The Ruling Council
Gran Maestro
TOMASO ZANOLETTI
Tomaso Zanoletti was born in Cortemilia in 1944. He attended high school in Turin before going on to graduate from the city’s University, first in Law and then in Political Sciences.
He became the youngest Mayor of Alba in 1977, and was reconfirmed with large majorities until 1990, when he went on to be a Regional Councillor, and then a Senator for 5 legislatures until 2013. In the Senate he was Vice president of Groupings, and Chair of the Employment and Social Security Committee.
Over the years he has dedicated increasing attention to tourism, truffles and wine, being instrumental in the formation of the first Tourist Board, having the Exhibition and Congress Centre built, raising the profile of the Truffle Fair (inaugurated also by Prime Ministers), campaigning against the damage that would have been caused to Alba winegrowing by an incinerator planned by chemicals company ACNA, obtaining approval for an interesting change to the law on truffles and funds for Grinzane Castle.
He was elected first President of the National Association of the Cities of Wine, presided over the Enoteca Regionale Cavour from 2000 to 2019, was President from 2001 to 2006 of the National Wine Committee that approved DOCG status for the Roero and Dogliani appellations, and founded and presided over the National Wine and Health Observatory in 2008.
He has been a Knight of the Truffle and Wines of Alba since 1983, and a Master on the Order’s Ruling Council since 2019.
He is an Honorary Member of other leading Brotherhoods, and a Commandeur in Burgundy’s Chevaliers du Tastevin.
Masters of the Ruling Council
LILIANA ALLENA
In the drawer a commercial technical high school diploma, a qualification to practice the profession of Chartered Accountant and two degrees: one in Political Science, with technical-administrative address, the other in Law. But Liliana Allena leaves accounting books and legal studies to gather dust, and she is totally immersed in the world of truffles. She and she, in fact, she is the president of the Fair organization which manages an event with an international flavor
“My greatest desire is to make my city, Alba, an increasingly global tourist capital, projected towards growth and the future”, she writes in her biography. And Alba means Piedmont.
You started in 1981 as an administrative clerk and then became the owner of an automotive consultancy firm. Finally, in the spring of 2018 came the great satisfaction of the presidency of Sermetra, the largest network of Auto Practices in Italy, with 1,200 agencies and driving schools, distributed throughout the national territory. Activities, however, always collateral, or secondary, with respect to the truffle. A passion that has become a full-time job and commitment.
In fact, the precious fruit of the Langa, Roero and Monferrato woods requires dedication 365 days a year. Not only in these autumn months. Being a truffle ambassador is an engaging and absolutely rewarding action, for a whole year.
And, speaking of sports, Liliana goes horseback riding, or is dedicated to skiing and sailing. Essential activities for those who are forced almost every day to go from lunch to dinner through dozens of other tastings.
MATTEO ASCHERI
Matteo Ascheri was born on 2 June 1962 in Bra (CN) and lives there.
He is married and father of three children, Giacomo, Giuseppe and Andrea.
Graduated in Economics and Commerce from the University of Turin in 1985 and qualified to practice as a chartered accountant in 1987.
Directly in charge of the family cellars, Cantine Ascheri Giacomo sas, starting from 1988 when he replaced his father Giacomo, who died.
President of the board of directors and then sole administrator of the Piedmont Wine Research Center – Tenuta Cannona for 6 years, from 1993 to 1999.
President of the board of directors of the Unione Produttori Vini Albesi for 6 years, from 1991 to 1997.
Vice-President of the Consortium Barolo & Barbaresco and Alba wines from 1992 to 1994.
Vice-President of the Alba – Bra Langhe and Roero Tourist Board from 2002 to 2005.
Currently a member of the board of directors of the Langhe Monferrato Roero Tourist Consortium
Since April 2018 President of the Barolo, Barbaresco, Alba, Langhe and Dogliani Consortium
FRANCO BORIANI
Franco Boriani was born on March 19, 1973 in Codogno, he lives in Terranova dei Passerini (LO). Entrepreneur in the technology sector, he follows important Italian and foreign groups in the HR and Artificial Intelligence fields. He is a great admirer of Albese food and wine, to the point that since 2004 he has frequented the area with great interest and passion. He loves good food and the great wines of the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato, every occasion is a good one to bring friends and clients to get to know the Langhe and its most illustrious wines: which with its ruby color and its fragrances of violet, rose , raspberry and morello cherry bears the name of BAROLO!
