For Drop 26, we are heading to the hills of the Langhe — but not to one of the famous names or polished estates everyone already knows. This drop is about Alessandro Salvano, a winemaker who deliberately chooses his own path and lets the wine speak louder than the label.

Alessandro grew up in Montelupo Albese, a small village just outside the Langhe’s most prestigious appellations. It is a place that has traditionally received far less attention than neighbouring Barolo, despite sharing the same landscape, altitude and unmistakable Piedmontese identity. Instead of seeing that position as a disadvantage, Alessandro made it the foundation of his project.

In 2019, he created DWNL — Drink Wines, Not Labels. The name is both a provocation and a declaration of intent: forget classifications, famous villages and expectations. What matters is what is actually inside the bottle.

His vineyards sit at around 400 metres above sea level and are farmed organically. In the cellar, Alessandro works with whole clusters, spontaneous fermentations and a deliberately hands-off approach. Steel and cement preserve the freshness and energy of the fruit, while fining, filtration and unnecessary additions are avoided. The wines are raw and alive, but never without direction. There is freedom here, but also real precision.

Inside this box are three different expressions of Alessandro’s world: two vintages of Langhe Nebbiolo alongside a pure Dolcetto from 2024. The two Nebbiolos offer a rare opportunity to experience how vintage can change the shape, energy and expression of the same grape and place. The Langhe Rosso brings another side of Montelupo Albese: darker, juicier and more playful, but made with exactly the same uncompromising philosophy.

This is Langhe without prestige chasing or unnecessary polish. Three wines built around place, energy and instinct — and a winemaker who reminds us why we should drink wines, not labels.