6.3 The new cellar in Barolo

The gradual growth of the vineyards planted with Nebbiolo and with the other two most widespread native varieties (Dolcetto and Barbera) was also generating an increase in the wine and bottles produced. To effectively accommodate this increase in production, a more spacious cellar was needed. In a first phase, the problem was solved by renting two existing structures in Barolo, one of which, between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, had hosted the old social cellar of the village of Barolo.
But even this solution gradually proved inadequate. And it was normal that it should be so, because in those years what could be found for rent could at most function as a warehouse or a service room for labelling and packaging, but did not allow the efficient organisation of a technically impeccable production cycle. Those who had a well-structured cellar kept a tight grip on it.
"It was the beginning of the Nineties. – Luciano recalls – Our production was increasing and, at the same time, the market was also expanding its borders. I realized that we could no longer continue with an approximate structure like ours might appear. It is true that in the company all the operators worked with commitment and passion, but the progress of production and sales also had to be supported by adequate production structures, well organized from an operational, technical and technological point of view".
In that period, the entire wine sector of Alba and Piedmont was experiencing a phase of profound evolution. After many years of debate and study, the Piedmontese wine reality had achieved its new goals. On November 22, 1994, the Official Gazette of the Italian Republic published the decrees of recognition of the territory's designations of origin (Doc Piemonte, Doc Monferrato and Doc Langhe).
The latter, in particular, was destined to become over time an important and strategic designation for the Langhe territory, with very high levels of identity and image. Even the economic values would bring substantial confirmations, consolidating for example in 2024 a global figure of over 23 million bottles generated and marketed in the calendar year. Among all the types of wine of this designation, the flagship would turn out to be the Langhe Doc Nebbiolo with more than 11 million bottles. Also from a strategic point of view, the recognition of the Langhe designation would prove to be a decisive solution because it would trigger for all first-level wines (e.g. Barolo, Barbaresco, but also Barbera d'Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba, Nebbiolo d'Alba and Roero) a process of selection and enhancement of the quality level which, year after year, would prove fundamental for their image on the world stage.

The Sandrone company also experienced the growth problems of the sector, naturally related to the company's dynamics. Luciano looked around and saw in many of his colleagues an irrepressible desire to grow, create, and always organize themselves for the better.
Thus, based on these observations, the awareness was maturing within him that it was necessary to think about the design and construction of a new cellar structure, more organized to optimize production mechanisms.
"With a lot of circumspection and without giving too much emphasis to the initiative, – Luciano continues in his story – in 1992 we began to look for new solutions for our cellar. At first we had identified an existing building in the lower part of the village of Barolo that seemed to suit us. But the flood that hit the Alba territory – as well as much of the wine-growing Piedmont – in November 1994 cooled our enthusiasm and above all advised us to direct our research elsewhere. We thus identified the current location and in 1997 we decided to buy the land on which we would build our new cellar. The land was in Barolo, in Via Pugnane, a stretch of municipal road directed towards the Bussia area and the village of Castiglione Falletto". This land was also not far from a small stream, the Rio della Fava (in Piedmontese rì dr̄a fâva). It was a watercourse of little flow, but the flood events of a short time before advised proceeding with caution, especially to understand if there could be any opposition to the construction of a new cellar in that area. Having cleared every possible doubt within a few months, the company began to think about the design.
Thus, they quickly realized that they could not settle for a small structure, even if impeccable from a technical and technological point of view.
The possible future developments had to be taken into account, also because in the meantime production had increased further and had been followed by a further expansion of the markets. The work had to be accelerated. In addition to Luciano, Barbara and Luca were also convinced of it.
Little by little the project was developed, concentrating in a single space – also to optimize the work – all the cellar phases, from winemaking to packaging and shipping to the market.
The design of the cellar was entrusted to Arch. Emilio Rinaldi, who followed Luciano and his family in all their expectations. In building the structure, the intervention of the Bertola construction company of Castiglione Falletto was decisive. But everyone who in some way collaborated in the Sandrone company gave their contribution to enrich that cellar that was rising with many small and large details that could make it efficient on the one hand and pleasant on the other. "Every time – Luciano recalls with full satisfaction – that we went around our territory or nearby ones we were animated by the desire and hope of finding some pleasant cue to take home to improve our construction. It was 1999 when we moved into the new cellar in Via Pugnane. At that time, we were producing 60,000 bottles and from that moment our definitive ascent began".
At this point, even the company organization had its clarifications: Luca would take care of the vineyards, Luciano of the cellar, Barbara of sales and Mariuccia would continue to be the eclectic, rational and resilient woman who intervened to solve problems wherever they seemed most critical.