acidity and a persistent finish.

2024 Barbera d’Alba: Made from 100% Barbera from 40-45 year-old vines in Altavilla and aged for 10 months in large wooden casks. Aromas of tar and licorice. The palate is significantly more structured and serious compared to the Langhe Rosso. Flavors of crushed red berries, leather, and rose petals. Excellent balance, fresh acidity, and fine tannins which immediately grip the palate. 

2024 Langhe Nebbiolo: 2024 was a challenging vintage across Langhe. As a result, Olek made the decision to declassify 100% of Nebbiolo from both his vineyard sites (Starderi and Roncagliette) and put 100% of that fruit into his Langhe Nebbiolo. Aged for 10 months in large wooden casks and bottled in September. The nose is very fresh and inviting with notes of pine and fresh pepper. The palate is very fresh and light with an immediate gentle tannic grip, which pleasantly lingers on. Persistent finish. 

2022 Barbaresco Roncagliette: Bottled September 2024. Pronounced and immediate aromas of anise and licorice followed by nuances of cotton candy, and with some additional time in the glass notes of tar, roses, and crushed cherries slowly unfold. The nose is a deeply captivating complex kaleidoscope of aromas making it almost impossible to put the glass down. The palate is incredibly juicy and fresh, and displays gorgeous purity of fruit, delivering flavors of fresh crushed cherries, anise, and licorice, alongside vibrant, energetic acidity and impeccable balance. An absolutely incredible Barabaresco.

Thank You

Grazie mille Marta and Olek for the incredible visit and for sharing your wines with us. We hope to see you again very soon!