Alpine water visionary, Giacomo Oddero, revolutionized vineyards in Langhe by instituting a water supply system.
Unfiltered Tribute: Giacomo Oddero, A Legendary Wine Maestro and Institution Builder, Has Left Us
In the heart of the Piedmont region, the town of Alba bid a solemn farewell to Giacomo Oddero, a man who wore many hats - from a visionary winemaker to a respected pharmacist, a devoted public servant, and an ardent supporter of his beloved village and the region. At the grand age of 98, he left behind a rich legacy and a profound impact on the Langhe region, bidding adieu on April 23, 2025.
Giovan Battista Giacomo Oddero, born in the Santa Maria frazione of La Morra, embarked on a life that was always in the forefront. With a love for the vineyards in his heart since his teenage years, Giacomo did his first harvest at 15, marking the beginning of a lifelong devotion to the vines that would later cement his status as a renowned barolista. Following his academic pursuits, he attended the classical high school in Alba, graduating in 1946, and then earning a Pharmacy degree in 1950.
A natural leader, Giacomo dipped his toes into politics during the 1960s, standing out for his ability to listen as well as make tough choices. He became the mayor of La Morra in 1965, serving three years before moving on to other prestigious provincial roles. From 1970 to 1987, he was a provincial councilor and assessor for Agriculture; from 1976 to 1992, president of the Cuneo Chamber of Commerce; from 1990 to 1995, president of the Tourism Board. He was the last president of the Cuneo Savings Bank and served as the first president of the newly born Fondazione Crc from 1992 to 2006.
One of the largest infrastructural projects he was associated with was the development of the Langhe Aqueduct, a 700-kilometer network that delivered water to Langhe towns and beyond. The aqueduct, marked by its immense scale, served over 220,000 people and thousands of businesses, providing about a quarter of the province's water needs. Giacomo took immense pride in this achievement, calling it a "fundamental factor of progress for all."
His quaint tales and anecdotes from his tenure as mayor, epitomized by the emblematic episode about the apartment buildings, have become the stuff of local legend. Remembered with admiration, his dedication to his duties never wavered, even when faced with seemingly impossible obstacles.
In his long career as a public administrator, Giacomo showcased a rare blend of commitment, integrity, and foresight. A visionary man, his contributions to the Langhe region are an invaluable legacy to be cherished. "He always managed to see further and earlier than others," said Monica Ciaburro, a local MP.
As a pioneer in the wine industry, Giacomo played a crucial role in establishing Poderi Oddero’s reputation for single-vineyard Barolo wines, including the Vigna Rionda and Bussia Vigna Mondoca. Collaborating with his brother Luigi, he expanded production and helped solidify the Oddero family's status as one of Langhe's historic winemaking dynasties.
Giacomo Oddero's funeral services were held in Alba on April 24, 2025, followed by a burial in the cemetery of Santa Maria in his native La Morra. His legacy will live on, inspiring generations to come, and his memory will continue to brighten the wine-loving community he so dearly cherished.
The news of Giacomo Oddero’s passing triggered an outpouring of emotion throughout the Langhe region. In a statement, Alberto Gatto, the mayor of Alba, acknowledged, "Dr. Giacomo Oddero, a citizen of Alba, awarded the gold medal of our city in 2007, has passed away. He was a remarkable father of our Langhe. A man of institutions, of wine, a pharmacist in Via Maestra. In all fields, he has always earned the respect of everyone." Sixty-five years after graduating as a pharmacist, Giacomo's remarkable life comes to a close, leaving us with an abundance of treasured memories, iconic wines, and the impeccable legacy of a true dignitary.
- Giacomo Oddero's lifestyle, rooted in the heart of the Piedmont region, was marked by his diverse roles, including a visionary winemaker, a respected pharmacist, a devoted public servant, and an ardent supporter of his beloved village and the region.
- Giacomo Oddero's academic journey led him to attend a classical high school in Alba, where he graduated in 1946, and then he earned a Pharmacy degree in 1950.
- Assigning various prestigious roles, Giacomo's public service career spanned decades, as he served as the mayor of La Morra, provincial councilor and assessor for Agriculture, president of the Cuneo Chamber of Commerce, president of the Tourism Board, the last president of the Cuneo Savings Bank, and the first president of the Fondazione Crc.
- Averaging over 220,000 people and thousands of businesses, the Langhe Aqueduct, a project Giacomo was associated with, remains a testament to his commitment to the region's infrastructure development and progress.
