Elio Altare

Elio Altare – the architect of modern Barolo and a legendary figure in winemaking

Elio Altare is one of the most influential and visionary personalities in the Barolo region, widely regarded as the driving force behind the modern approach to Barolo winemaking. The revolution he inspired in Piedmont not only transformed the local wine style, but also helped secure Barolo’s place among the world’s elite wine regions.

From tradition to modernity: the path to a new Barolo

As a young man, Elio Altare travelled to Burgundy, where he encountered a radically different philosophy of winemaking:

• uncompromising focus on vineyard work
• minimal intervention in the cellar
• strict standards for grape quality
• the use of new French oak barrels

Upon returning to La Morra in Piedmont, Elio decided to implement these ideas in his father’s winery, despite strong family opposition. Wine lore recounts that after a serious conflict with his father Giovanni, Elio famously destroyed the old barrels with a chainsaw—symbolically severing ties with the old system.

Revolutionary methods and uncompromising dedication

Elio Altare stood out not only for his ideas, but also for his almost obsessive commitment to quality:

• sleeping in the cellar to “listen” to the wine
• tasting the soil and meticulously recording weather changes
• abandoning pesticides after poisoning in 1982 and transitioning to organic viticulture

At the time, the techniques he introduced were unprecedented in Barolo:

• rotary fermentation tanks
• shorter skin contact
• new French oak barrels

These methods resulted in wines that could be enjoyed earlier, yet retained depth, structure, and longevity—a clear expression of modern elegance and quality.