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Piedmont's True Artisans

by Hugh French | Aug 27, 2025

The offer below is truly exceptional. Three standout producers from Piedmont of cult status: Cappellano, Giovanni Canonica, and Olek Bondonio. The wines of these artisan producers are seldom available in the retail market, and when they do surface, they are quickly snapped up and whisked away in the tightly held cellars of those in the know.

SHOP OLEK BONDONIO

Having grown up at his family's 200-year-old farmhouse, 'La Berchialla', located among the crus of Barbaresco, Olek Bondonio pursued a career as a professional snowboarder before shifting his focus to winemaking. Gaining experience in the Langhe and abroad before returning to 'La Berchialla' to manage the family's vineyards.

Olek farms nearly seven hectares across Barbaresco's Roncagliette and Starderi crus, as well as parcels in Altavilla, Neive and Catagnole delle Lanze. He practices organic viticulture with a hands-on approach and, in the winery, exhibits remarkable patience, resulting in pure, deep, and traditional expressions of Barbaresco.

2022 Barbaresco 'Starderi' DOCG

Usually $195

Now $179

91 Points

"Quite a lot of ripe strawberry and raspberry flavour here, a certain richness and juicy amplitude. There’s some mint, spice and almond paste, a dry grainy grip to tannin, quite fleshy and warm, though has no lack of flavour and character. A blonde tobacco savoury edge and shortbread richness. I like the rugged and spicy red fruit character, and while it’s a good wine, it does not have the tight and ‘mineral’ character of the best vintages from this producer. A bit of brick dust and sandstone closes out a warm, red fruited and Earl Grey tea finish of good length. It’s a bold one from a hot and dry vintage."

Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

2022 Barbaresco 'Roncagliette' DOCG

Usually $195

Now $179

94 Points

"It’s spicy and peppery, almost a smoky paprika thing, juicy dark cherry and raspberry, liquorice and almond paste, dried flowers, with just a smidge of lift in the pear drops department. It’s medium-bodied, as is the way mostly with this producer, fleshy and ripe in cherry and red fruits, raspberry in particular, again some curry spice is a theme, a coolness to acidity, something of a grainy chew to tannin, a little cranberry, with a sandstone tannin finish of excellent length. It’s a lovely wine. More loose-knit and elemental than in some years, but carries the signature of vineyard so well."

Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

SHOP OLEK BONDONIO

SHOP GIOVANNI CANONICA

Giovanni Canonica’s wines are hidden gems in the Barolo region, gaining cult status among wine lovers despite his modest approach. With about 6,000 bottles produced each vintage, they often sell out quickly, leading to overseas prices climbing up to three times those in the Australian market.

Giovanni began bottling wine from his family home about fifteen years ago, inspired by a Japanese importer who recognized the unique energy of his traditional Nebbiolo. Uniquely in Piedmont, he minimizes sulphur use, avoids fining and filtering, and ages his wines in large Slovenian oak botti, reflecting regional traditions.

With just under four acres of vines, Giovanni treats them with copper and sulfur instead of pesticides or chemical fertilisers. The grapes are harvested, destemmed, and submitted to a lengthy maceration process before being pressed and aged in large Slovenian oak botti. Giovanni eschews the addition of selected yeasts and has never dabbled in temperature control. Every aspect of this tiny production is done by hand.

2021 Barolo 'del Comune di Grinzane Cavour' DOCG

Usually $195

Now $179

The Grinzane Cavour is an extremely limited bottling from a recently added parcel outside the village of Barolo, with its first vintage released in 2012. The wine showcases a restrained wildness, evolving into aromas of dried woody herbs, rose, cherry, and spice. Keenly structured, the wine possesses a rich minerality and complexity. The finish is notably prolonged and resonant, culminating in a wine that embodies raw energy and an authentic old-world charm. This Barolo is not only a rare offering but also a profound expression of Cononica's commitment to his non-interventionist style.

2021 Barolo 'Paiagallo' DOCG

Usually $195

Now $179

Again, Canonica's Barolo 'Paiagallo' is an exceptionally rare bottling seldom seen across the globe. The nose is pure yet complex, with notes of cherry, dried rose, and orange peel, all intertwined with earthy spices, woody herbs and a charcuterie-like gaminess. The palate sustains the aromas with a vibrant structural component, culminating in an incredibly long and impactful finish that resonates across the palate—a superb hand-crafted Barolo.

SHOP GIOVANNI CANONICA

SHOP CAPPELLANO

With a rich history dating back to the early 20th century, this family-owned winery, located in Serralunga d'Alba—the heart of Barolo—has consistently crafted wines of remarkable character and distinction. Cappellano's commitment to artisanal methods, combined with their deep respect for the land and its indigenous grape varieties, yields iconic Barolo wines that capture the essence of the region's history and terroir. A special note must be made of the outstanding Barolo Chinato, an aromatised bitter fortified wine that is now produced across Barolo but originates from this very address.

Below is a very special offer indeed. With incredibly small harvest volumes and rigorous fruit selection, our full collection of current and back vintage wines is almost unheard of.

2020 Barolo 'Pie Rupestris' DOCG

Offer Price $375

"The 2021 Barolo Rupestris is a total knockout. Dark, ample and beautifully layered, the 2021 dazzles from start to finish, showing excellent depth and tons of persistence. The 2021 is one of my favorite recent vintages because of its superb balance. Although obviously a young Barolo, opening this with minimal cellaring won't be an issue. It's a pretty big wine from Cappellano."

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com

NV Barolo Chinato (500ml)

Usually $109

Now $99

"We ended the meal with a Piedmontese classic, the always exceptionally good NV Cappellano Barolo Chinato. From the house that invented it, this is a Chinato of real pedigree: long, suave, complex and rich, featuring lovely, lingering notes of quinine and dark berries and a very typical resiny nuance (typical of this estate’s version of Chinato, that is). It provided a wonderful and very Langhe way to bring our dinner to a close."

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com