Good news, ’tis the season for truffles and wine again! The white truffle from Alba with its aromatic elegance and sensory uniqueness finds an ideal companion in great local wines.
At the centre of this delicious Piedmontese combination is an exquisite selection of fine wines, curated in collaboration with the Consorzio Alta Langa and the Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani Consortium – true guardians of Piedmont’s oenological identity.
This experience is flanked by the Strada del Barolo e Grandi Vini di Langa, which takes visitors on a journey through vineyards and wine cellars. An experience as immersive as it is authentic. And an absolute must for truffle aficionados and wine connoisseurs.
Video by Strada Barolo on YouTube
After sparkling visits from Champagne (2021), courtly Burgundian sophistication (2022), Californian opulence (2023) and Rioja with its strong character (2024), this year’s fifth edition of Barolo en primeur is looking forward to welcoming delegations and wine institutions from South Tyrol. Barolo meets South Tyrol – the fifth edition of ‘Barolo en primeur’
What remains is the tried and tested concept. What remains is the fascinating dialogue between two regions that are different but united in their pursuit of excellence.
Whether on guided tours, high-calibre tastings or surprising pairings – platter and glass highlights leave no place for half-heartedness here: thoroughness, quality and high standards clearly take centre stage.
The 5th edition of the ‘Barolo en Primeur’ auction will take place on 24th October, 2025, within the venerable walls of the Castle of Grinzane Cavour. Under the hammer of Cristiano De Lorenzo, Director of Christie’s Italy and broadcast live to London and New York, will be 14 oak barrels of Barolo Gustava. The Gustava vineyard occupies most of a hill between 220 and 275 metres above sea level and literally faces in all directions. Against the backdrop of the Castello, the vineyard makes an imposing impression. No wonder, as it was once vinified in the time of the statesman and Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, to whom it belonged.
Each barrel not only tells a story of terroir and craftsmanship, but also supports a social project. It produces around 270 bottles of the finest Barolo, which must mature for at least 38 months in accordance with the specifications of the Consortium for the Protection of Barolo. Only then is it ready to be savoured or to be sold as a rare rarity.
Video by Fondazione CRC Donare on YouTube
On this day, the Castello will become the epicentre of an epicurean experience that combines rarity, prestige and solidarity.
Behind each of the 14 oak barrels that will go under the hammer at Barolo en Primeur 2025 is a name that is synonymous with precision in the world of oenology: Donato Lanati. The internationally renowned oenologist has analysed the Gustava vineyard and divided it into micro-parcels. Based on altitude, exposure and vine age, he vinified each parcel separately in order to get the best out of each terroir character and give each barrel a distinctive personality.
High-tech Meets Haute Cuvée
In an increasingly disruptive world, there is a growing need for an environment that lives up to our values and expectations. Trust is becoming the decisive key here – as is authentic proximity to the product and the Gourmet. In the age of digitalisation and collector culture, exceptional taste alone is no longer enough. Barolo en Primeur 2025 is rethinking the concept of ‘authenticity’ and making it tangible.
In order to fully guarantee the origin and integrity of the Barolo from the historic Gustava vineyard, each of the 270 bottles per barrel is labelled with a digital NFC certification label. A scan is all it takes to open a personalised wine profile: from the year of harvest and barrel number to the exact parcel of origin. Supplemented by exclusive content such as the tasting notes by Donato Lanati, the en primeur rating by Antonio Galloni and a live webcam view of the Gustava estate and the iconic Castello di Grinzane Cavour.
A sign of maximum exclusivity is thus assigned to each barrique. A statement between tradition and technology, art and authenticity.
The fifteenth Barrique will go under the hammer at the World White Truffle Auction in Alba. This year, on 9 November 2025, an exclusive audience will gather at the Castello di Grinzane Cavour, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to witness a unique spectacle.
An Exclusive Event for Invited Guests
What begins in the glass or on the plate extends far beyond the palate: in the week leading up to the auction, a fantastic tasting experience unfolds that inspires wine connoisseurs and culture enthusiasts alike.
‘They are symbols of a region that has conquered the world thanks to the dedication of our winemaking families,’ says Sergio Germano, President of the Consorzio del Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani. And what a great way to conquer the world!
As is tradition, the 2025 charity auction will also be a stage for the great interplay of wine, art and charity – each bottle a coveted collector’s item that carries meaning beyond ownership.
The Italian artist Giulia Cenci, a young voice on the contemporary art scene, is responsible for this year’s edition. Honoured with the Baloise Art Prize (Art Basel, 2019), the Premio Cairo (2021) and nominated for international prizes such as the Maxxi Bvlgari Prize, Cenci 2025 brings a work to the bottle that is as fragile as it is powerful. Her label: ‘Self-devouring figure’ – a delicate pencil drawing, a hybrid self-portrait that moves between human and plant, between visibility and concealment, between self and other. A face that is partially covered by a flower – a picture that deliberately leaves open whether it is about fusion, nourishment or dissolution.
This poetic ambiguity is more than just a visual gimmick – it reflects the deeper values of Barolo en Primeur: identity, metamorphosis, generosity and the beauty of sharing.
From the 20th to 26th October, each winery will offer the chance to book an exclusive tasting experience for anyone wishing to learn more about the en primeur wine world.
Our friends in Club Vivanova are also organising a Barolo Wine and Truffle weekend in November – further details on their website.
Save the date: Public dinner: Castello di Roddi, 29th November (Friday/Saturday).
CONTACT DETAILS
Castello di Grinzane Cavour
Via Castello, 5
12060 Grinzane Cavour CN
Italy
TEL: +39 01 73 26 21 59
All photos as credited; lead image courtesy Barolo & Castles Foundation – WiMu
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