“No one has done a better job of bridging the traditional and modern style than Sandrone, especially in recent years. The Sandrone Barolos are made in a style that emphasizes fruit and intensity. In that sense, they are the equivalents to growers such as Claude Dugat or Leroy in Burgundy.”
- Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Luciano Sandrone is one of Italian wine’s most important figures, carving a path for Piedmont wines to take a global stage in the late 20th century. Beginning his winery in 1978 out of his parent’s garage, Sandrone sold his entire first vintage to American distributors in 1982 at Vinitaly, Italy’s largest wine fair. With buzz from across the pond, Sandrone Barolo gradually grew into one of the country’s most respected wines, with Luciano Sandrone becoming a legendary name in the industry.
Sandrone Wine: Nebbiolo at its Finest
Hailing from a family of carpenters, Luciano broke from the family business, taking an interest in wine from a very young age. At only 15 years old, he began learning about viticulture and knew his life journey always lay in wine. Though he completed military service for a brief period, his work in the vineyard was inevitable, creating his first vintage in 1978 on a small parcel of land in the Barolo Cru of Cannubi Boschis. With only 1500 bottles produced, Sandrone had low expectations for his debut wine until he met an American buyer at Italy’s famed, Vinitaly. There, he sold out his entire 1978 vintage and gradually expanded his vineyard to 27 hectares across Piedmont.
Modeling his wines after Burgundy producers, Sandrone Winery utilized minimal cellar work and kept the business in the family. Luciano worked alongside his brother Luca, daughter Barbara, and grandchildren Alessia and Stefano before his unfortunate passing in 2023. Ultimately, only twelve full-time workers were ever present in the vineyard, producing some of the finest Barolo Italy has ever seen.
Until 1998, Sandrone wines were created in Luciano’s home, strictly sticking to proven methods. Though the winery was never certified bio-organic due to fear of appearing inauthentic to customers, Sandrone wines always used this type of cultivation. Each harvest was hand-picked, and maceration occurred in large-format oak. Around 30-50% of the fruit was fermented and only 95,000 bottles were produced each year.
2010 Sandrone Le Vigne
Sandrone Barolo is one of Italy’s most acclaimed and sought-after wines, particularly receiving immense praise from Antonio Galloni, Italian wine’s most respected name. The 2010 Le Vigne bottle was rated a perfect 100 points by the critic, who called the wine “fresh, vibrant, and so full of energy.” Valued for its quality, harmony, and finish, the bottle is one of the best from Italy this century and a true gem for any cellar.
Browse our entire collection of Sandrone wines to experience one of Italy’s top Barolo.
