Memory of Rolf, Trudi, René and Marianne

How is it possible that a chance meeting can translate into a perfect friendship

"It was the spring of 1978, – Rolf Imhof tells us – my wife Trudi, her brother René with his fiancée and I decided to embark on a trip to Piedmont. The main destination was the Barolo zone, the most famous wine of the region. But already during our exploration on Easter Saturday we were slightly disappointed by the village of Barolo. It was not easy for tourists to find a cellar open and willing to offer tastings. The only one we found was Barale. We left Barolo frustrated, heading towards Alba".
And then what happened?
"Suddenly, at the exit from the village we spotted a house with a garage and a pallet of bottles still to be used. We stopped. It was clear that wine was produced there! Next to the pallet there was a door. After several attempts at knocking, to which no one responded, we tried to turn the handle: to our amazement we found the door was open. We found ourselves in a cellar or storeroom. No one was visible, but on the other side of the room there was a second door. We repeated the same operation and found ourselves in an outdoor space. There we met the Sandrone family: Mariuccia, Luciano and Barbara engaged in painting. They were all astonished by our unexpected visit. We asked if it was possible to taste wine. Hesitantly, our wish was granted. The door to the garage was opened and we found ourselves in Luciano's first cellar. Mariuccia brought glasses and grissini, Luciano began to tell us about his wines".
How did that meeting continue?
"First of all we were asked how we had found them, since we were the first foreign visitors to arrive at the cellar! And then, we continued the tasting and the account".
You returned other times, I imagine…
"Yes, certainly. In the following years, that Easter trip became a very beautiful tradition. From time to time we also came to Piedmont during the truffle season. The friendship with the Sandrone family became ever more intense. At a certain point we felt almost part of the family. Thanks to Luciano we got to know many wonderful restaurants, such as Cesare Giaccone and above all Massimo Camìa with whom we struck up a fine friendship".
Did your encounter with Luciano extend over the years?
"We followed the developments of the Sandrone cellar closely; Luciano kept us updated on novelties and every now and then even revealed some secrets. His trust knew no limits. I recall that there was a particular episode after our umpteenth Easter lunch spent together. Luciano showed us how in Nebbiolo one could eliminate the presence of colour residues and how it was possible to produce a dry sparkling wine. The experiment was not continued, but in us the memory of that account has remained very vivid. His objective was always the positive evolution of the wine, but in accordance with tradition. The result is visible in all his wines, from Dolcetto to Barolo, and above all in the creation of his great Vite Talin, a wine that perfectly expresses Luciano's idea".
In conclusion?
"It is no surprise that today his wines are appreciated throughout the world, even in St. Moritz at 1800 m above sea level, where they are present on the lists of the most renowned restaurants. It is as if from up there Luciano were winking at us and saying with his humble smile: «I am present even here in the mountains». We will always be grateful for that first meeting and for the friendship that arose from it. It has greatly enriched us and we will never forget it".