Memory of Carlo Gai

Luciano, a man of great qualities and extraordinary equilibrium

Born in 1943, Carlo Gai is president of Gai Macchine Imbottigliatrici of Ceresole d'Alba, an industrial structure of great entrepreneurial vision, specialised in the production of bottling plants for wines and other beverages. His family roots in Villafranca d'Asti inspired in him a deep bond with wine, especially red, in particular with Barolo.
The meeting with Carlo Gai in his "entrepreneurial kingdom" of Ceresole d'Alba revealed his scrupulous nature, his pauses for reflection before answering, the balance of his words and the agricultural and Piedmontese roots that still now remind him of that paternal grandfather who ran a small farm between vineyards and other crops. Ways of being and states of mind that create a deep connection with Luciano Sandrone.

"I did not have many occasions – Carlo Gai begins – to meet Luciano. He had bought from us two bottling machines for his wines, in the Eighties and then again in the 2000s. Beyond this, I always liked his way of being deeply Piedmontese, measured in words, reflective in attitude and prudent in action".
For him Luciano was always an interlocutor of great prestige.
"Neither of us – he points out – was ever much of a talker. Also for this reason I got on well with him. We understood we were on the same wavelength: for the bottling of his such prestigious wines Luciano desired only technologically impeccable machinery. I wanted only to supply machinery functional to my clients' needs. So it was easy to nurture that feeling of mutual liking: we worked for the same objectives".
In this working relationship with Luciano, was there something that struck you?
"I was surprised by his gentlemanly manner and his way of celebrating new acquisitions. Once the installation work was completed, Luciano wanted to celebrate and would invite us to the best restaurants in the area to mark the event in the most pleasant way. He always brought his wines, in particular Barolo, and I was very happy".
From your words one senses the great admiration you had for Luciano…
"I followed Luciano from a distance – Carlo Gai underlines – and he always seemed to me a man of great qualities and extraordinary equilibrium, in a world where excessive positions and radical attitudes are often noticed. I very much appreciated, for example, his equilibrium when facing technical themes and choices. As when, in the great debate between innovators and traditionalists, he chose to remain above the fray".
Revisiting your memories, is there a curious fact you would like to tell me?
"In recent days – engineer Gai notes – I recalled a fact that happened about 25 years ago. In Italy the lira was still the currency in use. For my great passion for wine and good food, with a group of friends we went to a very prestigious establishment, the Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence. On that occasion I noticed that Luciano produced a splendid Nebbiolo d'Alba Valmaggiore. I was so impressed by the elegance and drinkability of that wine that I told my friends it was the king of table wines and that I would have wanted it on my table every day.
My friends' response was laconic: «if you can afford it...». That wine was on the list at one of the finest cellars in Italy. From then on, every time I have had the opportunity, I have never passed up that so refined glass".