From bucking tradition and pursuing the “new Barolo” to staking an emphatic claim in the potential of Valmaggiore in Roero, the Sandrones have shown themselves to be as fiercely individualistic as they come. Their latest project is very much in that vein, as they attempt to take their new winery, located at the base of Cannbi Boschis on the outskirts of Barolo, completely off the grid.
When we visited the winery in December 2008, they had already started drawing from their own water supply, and now they have taken another large step towards independence. The recently installed solar panels will allow the winery so produce 30% of its own electricity, a step that will allow them to greatly reduce their carbon footprint while ensuring uninterrupted operations all year round.
For a peak inside the Sandrone winery, check out Matthew Gavin Frank’s memoir, Barolo. Frank got serious about food a few years back and wound up in Barolo helping with Sandrone’s 2008 vintage. The tales he spins about the characters of Piedmont are lively and engaging; check out excerpts from the book here and here.
