A Visit to Poderi e Cantine Oddero

[Levi Dalton]

The driveway leading into the Cantina of Poderi Oddero. This facility is located in Santa Maria (within La Morra), although Poderi Oddero has choice vineyard holdings in several other communes.

Off to the side of the driveway was this tree.

Luca Veglio, who has been working with the winemaking at Poderi Oddero since 2001. Luca seems to like wine. To taste wine, to be around vines, to talk with people about wine. He doesn't speak any English, but I caught a good vibe.

A view of the Cantina at Poderi Oddero.

The tasting room at Poderi Oddero.

The foyer into the cellar at Poderi Oddero.

The family has a collection of antique plates that were produced in the region.

The cement fermentation units have been painted in bright colors, at the behest of Mariacristina Oddero.

I did not taste this 2008 Rionda, although the 2004 that I did taste was really superb.

This vineyard, near the Cantina, is known as Bricco Chiesa (Chiesa means Church), so named for the church at the top of this hill. As we approached the vineyard the church bells began to sound, which struck me as appropriate.

A closeup of the young vines in Bricco Chiesa. These have been planted without recourse to chemicals, and employ natural methods to resist insect infestation.

This is a view from the driveway of the Cantina. The vineyard hill topped by the tree in the distance is the cru of Arborina.

 

[Doug Padgett]

originally posted by Levi Dalton:

The tasting room at Poderi Oddero.

Tarot?! But why? Antiques or something? Your pictures are fantastic, Levi.

 

[Levi Dalton]

originally posted by Doug Padgett:

Tarot?! But why? Antiques or something? Your pictures are fantastic, Levi.

They were decorative wall hangings. I assume antique, but I didn't ask about them.

 

[Jeff Grossman]

The tarot are lovely.

I am curious... is Mariacristina an adult or a child?

 

[BJ]

Levi, I'm trying to figure it out, where are you, anyway?

 

[Scott Kraft]

Thank you, Levi. Wonderful stuff the whole trip. And well-deserved!

 

[Levi Dalton]

originally posted by BJ:
Levi, I'm trying to figure it out, where are you, anyway?

New York.

 

[Levi Dalton]

originally posted by Jeff Grossman:

I am curious... is Mariacristina an adult or a child?

Mariacristina Oddero.

Mariacristina, as part of the owning family, looks after things as a sort of estate manager. She works closely with Luca and with the vineyard manager (whom I did not meet).

 

[Levi Dalton]

originally posted by Scott Kraft:
Thank you, Levi. Wonderful stuff the whole trip. And well-deserved!

Thanks, Scott.

 

[Christian Miller (CMM)]

The cement fermentation units have been painted in bright colors, at the behest of Mariacristina Oddero.

That's a great idea, I wonder why people don't do this more often.

 

[MLipton]

originally posted by Christian Miller (CMM):

The cement fermentation units have been painted in bright colors, at the behest of Mariacristina Oddero.

That's a great idea, I wonder why people don't do this more often.

If the idea of using cement is to get it to exchange oxygen a la oak, wouldn't painting the exterior be a bit counterproductive? Those of us who've sealed our basement walls know how effective paint is at blocking those pores.

Mark Lipton

 

[Levi Dalton]

originally posted by MLipton:

...how effective paint is at blocking those pores.

Are you saying that I shouldn't have gotten the multicolored tattoo on my face?

 

[MLipton]

originally posted by Levi Dalton:

originally posted by MLipton:

...how effective paint is at blocking those pores.

Are you saying that I shouldn't have gotten the multicolored tattoo on my face?

Hey, you've seen/read Goldfinger, haven't you? Bad shit, man.

Mark Lipton

 

[Levi Dalton]

originally posted by MLipton:

originally posted by Levi Dalton:

originally posted by MLipton:

...how effective paint is at blocking those pores.

Are you saying that I shouldn't have gotten the multicolored tattoo on my face?

Hey, you've seen/read Goldfinger, haven't you? Bad shit, man.

Mark Lipton

Huh. I just knew it must be a bad idea to trust a tattoo artist named Oddjob.

 

[MLipton]

originally posted by Levi Dalton:

originally posted by MLipton:

originally posted by Levi Dalton:

originally posted by MLipton:

...how effective paint is at blocking those pores.

Are you saying that I shouldn't have gotten the multicolored tattoo on my face?

Hey, you've seen/read Goldfinger, haven't you? Bad shit, man.

Mark Lipton

Huh. I just knew it must be a bad idea to trust a tattoo artist named Oddjob.

Better that than the guy nicknamed "Tweak" though, right?

Mark Lipton

 

[Mike Klein]

originally posted by Levi Dalton:

originally posted by MLipton:

originally posted by Levi Dalton:

originally posted by MLipton:

...how effective paint is at blocking those pores.

Are you saying that I shouldn't have gotten the multicolored tattoo on my face?

Hey, you've seen/read Goldfinger, haven't you? Bad shit, man.

Mark Lipton

Huh. I just knew it must be a bad idea to trust a tattoo artist named Oddjob.

But you should see what he can do with his hat...