The Wine Hunter, 100 wines from all regions of Italy competing for the “Platinum Awards”

From Cantina Tramin to Kellerei Andrian, from Kellerei St. Michael Eppan to Kellerei Terlan, from Marisa Cuomo to Quintodecimo, from Cantine Ceci to Umberto Cesari, from Marco Felluga to Bellavista, from Ca’ del Bosco to Cabochon, from Nino Negri to Villa Bucci, from Di Majo Norante to Marchesi di Barolo, from Montalbera to Gianfranco Fino Viticoltore, from Argiolas to Planeta, from Tasca d’Almerita to Castello del Terriccio, from Duemani to Félsina, from Il Borro to Il Marroneto, from Isole e Olena to Ornellaia, from Ridolfi to San Polo, from Tenuta di Biserno to Tenute Lunelli - Tenuta Podernovo, from Tua Rita to Maso Martis, from San Leonardo to Arnaldo Caprai, from Gerardo Cesari to Tedeschi, to Tommasi Viticoltori: these are just some of the wineries behind the 100 wines (in focus) nominated for the “Platinum Award”, the highest recognition awarded by The WineHunter Award by Helmuth Köcher, which WineNews previews in a “short list” of the best wines nominated for the award, which, for the first time, includes labels from all regions of Italy. The winners will be announced on November 7, at the 34th Merano WineFestival (November 7-11, 2025, Merano).
“For the first time in the history of the guide, the top 100 wines by score represent all 20 Italian regions: a milestone that strongly confirms how the link between wine and territory is the true beating heart of Italian wine excellence. The extraordinary biodiversity, native varieties, and local appellations tell the story of a unique country, rich in nuances and identity”, says Helmuth Köcher. “This result”, he adds, “is not only a source of pride, but a call to action: we must increasingly strengthen the connection between wine and territory, because it is from this union that value is born. Value for international markets, where wine can become an ambassador for fascinating destinations, and value for wine tourism, which today represents one of the most promising levers for the sustainable development of our wine-growing areas. Wine is not just a product: it is culture, landscape, experience”.
With the online publication of the guide, which invites enthusiasts and professionals to the 34th Merano WineFestival. There are many events on the calendar: it starts on November 7, with a day dedicated to Taste Terroir - bio&dynamica, which shines the spotlight on the diverse world of organic and biodynamic wines, Equalitas and SQNPI certified viticulture, wines from Piwi resistant vines, amphora wines, and underwater wines. This will be followed by the WineHunter Award Platinum and WineHunter Stars awards ceremony, celebrating the stars that illuminate the world of food and wine. From Friday, November 7, to Monday, November 10, the GourmetArena will also be open, offering food, spirits, and craft beers accompanied by a series of live cooking shows. Between Saturday, November 8, and Monday, November 10, the Festival will take place, featuring Italian and international wine producers. On Tuesday, November 11, Catwalk Champagne&more will bring the event to a close with the best national and international classic method wines and more. Numerous national and international guests will be involved in the entire program, including talks, conferences, and masterclasses, all united by the common thread of excellence in the food and wine sector.

Focus - Wines nominated for the Platinum Award in Helmuth Köcher’s WineHunter Award guide
Abruzzo
Bio Cantina Sociale Orsogna - 2011 Nican Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Doc
Castorani - 2015 Dieci Inverni Colline Pescaresi Appassimento Igt
Marramiero - 2015 Dante Marramiero Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Riserva Doc

