Stefano Occhetti is a Piedmontese engineer-turned-vigneron making waves in Roero – an appellation comparatively overlooked by modern drinkers and separated from Barolo and Barbaresco by the Tanaro river. Returning to his homeland in 2019, Stefano took over 1.8ha of Roero vineyards planted by his grandfather in the 1940s. Dedicated to traditional Piedmontese techniques, he works the land by hand and without chemicals. Just 600 bottles were made. The fine wines of Barolo and Barbaresco have never enjoyed so much attention, but Occhetti and other new domaines such as Bricco Ernesto are demonstrating that their brilliant hidden gems in Roero deserve just as much focus.
