The master's labels

From 1976 until his passing, Gianni Gallo (Dogliani, 1935-2011) was a close friend and confidant of Paolo Marolo, having designed, in large part, the collection of the distillery’s bottle labels, he was an integral part of defining the identity and brand of the company. Refined artist, engraver, farmer with anarchist ideals, generous host, and formidable drinker. Gianni Gallo was an unconventional artist, as obsessive about his work as he was private and unseeking of the limelight. Inspired by nature, animals, and plants, his labels with their simple, vibrant lines, have accompanied and narrated over forty years of winemaking in Langhe and Roero.

Gianni Gallo and Paolo Marolo, a friendship over time

I think back on our time together, following the thread of my memories and my regrets. It was in 1976; I went for the first time to Dogliani to meet him in his smoky and legendary kitchen when the first label for my Barolo was born: the kingfisher, the symbol of my grappa. From that moment Gianni has never been only the excellent artist, the refined engraver, but above all "a friend", sharing life with me and with it, its ups and downs.

He was an acute observer, a great storyteller with an impressive archive of experiences and memories. He tended to express clearly his ideas, even when they were inconvenient. Our arguments were heated and passionate. Italy first, and then the rest of the world, started to know my Grappa with Gianni's beautiful labels, his animals, his trees, his flowers. Gianni is with me whenever someone asks me who is the author of those marvels. He will always be here with his labels and my memories. He gave me a lot, and I deeply miss him.



Paolo Marolo