Barolo en Primeur 2025: When Wine, Territory and Solidarity Unite
Over €1.1 million raised for charity: the cooperative heart of the Langhe beats again in the vineyards of Cavour.
In the heart of the Langhe, beneath the timeless silhouette of Grinzane Cavour Castle, a project continues to flourish — one that transcends wine to become a true symbol of cooperation and generosity.
The fifth edition of Barolo en Primeur, promoted by Fondazione CRC, Fondazione CRC Donare ETS, and the Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani, set a new record: €1,108,300 raised in a single evening to support social and cultural projects in Italy and abroad.
This milestone crowns five years of growth and commitment — a collective achievement that has now surpassed €4.5 million in total donations, proving that when a territory works together, excellence can become a powerful tool for social good.
A Model of Territorial Cooperation
Barolo en Primeur is far more than a prestigious wine auction: it is a cooperative project that unites institutions, foundations, producers, and communities under a shared purpose.
The initiative brings together local excellence and social responsibility, involving more than 80 wineries that have each donated bottles gathered in eight municipal lots, representing eleven symbolic Barolo-producing towns.
Every edition strengthens this collaborative network. The Fondazione CRC and Donare ETS channel the proceeds to charitable initiatives, while theConsorzio and the participating wineries contribute their know-how and their finest wines.
Together, they embody a virtuous system that blends viticulture, philanthropy, and territorial promotion — turning wine into an instrument of hope and cooperation.
The Vigna Gustava: Symbol and Soul of the Project
At the center of this initiative stands Vigna Gustava, a vineyard rich in history and meaning. Once owned by Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, this is where the grapes that inspire the charity auction are born.
Under the guidance of oenologist Donato Lanati, each parcel of the vineyard is vinified separately according to altitude, exposure, and vine age revealing the deep complexity of its terroir.
Lanati often remarks that “a wine has no father; it is the child of its land. We are only its interpreters.” And sometimes, he adds with a smile, he feels as if Count Cavour himself were still observing the vineyard perhaps wondering what he would think today, seeing his land bloom once more as a symbol of solidarity and unity.
It was here, among these hills, that Cavour once dreamed of a united Italy, writing down his ideas in secret even before becoming Minister of Agriculture. Today, his vineyard produces not only fine Barolo but also represents a model of shared responsibility a modern embodiment of his vision of progress born from the countryside.
From the Langhe to the World
Barolo en Primeur has grown into a truly international event. The 2025 edition connected Grinzane Cavour live with New York and London under the gavel of Cristiano De Lorenzo, Managing Director of Christie’s Italy, while the final fifteenth lot will be auctioned on November 9th during the World White Truffle Auction, broadcast live with Hong Kong.
This global outreach reflects how a local treasure like Barolo can bridge cultures through generosity. The wines including 14 barriques of Barolo Gustava, each yielding 270 bottles are joined by 8 municipal community lots and a special tonneau of 400 liters that alone raised €360,000. Each bottle bears the artistic label “Self-devouring figure” by Giulia Cenci, a pencil-drawn hybrid self-portrait reflecting on identity, nourishment, and transformation perfectly aligned with the themes of giving and renewal that define the project.
Innovation also plays a key role: every bottle now features an invisible Autentico NFC digital tag, developed by Tesisquare and Autentico Srl, ensuring authenticity, traceability, and access to enological notes, tasting data, and even a live webcam on the Vigna Gustava.
Wine as a Vehicle of Solidarity
What makes Barolo en Primeur unique is its tangible impact.
Each lot is associated with a specific charitable initiative: from restoring historical buildings to supporting disability programs, from promoting art and education to funding medical research and maternal assistance.
Four of the communal lots will fund the Scuola Enologica di Alba and other local educational projects, while the remaining four will support charities chosen directly by the winning bidders. This synergy demonstrates how philanthropy can grow from the roots of a territory. Each donation tells a story — of the land, of its people, and of a shared belief that wine can nourish both body and community.
A Legacy for the Future
As Mauro Gola, President of Fondazione CRC, notes: “Exceeding one million euros is an extraordinary result. The strength of Barolo en Primeur lies in its formula: linking each donation to a single barrique makes solidarity concrete and accessible, engaging a wider audience each year.”
Giuliano Viglione, President of Fondazione Donare ETS, adds: “Barolo en Primeur is not just a wine event — it’s a symbol of collective participation. It proves that a great wine can be a vehicle for good, for culture, and for shared growth.
And as Sergio Germano, President of the Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani, summarizes: “The success of this project stems from both generosity and quality — from the excellence of Barolo and Barbaresco themselves. En Primeur represents an evolution in how we promote our wines, blending tradition with purpose.”