Alto Adige – Südtirol
Alois Lageder - 2022 Casòn Vigneti delle Dolomiti / Weinberg Dolomiten Bianco Igt
Arunda - Annata Arunda Cuvée Marianna Alto Adige / Südtirol Extra brut Metodo Classico Doc
Cantina Girlan - 2021 Curlan Alto Adige / Südtirol Riserva Pinot Noir Doc
Cantina Kurtatsch - 2018 Tres Alto Adige / Südtirol Riserva Doc
Cantina Tramin - 2023 Nussbaumer Alto Adige / Südtirol Gewürztraminer Doc
Kellerei Andrian - 2022 Tor di Lupo Alto Adige / Südtirol Riserva Doc
Kellerei St. Michael – Eppan - 2020 Appius Alto Adige / Südtirol Doc
Kellerei Terlan - 2012 Rarity Alto Adige / Südtirol Terlano Doc
Manincor - 2022 Mason di Mason Alto Adige / Südtirol Doc
Nals Margreid - 2021 Nama Alto Adige / Südtirol Chardonnay Doc
Schreckbichl Colterenzio - 2021 Lr Alto Adige / Südtirol Riserva Bianco Doc

Basilicata
Elena Fucci - 2021 Titolo 25th Anniversary Aglianico del Vulture Doc

Calabria
Bruni Mario - 2019 Survia Calabria Igt
Cantina Malena - 2017 Prestige Brut Metodo Classico VSQ

Campania
Marisa Cuomo - 2021 Ravello Costa D’amalfi Classico Rosso Riserva Doc
Mastroberardino - 2017 Stilèma Taurasi Riserva Docg
Quintodecimo - 2020 Vigna Grande Cerzito Taurasi Docg
Terre Stregate - 2020 Cara Cara Benevento / Beneventano Igt

Emilia-Romagna
Cantine Ceci - Otello Ceci Nero di Lambrusco N°5 Emilia Dry, sec Igt
Tenuta del Paguro - 2023 Ostrea In Fundo Ravenna Classico Igp
Umberto Cesari - 2022 Umberto Rubicone Igt

Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Livon - 2023 Braide Alte delle Venezie Igt
Marco Felluga - Russiz Superiore - 2024 Amani Marco Felluga Collio Friulano Doc
Monviert - 2022 Friuli Colli Orientali Riserva Friulano Doc

Lazio
Casale del Giglio - 2020 Radix Lazio Igt

Liguria
La Baia del Sole Federici - 2021 Giulio F. 56 Extra brut Metodo Classico UnderWaterWine VSQ
Possa - 2018 Uww Cinque Terre Sciacchetrà Classico Dop

Lombardy
Bellavista - 2018 Vittorio Moretti Franciacorta Brut nature Riserva Docg
Ca’ del Bosco - 2015 Franciacorta Brut nature Docg
Cabochon - Fuoriserie N. 025 Franciacorta Brut Docg
La Travaglina - 2012 Julillæ Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico Brut Docg
Nino Negri - 2022 Sfursat 5 Stelle Sforzato di Valtellina Nebbiolo Docg
San Michele - 2022 Otten6 Capriano del Colle Superiore Doc

Marche
Tenuta San Marcello - 2022 Indisciplinato Marche Igt
Tenuta Villa Bucci - 2021 Villa Bucci Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Riserva Docg

Molise
Di Majo Norante - 2021 Don Luigi Molise Riserva Doc

Piedmont
Amistà - 2020 Nizza Riserva Docg
Bovio Gianfranco - 2021 Barolo Arborina Docg
Braida - 2022 Bricco dell’Uccellone Barbera d’Asti Docg
Carlo Giacosa - 2022 Barbaresco Montefico Docg
Conterno Fantino - 2021 Vigna Pressenda Barolo Castelletto Docg
Domenico Clerico - 2021 Ciabot Mentin Barolo Ginestra Docg
Franco Ivaldi - 2022 La Gilarda Monferrato Freisa Doc
Giacomo Borgogno & Figli - 2021 Barolo Cannubi Docg
La Scolca - 2013 Soldati La Scolca d’Antan Brut Metodo Classico Millesimato VSQ
Marchesi di Barolo - 2021 Barolo Cannubi Docg
Montalbera - 2022 Il Fondatore Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato Riserva Docg
Pier Paolo Grasso - 1998 Piccola Emma Barbaresco Riserva Docg
Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Gresy - 2020 Camp Gros Martinenga Barbaresco Riserva Docg

