IN BREVE
- Barolo en Primeur has raised €1,108,300 for social and cultural projects, surpassing €4.5 million since 2021.
- The auction put 5,525 liters of Barolo and Barbaresco under the hammer with participation from Italy, the USA, and the UK.
- Each lot supports charitable initiatives, and some will be destined for the Alba Enological School.
- The ‘Autentico NFC’ tag guarantees the authenticity of the bottles and provides traceability information.
- The success of the event demonstrates the solidarity and growing participation of the community.
A new record for Barolo en Primeur, the international charity auction promoted by Fondazione CRC and Fondazione CRC Donare ETS with the Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani. The fifth edition, held at the Castle of Grinzane Cavour, raised €1,108,300 during the main evening alone. These funds are destined for social and cultural projects in Italy and around the world.
From 2021 to today, the project has raised a total of over €4.5 million in funds in support of nearly one hundred non-profit initiatives. To this figure will be added the proceeds from the fifteenth lot, which will be auctioned on November 9 during the Alba White Truffle World Auction. The auction will be live-streamed with Hong Kong.
5,525 LITERS OF BAROLO AND BARBARESCO AT AUCTION ACROSS ITALY, NEW YORK, AND LONDON
Under the gavel of Cristiano De Lorenzo, director of Christie’s Italy, 14 main lots were auctioned. These lots were broadcast via live stream with Christie’s New York and 67 Pall Mall in London. Each lot corresponds to a barrique of Barolo Gustava, vinified separately by enologist Donato Lanati. The vinification is based on the parceling of the vineyard by exposure, altitude, and age of the vines. Each barrique will yield 270 bottles at the end of the 38-month aging period required by the production regulations.
Alongside these, over 80 wineries from the Consortium donated their wines, grouped into 8 municipal lots representing 11 symbolic municipalities of the denomination. In total, there were 914 bottles including standard, magnum, jeroboam, and rehoboam formats. Closing the event was the Tonneau di Vigna Gustava, consisting of 400 liters of Barolo sold for €360,000. Overall, the 2025 edition auctioned 5,525 liters of Barolo and Barbaresco. Participants came from Italy, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
SOLIDARITY AND TERRITORY: FROM SOCIAL PROJECTS TO THE ALBA ENOLOGICAL SCHOOL
Each lot supports a charitable project. These range from the restoration of historic buildings to the promotion of art and culture, from supporting people with disabilities to medical research, as well as education, scholarships, and welfare. The proceeds from four municipal lots will be destined for the Alba Enological School and other local projects. The other four lots will go to initiatives chosen directly by the winning bidders.
The evening was hosted by comedian Federico Basso, who alternated irony and reflection. Each bottle will be marked with the artist label “self-devouring figure” by Giulia Cenci, a pencil self-portrait reflecting on themes of identity, nourishment, and metamorphosis.
TECHNOLOGY, TRACEABILITY, AND NEW GUARANTEES OF AUTHENTICITY
A new feature of the 2025 edition is the introduction of the “Autentico NFC” tag, developed by Tesisquare with its IoT Competence Center Elision and the innovative SME Autentico Srl. Applied under the label, the tag contains a unique and encrypted code. It guarantees the authenticity, origin, and integrity of every bottle.
By scanning with a smartphone, users can access a digital file with traceability information. Furthermore, they can view the notes of Donato Lanati and the en primeur review by Antonio Galloni. A live webcam on Vigna Gustava and the Castle of Grinzane Cavour will also be available. Thanks to the collaboration with Fieramente Srl, the delivery of the lots will take place without shipping costs, ensuring a global and timely service.
RECORD-BREAKING BAROLO EN PRIMEUR 2025: THE STATEMENTS
“Exceeding one million euros by such a margin is an extraordinary result,” comments Mauro Gola, president of Fondazione CRC. “Barolo en Primeur 2025,” he continues, “confirms the success of a journey that began in 2021. It continues to grow in authority and participation. The strength of the project lies in its formula. The idea of associating each donation with a single barrique has made solidarity a concrete and accessible gesture.”
“It is extraordinary to see how Barolo en Primeur grows year after year, becoming not only a benchmark enological event but a true symbol of solidarity and collective participation,” says Giuliano Viglione, president of Fondazione Donare ETS. “The value of this project,” he adds, “lies in its ability to unite the territory with a global vision. The Langhe remains the beating heart, but the benefits extend far beyond local borders.”
SERGIO GERMANO: “LANGHE IN DIALOGUE WITH THE WORLD”
“The success of this fifth edition stems not only from the generosity of those who choose to donate, but above all from the extraordinary strength and quality of two unique wines like Barolo and Barbaresco,” concludes Sergio Germano, president of the Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani. “Barolo en Primeur,” he continues, “is now an international showcase capable of putting the Langhe in dialogue with collectors and markets all over the world.”
Barolo en Primeur 2025 exceeds one million euros: record-breaking auction in the Langhe. https://fondazionecrc.it/.
