Elio Sandri, based at Cascina Disa in Monforte d’Alba, is one of Piedmont’s most uncompromising traditionalists. His family’s estate dates back to the 19th century, and today Elio farms about eight hectares of vineyards within the Monforte cru of Perno.

Sandri’s philosophy rejects modern shortcuts: no herbicides, no temperature control, no new oak. Fermentations occur spontaneously in concrete tanks, macerations are long and gentle, and maturation takes place in large Slavonian botti for up to five years.

The resulting wines — particularly Barolo “Perno” and Langhe Nebbiolo — are profound and soulful, combining delicate aromatics with firm structure and great ageing potential. They evoke the spirit of Barolo before modernization: complex, honest, and timeless.

Though understated, Sandri’s reputation among insiders is formidable. His wines are prized for their transparency and emotional depth, offering a vivid expression of Nebbiolo’s capacity to mirror both land and maker. For importers, Elio Sandri embodies the enduring authenticity of Piedmontese winemaking at its purest.