{"id":5005,"date":"2025-11-18T12:43:07","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T11:43:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.castellogrinzane.com\/?p=5005"},"modified":"2025-11-18T13:03:54","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T12:03:54","slug":"final-press-release-2025-world-alba-white-truffle-auction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.castellogrinzane.com\/en\/news-ed-eventi-en\/final-press-release-2025-world-alba-white-truffle-auction\/","title":{"rendered":"FINAL PRESS RELEASE \u2013 2025 WORLD ALBA WHITE TRUFFLE AUCTION"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the Castle of Grinzane the XXVI World Alba White Truffle Auction<\/strong>\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong>, with \u20ac502,000 raised for charity<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
40,482 KM COVERED, STARTING FROM THE ENOTECA REGIONALE PIEMONTESE CAVOUR AND CONNECTING 4 CONTINENTS, WITH THE EVENT\u2019S FINAL LOT FLYING TO HONG KONG FOR ONE MILLION HONG KONG DOLLARS<\/strong><\/h5>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once again, Hong Kong is the undisputed queen of the World Alba White Truffle Auction<\/strong>\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong>, now in its 26th edition<\/strong>, held at the Castle of Grinzane Cavour<\/strong> \u2013 a UNESCO World Heritage Site that hosts the Enoteca Regionale Piemontese Cavour<\/strong> (Regional Enoteca of Piedmont Cavour), organizer of the event \u2013 to celebrate the most precious diamond of the earth, paired with large formats of Barolo DOCG<\/strong>, Barbaresco DOCG<\/strong>, and the wines of the producers belonging to the Consortium<\/strong>for the <\/strong>Protection<\/strong> of Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe and Dogliani<\/strong>, ambassadors around the world of the iconic hills of Langhe, Roero and Monferrato<\/strong>, together with the giant \u201cmade in Piedmont\u201d Panettoni of 10 kg and 20 kg, signed by Albertengo<\/strong>, a historic company from Torre San Giorgio, in the province of Cuneo, which produces one and a half million festive leavened products every year.<\/p>\n

A total of 502,000 euros<\/strong>, destined for charitable projects in Italy and around the world, were raised in this edition of the charity event held on Sunday, November 9<\/strong> \u2013 made possible thanks to the valuable support of the Piedmont Region<\/strong>, ENIT \u2013 Italian National Tourist Board<\/strong>, the Langhe Monferrato Roero Tourism Board<\/strong>, the International Alba White Truffle Fair<\/strong>, the National Centre for the Study of Truffles<\/strong>, and the Order of Knights of the Truffle and Wines of Alba<\/strong> \u2013 during which numerous philanthropists, connected live from Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Vienna, Frankfurt<\/strong>, and, for the first time, Rio de Janeiro<\/strong>, competed in a solidarity-driven bidding contest for the acquisition of extremely precious lots of Tuber magnatum Picco<\/em>.<\/p>\n

THE FIGURES OF SOLIDARITY<\/strong><\/p>\n

The highlight of the event was the final lot, consisting of a very rare triple truffle weighing <\/strong>1,009 grams<\/strong>, unearthed in the Roero area and presented by Mario Aprile, president of the Union of Piedmontese Trifulau Associations, together with his little dog Lady. The lot was awarded in Hong Kong<\/strong> for the remarkable sum of 110,000 euros<\/strong>, equivalent to 1 million Hong Kong dollars<\/strong>.
\nIn the auction room at Grinzane Cavour, the gavel also fell on three other specimens of Alba White Truffle, weighing 249, 331, and 402 grams, awarded respectively to Alessia Bertolotto<\/strong>, entrepreneur from Cuneo and General Manager of Marcopolo Environmental Group; Mariano Costamagna<\/strong>, entrepreneur from Cherasco; and a Chinese tourist, teacher Roy Yu<\/strong>.
\nAlso noteworthy was the awarding of the final lot of the \u201cBarolo en Primeur\u201d Auction<\/strong>, the fifteenth barrique of Nebbiolo, sold in Hong Kong for 22,000 euros, bringing the total amount raised to exceed one million euros (1,130,300 euros).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

