Memories of Andrea Alessandria

Born in 1977 in Novello where he lives, Andrea Alessandria began collaborating with Luciano in July 1999. Their first meeting took place in the spring of that year. And it was immediately a meeting full of complicity and involvement.

In 1999, when Andrea met Luciano, the first impression was of having before him a decisive man, in his own way brisk, always busy. He never stood still for a moment. Initially, that way of being intimidated him. Then, after getting to know him a little, the impression changed and Luciano became sociable, involving. Exactly what he was looking for.
"At work as in free time – Andrea recalls – Luciano never made me feel like an employee. For him I was his collaborator. And then he made me passionate about the work: with him there was constant dialogue, he explained why he would do something a certain way and asked me if I agreed. Working with him was stimulating like a bet to be played through to the end".
In Andrea's eyes Luciano was simple and essential: "I never heard him boast about what he had done in life. He knew he had created an important and admired productive reality, but he kept that pinch of pride to himself".
In recent times, often it was enough for them to look each other in the face to understand each other immediately and find the solution to follow.

Was there a gift from Luciano that particularly pleased you?

"Of course. – Andrea responds promptly – It was July 2009 and I was preparing for my wedding. Given the fine relationship that had developed between us, I had asked Luciano to be my witness. But, a few days before the wedding, I discovered he had suddenly left for England. I was worried. I feared he would not arrive in time for the ceremony. So I frequently asked Luca and Barbara for reassurances on the matter. Both reassured me. Then, a couple of days before the wedding, I received a phone call from Luciano himself, in which he told me he was stuck in London and feared he might not get back in time for the wedding".
Andrea was worried and so – after yet another request for confirmation from Barbara and Luca – he had understood that the situation was not easy: Luciano might indeed not be back in time. But Luca reassured him: "If Luciano doesn't arrive in time, I will be your witness".
"On 1 August, the day of the wedding, - Andrea recalls – just after the religious ceremony, with my bride and the guests we were on the church steps celebrating. Suddenly, a small plane appeared in the sky, an ultralight circling over the church. Little by little the twin-engine descended and at a certain point from that aircraft flowers began to fall on us, sweets and other festive objects. I understood that Luciano was on that small plane. He was flying the twin-engine and throwing flowers and sweets at our wedding. So much for the trip to England. Luciano had orchestrated that pretence to celebrate my wedding in the most unexpected way".
Andrea knew that Luciano was passionate about flying and was learning to pilot those small planes and obtain his pilot's licence. But he would never have thought that Luciano might use his passion to give him and his family such a beautiful surprise.

With Luciano did you work mainly in the cellar or also in the vineyard?

"A preamble is necessary; – Andrea specifies – Luciano loved his work greatly, but if he could have chosen between vineyard and cellar he would certainly have preferred the former. The vineyard was his ideal environment, where he felt fulfilled, especially for the close connection that existed with nature. He knew his vineyards one by one and knew how to interpret them well. He loved tasks such as pruning and tying, but green pruning (leaf removal) did not displease him either. From 2006–2007 onwards his presence in the vineyard became a little less frequent. He had many other commitments and not only in the cellar. But this limitation saddened him. He missed those moments in the open air and surrounded by nature".

To your knowledge, do you remember any expression of Luciano's that became proverbial?

Andrea becomes serious and resumes his account: "In his later years, his health made things difficult for him. I recall one emblematic reflection of his: «Certainly in this company we have put in a great deal of work…». For me it was the greatest recognition. It was worth more than any severance pay…".
But that is not all. Andrea continues: "Luciano was so involved in his work that every year – with harvest approaching – he loved to say: «The harvest celebration is nearly here!!!». It truly was so. Every time, during that period we worked so hard, seven days a week for a couple of months, but it was a celebration all the same. And not only because we were bringing home the fruits of a year's work, but because every time we created something unrepeatable".
There was never a work occasion in which Luciano did not maintain a positive attitude. Perhaps he worked very hard, but he faced every situation with a constructive approach. "Just think that every time, – Andrea specifies – before calling or consulting the relevant technician or mechanic, Luciano preferred to see clearly for himself. He would apply himself and, with great patience, dismantle the piece or machine affected by the fault and try to understand more about it. Only at that point would he call the technician. That way he already knew where the problem was. On those occasions, he would say to me: «If we do the work ourselves it's always better…». Who could blame him?".
A further consideration: "Since Luciano is no longer with us, I often feel at a loss. I miss that older work companion who treated me as an equal. Every time I am struck by how much work he used to do and I am saddened thinking that all his knowledge has gone with him".

One last thing: is there a wine of Luciano's that astonishes you when you taste it?

"Among all his wines – Andrea specifies – I am always fascinated by the Nebbiolo d'Alba Valmaggiore. I have worked for some time on Nebbiolos from Barolo, but the encounter with Roero revealed to me a particular reality, different in its own way. It is always a Nebbiolo, but that Valmaggiore reveals to me a delicacy that exists nowhere else, not in Barolo and not even in Barbaresco. And then with the effort one makes every day to cultivate that vineyard, the glass of Valmaggiore with its elegance each time reassures me, moves me and gratifies me. It is not a Barolo, but it is worth getting to know".