Heroic wines take center stage again
Vins Extrêmes 2025 Returns to the Forte di Bard
Mountain wines, the so-called heroic wines, always carry an emotional charge. In the case of Vins Extrêmes, they also offer a unique opportunity to discover exceptional bottles from across Europe. The event will return on 22–23 November 2025 at the Forte di Bard (Aosta, Italy), bringing together the best of extreme-terrain viticulture for the fourth edition of this international showcase.
Organized by CERVIM (the Research, Study, Protection, Coordination and Promotion Center for Mountain Viticulture) in collaboration with the Autonomous Region of Valle d’Aosta, the Chambre Valdôtaine, and the Forte di Bard Association, the event celebrates a form of winemaking that preserves biodiversity and cultural heritage in some of the world’s most challenging landscapes.
Two Days Dedicated to Wines Born on Slopes and High Altitudes
More than 50 winemakers from 11 Italian regions and producers from Albania, Germany, and Switzerland will take part, along with five guest regions representing heroic viticulture across Europe. Tastings will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., offering visitors the chance to sample wines born from steep terraces, rugged hillsides, and isolated islands.
The winemakers who take part in Vins Extrêmes tell stories of courage, landscape stewardship, and local identity,” says Nicola Abbrescia, President of CERVIM. “Promoting heroic viticulture through events like this strengthens a sustainable model of living and working in the territory, one capable of facing the environmental and social challenges of the future.”
Awards, Masterclasses and Talks Between Landscape and Sustainability
The event opens on Saturday, 22 November, with the official inauguration and the launch of the first issue of Viticoltura Eroica, a new CERVIM publication dedicated to the people, regions, and challenges of this sector. Immediately following will be the award ceremony of the Mondial des Vins Extrêmes, the world’s only wine competition dedicated exclusively to heroic viticulture, now in its 33rd edition. This year, 77 Grand Gold Medals and 221 Gold Medals will be presented, with all award-winning wines available for tasting throughout the weekend.
The program continues with masterclasses and guided tastings led by renowned sommeliers and wine experts from AIS (Italian Sommelier Association): “Wines Born on Terraces” with Marco Rezzano, “Island Wines” with Alberto Levi, “High-Altitude Wines” with Roberto Cipresso, and “A Look to the East: From the Balkans to the Caucasus” with Guido Invernizzi.
On Sunday, a series of wine talks and institutional meetings will explore sustainability and future trends. The round table “Mountain Agriculture as a Guardian of Biodiversity”, promoted by the Region of Valle d’Aosta and the IAR (Institut Agricole Régional), will focus on the environmental and social role of mountain farming.
I firmly believe that heroic viticulture, and mountain agriculture more broadly, must be valued for their deep connection with the land,” notes Marco Carrel, Regional Councillor for Agriculture and Natural Resources. “It’s no coincidence that we chose this event to celebrate Italy’s National Agriculture Day.”
A Showcase of Tradition, Culture and Tourism
The Forte di Bard, a historic fortress overlooking the Aosta Valley, provides an evocative setting for this celebration of mountain wines. “Bringing the excellence of heroic viticulture within the walls of the Forte means blending culture, gastronomy and tourism,” comments Ornella Badery, President of the Forte di Bard Association. “It’s a commitment we carry forward all year long.
For Roberto Sapia, President of the Chambre Valdôtaine, Vins Extrêmes is “a key event for the regional wine economy, a stage of excellence where local producers can express their values and engage in meaningful exchange with peers from across Europe.”
Practical Information
- Dates: Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 November 2025
- Location: Forte di Bard, Aosta Valley, Italy
- Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Tickets: €25 (1 day), €40 (2 days)
- Discounts: €20 (1 day) / €35 (2 days) for AIS, FISAR, ONAV, and Slow Food members, and groups of over 25 people
- Masterclasses: €20, available online or at the venue
- Parking: Free, with shuttle service to the Forte
- Website: www.vins-extremes.it