“Barolo en Primeur” No. 6: on October 23, meeting with the most important charity auction in Italy

By combining the charm of one of Italy and the world greatest wines, such as Barolo (which experienced its earliest harvest ever, yet, according to wineries such as Sandrone, Giacosa, Ceretto, Damilano, Clerico, Fontanafredda-Borgogno and Ettore Germano, will still deliver outstanding quality and elegance, as they told WineNews in this video), with tangible charitable support for local communities and beyond, “Barolo en Primeur”, the social responsibility project promoted by the Crc Foundation and Fondazione Crc Donare Ets together with the Consorzio del Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani, has in just a few years established itself as one of the wine world most important charity events. Over five editions, it has raised more than 4.5 million euros in support of nearly 100 social and cultural projects in Italy and around the world. Following the record-breaking 1,130,300 euros raised in 2025, the 2026 edition is now set to take place on October 23rd at Grinzane Cavour Castle, in the heart of the Unesco-listed Langhe, connected live with London and New York. Under the hammer of Cristiano De Lorenzo, Managing Director of Christie Italy, will be the 14 oak barrels of Barolo Gustava 2025, sourced from the historic vineyard at the foot of the castle itself, already planted with vines in the time of Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, and vinified by renowned winemaker Donato Lanati, head of Enosis Meraviglia. The fifteenth oak barrel, meanwhile, will be auctioned on November 8th during the World Alba White Truffle Auction, broadcast live from Grinzane to Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, at the October 23rd auction, which will also feature the “unconventional” performances of Federico Basso, one of Italy most acclaimed comedians, historic bottles will appear in the “Barolo en Primeur” catalog for the first time. A total of 31 lots (see focus list), featuring vintages dating back to 1996, including the celebrated 2010 and 2016 harvests, a vertical collection of three consecutive Cannubi vintages (2009-2011 signed by Damilano company), and a rare 5-litre bottle (Prunotto Barolo Bussia Vigna Colonnello 2012, from Antinori estate in the Langhe, ed). These bottles are part of the 7 municipal Barolo and Barbaresco lots, made possible through donations from 39 wineries belonging to the Consortium - Albino Rocca, Fratelli Alessandria, Angelo Negro, Antica Casa Vinicola Scarpa, Arnaldo Rivera Terre del Barolo, Azelia, Fratelli Barale, Ca’ Viola, Cascina Morassino, Cavallotto, Giacomo Conterno, Giovanni Corino, Costa di Bussia, Damilano, Domenico Clerico, Ettore Germano, Famiglia Anselma, Fontanafredda, Fortemasso, Franco Conterno, Garesio, Livia Fontana, Marchesi di Barolo, Massolino, Mauro Marengo, Mauro Molino, Olivero Mario, Pelissero, Pio Cesare, Poderi Colla, Poderi Marcarini, Prunotto (Antinori), Renato Ratti, Rizzi, Rocche Costamagna, San Biagio, Sartirano, Silvano Bolmida e Tenuta Barac - alongside 6 lots representing the major Barolo municipalities - namely Barolo, La Morra, Serralunga d’Alba, Monforte d’Alba, Castiglione Falletto, Verduno and Novello - and one Barbaresco lot sourced from the municipalities of Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso. In total, the catalog includes 681 bottles, more than 660 liters of wine, comprising standard bottles, 112 magnums, 28 double magnums and one 5-liter bottle, featuring wines from some of the most celebrated crus of the two denominations, from Cannubi to Bussia, Villero to Vignarionda, and Rocche dell’Annunziata to Ginestra. Despite the historic bottles, the 2025 vintage remains the star of the municipal lots, accounting for 630 liters offered at auction.
Proceeds from the municipal lots, together with those from the oak barrels, will support the charitable projects backed by “Barolo en Primeur”. The 2026 edition will also continue its focus on guaranteeing the authenticity of the Vigna Gustava bottles: each bottle will be equipped with the “Autentico NFC” digital certification tag, developed by Tesisquare through its IoT Competence Center Elision in collaboration with innovative SME Autentico Srl. Hidden beneath the label and readable with any smartphone, the tag contains a unique, encrypted and unclonable code that certifies each bottle origin, traceability and integrity. It also provides access to a digital profile including Donato Lanati tasting notes, the en primeur assessment by Antonio Galloni, ceo of Vinous, and a live webcam view of Vigna Gustava and Grinzane Cavour Castle.
“Over five editions, we have raised more than 4.5 million euros and supported nearly one hundred projects focused on people and active in healthcare, social welfare, education and culture - declares Giuliano Viglione, president of the Crc Foundation Donare Ets - “Barolo en Primeur” arose with deep roots in its territory but has successfully reached a global audience, as demonstrated by bids that arrive every year from New York, London and Hong Kong. This sixth edition confirms a unique model of community philanthropy: every euro raised at auction is transformed entirely into social value”.
“Wine is going through a period of profound change, with evolving consumption patterns and increasingly complex traditional markets - affirms Sergio Germano, president of the Consortium of Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani - yet it is precisely in moments like these that the strength of a denomination is measured. The Liv-Ex Italy 100 index, tracking Italian fine wines, remains in positive territory while the global market declines, and the number of Italian producers featured among the world most influential has doubled over the past seven years. The vineyard itself also gives us confidence, as this year harvest shows very promising signs. Our task is therefore to tell the story of wine as food, culture and territory. “Barolo en Primeur” is the highest expression of this vision: the Langhe working together and placing its wine at the service of solidarity”.