On November 9, the UNESCO-protected Castello di Grinzane Cavour was filled with the scent of white gold and the sweet sound of charity at the 26th World Alba White Truffle Auction®
This was an evening where luxury and philanthropy united in perfect harmony, raising an impressive €502,000 for international causes.
The indisputable star of the night was a 1,009-gram Alba white truffle, regally presented by Trifulau President Mario Aprile and his trusted truffle-hunting dog, Lady. The spectacular specimen fetched 1 million Hong Kong Dollars (€110,000) – and, like so many treasures of the evening, made its way to the world’s unofficial capital of truffles: Hong Kong.
Inside the castle’s historic halls, anticipation was as exquisite as the delicacies themselves. Three additional Alba white truffles (249g, 331g, and 402g) went under the hammer, alongside the coveted Barolo En Primeur Barrique No. 15, which sold for €22,000, also to a Hong Kong bidder. The accompanying wine auction alone reached a remarkable €1,130,300.
Since 1999, the charity auction has raised more than €7.7 million, supporting life-changing initiatives across the globe. This year’s proceeds will benefit organizations including Every Child Is My Child Onlus (Italy), Mother’s Choice Institute (Hong Kong), SPCA (Singapore), Acker Österreich, North Kinangop Hospital (Kenya), as well as children’s welfare and youth sports programs in Frankfurt, Brazil, and Thailand.
The evening also delivered unmatched glamour: hosted by Caterina Balivo, Enzo Iacchetti, and Paolo Vizzari, it welcomed distinguished guests such as Vittoria Puccini, Anna Foglietta, Andrea Bosca, Stefania Rocca, and sports legend Stefano Tacconi, alongside prominent political figures from Piedmont.
A night where the world’s rarest delicacy became more than a luxury—the white truffle shone as a diamond of goodwill, illuminating a brighter future for those who need it most.
Video via QuotidianoNazionale on YouTube
All photographs courtesy Enoteca Regionale Piemontese Cavour
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