ROSALBA ROLANDO
Rosalba Rolando was born in Alba on 21 August 1968, lives in Diano d’Alba and is employed in the insurance sector.
An admirer of the Langhe and of the many excellences of the area, she inherits from her parents, restaurateurs by vocation, a great passion for food and wine which, over the years, has led her to especially deepen her knowledge of wine.
She became AIS Sommelier in 2014, Official Taster in 2017, AIS Delegate for the province of Cuneo-Alba and Regional Vice President of AIS Piedmont in 2022. In 2021 she receives the “Decanter” award.
For several years you have been collaborating with the AIS, above all by organizing events and courses for sommeliers in the province of Cuneo-Alba.
For her, “wine is not only drunk. She is observed, smelled, tasted, sipped and… talked about”.
LUCIANO BERTELLO
Luciano Bertello was born in 1955 in Montaldo Roero (CN), graduating in Humanities from Turin University, where he specialized in history and presented a dissertation researching the Roero countryside between the two world wars.
He pursued a career in teaching.
As President and Director of the Enoteca Regionale del Roero from 1996 to 2015 he contributed with ideas, projects, reporting and publications to the economic, tourist and cultural success of Roero wines, providing substantial input in terms of content to the awarding (2014) of UNESCO world heritage status to the vineyard landscapes of the Langhe-Roero and Monferrato.
He was the architect of the creation and operation of “Sorì Edizioni”, a publishing house specialized in studies of our local history and culture.
He has published books, essays and articles of history, folk culture and the Alba culinary tradition.
He loves being in touch with nature, and travel related to local cultural and human knowledge.
ROBERTO DAMONTE
Roberto Damonte was born in 1957 in Canale (CN), where he still lives today.
He graduated from the Winemaking School in Alba in 1977, and following his military service he began working in the family wine cellar, Malvirà, where he would later be joined by his brother Massimo and their respective families.
While Massimo – and today his son Francesco – mainly looks after the vineyards, Roberto and his son Giacomo handle operations in the winery.
Since 2003 they have also entered the tourist hospitality sector, with the opening of their Villa Tiboldi agritourism facility.
A farmer with his roots deeply entrenched in the area, he is often on his travels spreading the word about the wines of the Roero.
GIANFRANCO GARAU
Gianfranco Garau was born in Alba in 1981. After graduating from the local winemaking school he went on to obtain a diploma at Turin University’s School of Business Administration, followed by a degree in the Science of Business Administration and Organization. He works in sales and marketing on a number of export markets for the Toys division of Mondo Spa. Since 2006 he has been on Grinzane Cavour Council, and in 2016 he was elected Mayor.
He was Vice President of the Enoteca Regionale di Barolo from 2014 to 2016. He is currently President of the Enoteca Regionale Piemontese Cavour.
He loves good wine and dinner with friends, and his age has not yet stopped him from playing football for Langa Calcio.
DENISE MARRONE
Denise Marrone was born in Canale on October 13th 1979, and graduated in Communication Sciences from Turin University in 2003. She is a professional sommelier, qualified tourist guide in English, French and German for the province of Cuneo, technical director of the family’s Italian Delights tour operator business, partner with the rest of her family in the Agricola Gian Piero Marrone winery in La Morra, and a wedding planner out of passion… and by vocation.
She is in love with the Langa, her wines, her cooking and her local area, and is a compulsive traveller for business and pleasure.
She met her fiancé during her induction into the Order at Grinzane Castle, since when fellow Knight of the Truffle and Wines of Alba Emanuele Varino has become not only her “Cavalier sponsor”, but her Cavalier partner for life!
MARIACRISTINA ODDERO
Mariacristina Oddero was born in Alba and lives in La Morra.
She obtained a Degree in Agriculture from Turin University, followed by a 2-year specialization in Vinegrowing and Winemaking.
After starting work as a high school teacher, in 1997 she joined the “Oddero Poderi e Cantine” family business in La Morra, and since 2006 she has been running the estate with the help of other family members and employees.
She has a great passion for plants, and dedicates herself to the growing of the local grape-varieties Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto and Moscato, as well as the Tonda Gentile delle Langhe variety of hazelnut.
In 2008 she introduced integrated organic farming to her vineyards, and she continues along this path with the cooperation of all the winery personnel.
She is very attached to the landscape, vineyards and production of the Langhe, and took an active part with La Morra’s Unesco Club in promoting the candidacy of the Vineyard Landscapes of the Langa, Roero and Monferrato for World Heritage status, which was awarded in June 2014.
