Pepper mill in beechwood, black. Apart from metalworking, woodworking is the other ancient and traditional production method in the area where Alessi has its roots: the Strona valley in northern Piedmont, Italy. So as not to lose this precious link with tradition, in 1988 Alessi acquired the oldest original company in the valley, Battista Piazza 1865. A number of historic objects from the early 20th century have been reissued. Between the 1980s and 1990s, Ettore Sottsass, together with the young designers in his studio, was the main designer of the Twergi line in wood. This pepper mill is a classical form in turned wood, and it's perhaps the best Alessi design to use this material.