Apulia
Gianfranco Fino Viticoltore - 2022 Jo Salento Negroamaro Igt
San Marzano Vini - 2020 Sessantanni Primitivo di Manduria Dop

Sardinia
Antonella Corda - 2021 Ziru Isole dei Nuraghi Igt
Argiolas - 2021 Turriga Isole dei Nuraghi Rosso Igt
Le Anfore di Elena Casadei - 2023 Cannonau di Sardegna Doc
Pedra Majore Vini Isoni - 2024 Hysony Vermentino di Gallura Superiore Docg
Silvio Carta - 2002 Vernaccia di Oristano Doc

Sicily
Baglio Curatolo Arini 1875 - 2010 Vergine 2010 Marsala Riserva Vergine Doc
Giovanni Rosso - 2024 Etna Pietra Marina Bianco Dop
La Contea - 2019 Etna Est! Etna Brut Metodo Classico Millesimato Doc
Maria di Bella Vino Nibali di Domenico Nibali - 2016 Vinazzu Terre Siciliane Igp
Planeta - 2024 Noto Passito Doc
Tasca d’Almerita - 2021 Contrada Sciaranuova Etna Doc
Terra Costantino - 2020 Contrada Blandano Etna Riserva Rosso Doc

Tuscany
Avignonesi - 2011 Vin Santo di Montepulciano Occhio di Pernice Doc
Castello del Terriccio - 2020 Lupicaia Toscana Igt
Duemani - 2021 Duemani Costa Toscana Cabernet Franc Igp
Fattoria Le Pupille - 2022 Saffredi Toscana Igt
Félsina - 2021 Colonia Chianti Classico Gran selezione Docg
Fontodi - 2022 Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale Igt
I Balzini - 1999 White Label Colli della Toscana Centrale Igt
Il Borro - 2019 Alessandro Dal Borro Valdarno di Sopra Doc
Il Marroneto - 2020 Selezione Madonna delle Grazie Brunello di Montalcino Classico Docg
Isole e Olena - 2022 Cepparello Toscana Igt
Monteverro - 2021 Monteverro Toscana Igt
Ornellaia - 2022 Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Doc
Ridolfi - 2019 Mercatale Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Docg
San Polo - 2020 Vignavecchia Brunello di Montalcino Docg
Tenuta di Biserno - 2022 Biserno Toscana Igt
Tenute Lunelli - Tenuta Podernovo - 2019 Auritea Costa Toscana Igt
Tua Rita - 2022 Redigaffi Toscana Igt
Vecchie Terre di Montefili - 2020 Bruno di Rocca Toscana Igt
Vigna delle Sanzioni - 2023 Valdarno di Sopra Doc

Trentino
Cantina Toblino - 2020 Da Fora Trentino Doc
Maso Martis - 2015 Madame Martis Trento Doc Brut Riserva
San Leonardo - 2020 San Leonardo Vigneti delle Dolomiti / Weinberg Dolomiten Classico Igt

Umbria
Arnaldo Caprai
2021 25 Anni Montefalco Sagrantino Docg
Le Thadee - 2021 +128+ Prefillossera Spoleto Doc

Valle d’Aosta
La Crotta di Vegneron - 2020 Fumin "Mines" Valle D’Aosta Doc
Rosset Terroir - 2023 Sopraquota 900 Vdt

Veneto
Carlo Ferragù - 2021 Valpolicella Superiore Doc
De Buris - 2013 De Buris Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Classico Docg
Federico II Tenimenti Associati - Selvaggia Brut Metodo Classico Durello VSQ
Gerardo Cesari - 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Docg
Piccoli - 2015 La Parte Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Docg
Scriani - 2008 Twenty - 20° Anniversary Verona Rosso Igt
Tedeschi - 2018 Capitel Monte Olmi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Cru Docg
Tommasi Viticoltori - 2016 Ca’ Florian Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Classico Docg