She produces the local wines from estate-grown grapes, seeking to maintain a high profile in terms of quality, sustainability and respect for the environment.
FABRIZIO PACE
Fabrizio Pace was born on May 5th 1965 in Cossano Belbo, and lives in Diano d’Alba.
Director since 2017 of the Alba Traders Association, where he began his career in 1984, over the years he has dedicated considerable time and energy not only to the growth of the Association, but also to the development of tourism in Alba Langhe and Roero, coordinating events, initiatives and intensive promotional activity.
From 2006 to 2017 he also held the office of Director of the Enoteca Regionale Piemontese Cavour based in Grinzane Cavour Castle, which enjoyed a veritable boom in popularity and prestige under his leadership.
These successes were another reason why he has been a Master of the Order of Knights of the Truffle and Wines of Alba since 2015.
A sports enthusiast and local food and wine aficionado, he holds a deep love for the area, deploying creativity and passion in furthering its appreciation and economic growth.
UGO VENTURINO
Ugo Venturino was born in Turin on August 22nd, 1966 from a family with deep roots in Alba and Monferrato region.
From a young age he started working in the music field, first as an arranger and producer, then as an editor of soundtracks, some of which also featured in Oscar-winning movies.
His recording studio is located in the premises that once housed the barrels of his grandfather, who used to produce their family wine.
Since 2000 for several years Ugo was the chairman of the board of directors and a director of two join stock companies, operating in the financial industry, but tied to major music, art and cultural events and festivals.
His passion for food and wine originates from his roots, starting with his very first grandmothers’ tajarin.
Turned forty, the “call of the Langhe” and the desire for a more relaxed life started becoming stronger and stronger. Hence the decision to move to Verduno, where he settled with his life partner Mirella in 2010.
Deeply into wines and a committed supporter of organic farming, he became an AIS Sommelier together with Master Davide Fino, thanks to whom he discovered the Order, becoming a Knight in the following years.
Ugo is one of two co-owners of the Agnulot restaurant in Verduno, managed by Mirella.
Borrowing a phrase from a famous movie, there’s no need to wait for the big moment to open a big bottle because meeting a big bottle is a big moment itself.
BIANCA VETRINO
Bianca Vetrino was born in Alba on June 13th 1939. From an early age she was involved in social and cultural initiatives in her home town, where she completed her studies and was employed for around a decade by Ferrero SpA.
On marrying she left Alba for Pino Torinese, where she was elected to the Town Council and was Mayor in 1976. She was increasingly attracted by the world of politics, and for three legislatures from 1980 to 1995 she was a member of the Piedmont Regional Council, holding cabinet positions including Deputy Chair between 1985 and 1995.
This demanding institutional commitment did not prevent her from dedicating time to the Order of Knights of the Truffle and Wines of Alba as well, receiving the Neck-chain from Founder Grand Master, Luciano De Giacomi, on May 12th 1968 during the Order’s second Chapter. She went on to become a Master on the Ruling Council, then Master of the Piedmont Delegation, and since 2011 Grand Master.
She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Enoteca Regionale Piemontese Cavour, and Vice President for Italy of the Fédération Internationale des Confréries Bachiques (F.I.C.B.).
Since 1964 she has been an Honorary Citizen of Medford, Oregon, Alba’s twin town in the United State. She is an active Honorary Knight of numerous Brotherhoods in Italy and abroad.
A curiosity: Grand Master De Giacomi said of her at the time of her Induction as a Knight of the Order: “among her talents is the rather rare ability, even for a perfect winemaker, to detect just the faintest whiff of cork in a bottle”.
JEAN CHARLES VIENS
A self-declared “Gourmand and a Storyteller”, JC is deeply passionate about wine and other pleasures of the table. For 27 years, he lived and worked in Hong Kong and China first as an Entrepreneur in the Export sector and then as an expert in wine communications. In 2018, he received the honour of “Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia” for his achievements on behalf of Italian wines in Hong Kong. He is Greater China Ambassador for Franciacorta, a WSET Certified Wine Educator and a Vinitaly Academy Italian Wine Ambassador. Experienced Wine judge for the Decanter Asia Wine Awards and Vinitaly 5-Star Wines. JC hosts a weekly wine program on RTHK Radio 3 and contributes to Spirito diVino Italia with bi-monthly articles on issues related to Asia. He was Master of the Hong Kong Delegation from December 2018 until July 2020. He will relocate to Italy in the fall of 2020.