Daniele Ress is the technical director of Schenk Italian wineries. Working as a "flying winemaker" he has collaborated with the 150 growers that make up the Cantina Vallebelbo Sca agricultural cooperative to create the Casali del Barone range.

Together they have about 500 hectares of vineyards in the heart of the Langhe, on the hills around Santo Stefano Belbo.

Piedmont is affected by a tug-of-war between two weather systems: the ice cold Alps and the warm Mediterranean temperature. This variation makes the whole area fill up with morning fog that slowly burns off during the day. This means the land higher up on the hills gets more sun. More sun = happy grapes = good wine. It's why Piedmont (or Piemonte) is considered to be Italy's best wine growing region.

One of the world’s most popular grapes, Chardonnay is made in a wide range of styles from lean, sparkling Blanc de Blancs to rich, creamy white wines aged in oak.

Depending on how ripe the grapes get, the flavour ranges from crisp, clean citrus and green apple, to ripe peaches and tropical fruit. Notable Chardonnays can be found in France, California, Australia, England, and beyond.