INTERNATIONAL CHARITY<\/strong><\/p>\n

From 1999 to today, the total amount raised has surpassed 7.7 million euros (with the impressive figure of 7,724,160 euros<\/strong>, to be precise).
\nThe funds raised this year in Italy will support the Every Child Is My Child Onlus Association<\/strong>, the Emiliano Mondonico Association<\/strong>, the North Kinangop Hospital in Kenya<\/strong> \u2013 which was also connected live with Grinzane Cavour \u2013 along with many other charitable initiatives.
\nHong Kong will allocate the funds to the Mother\u2019s Choice Institute<\/strong> (dedicated to helping children most in need); Singapore to the SPCA \u2013 Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals<\/strong>, the only community veterinary clinic in Singapore; Vienna to Acker \u00d6sterreich<\/strong> (a charitable organization active in improving the understanding and appreciation of natural food, sustainability, and agriculture); and Frankfurt to the Youth Cup<\/strong> for youth Paralympic sports.
\nIn Bangkok, the proceeds from the Auction will go to the Border Patrol Police School Foundation<\/strong>, under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, while in Brazil, the children of the favelas of Rio will benefit from the solidarity thanks to the Solar Meninos de Luz Association<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE GUESTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leading the Auction, a familiar presence at the Castle of Grinzane Cavour, was the long-standing host Caterina Balivo<\/strong>, joined once again by the charismatic Enzo Iacchetti<\/strong>, in a renewed partnership, and accompanied by gastronomic curator Paolo Vizzari<\/strong>.
\nAmong the distinguished guests \u2013 in addition to Roberto Bodrito<\/strong>, President of the Enoteca Regionale Piemontese Cavour; Marco Gallo<\/strong>, Regional Councillor of Piedmont for Mountain Development and Truffle Cultivation; Alberto Gatto<\/strong>, Mayor of the City of Alba; and Elena Grimaldi<\/strong>, Deputy Mayor of Grinzane Cavour \u2013 were actors Anna Foglietta<\/strong>, Andrea Bosca<\/strong>, and Vittoria Puccini<\/strong>, ambassadors of the Every Child Is My Child Onlus Association<\/strong>, together with Stefania Rocca<\/strong>, Daniel McVicar<\/strong>, and Fulvio Marino<\/strong>, the renowned baker from Alba.
\nTurning to the world of sports, the event also welcomed Claudio Sala<\/strong>, Renato Zaccarelli<\/strong>, Stefano Tacconi<\/strong>, and Clara Mondonico<\/strong>, daughter of the unforgettable Emiliano.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

LIVE CONNECTIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Hong Kong<\/span><\/b> \u2013 in the presence of Antonietta Cornacchia<\/b>, Deputy Consul General of Italy in Hong Kong; Mariano Rabino<\/b>, President of the Langhe Monferrato Roero Tourism Board; Sergio Germano<\/b>, President of the Consortium for the Protection of Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe and Dogliani; and Maria Pranzo<\/b> (Aret\u00e9 Food and Wine<\/i>) \u2013 hosted the event at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant \u201c8\u00bd Bombana\u201d, where Chef Umberto Bombana<\/b> crafted a memorable dinner.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

In Singapore<\/b>, the Auction took place at Chef Mirko Febbrile\u2019s <\/b>restaurant \u201cSomma\u201d, attended by Dante Brandi<\/b>, Ambassador of Italy to Singapore, with Gianfranco Garau<\/b>, Mayor of Grinzane Cavour, serving as liaison.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

In Vienna<\/b>, the venue was the Embassy of Italy, with Davide Tibaldi<\/b>, Councillor of Alba, coordinating the speeches of Giovanni Pugliese<\/b>, Ambassador of Italy, and Markus Pernusch<\/b>, Master of the Vienna delegation of the Order of Knights of the Truffle and Wines of Alba, during the dinner prepared by Chefs Luciano Tona<\/b> and Denis K\u00f6nig<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Frankfurt<\/span><\/b> once again hosted the event at Restaurant Brighella, led by Chef Leo Caporale<\/b>, connected together with Giovanni Minetti<\/b>, President of the Alta Langa Consortium.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

In Bangkok<\/b>, at the Four Seasons Hotel, the event was led by Chef Andrea Accordi<\/b>, supported by Chefs Paolo Vitaletti, Christian Martena, Davide Garavaglia, Andrea Susto,<\/b> and Gabriele Boffa<\/b>, connected \u2013 in the presence of Paolo Dionisi<\/b>, Ambassador of Italy to Bangkok \u2013 with Stefano Mosca<\/b>, Director of the International Alba White Truffle Fair, and Alberto Cirio<\/b>, President of the Piedmont Region<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Making its debut appearance, for an unprecedented Truffle breakfast, was the city of Rio de Janeiro<\/b>, hosting the event organized by the Bras\u00edlia, S\u00e3o Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro delegations of the Order of Knights of the Truffle and Wines of Alba, at the restaurant \u201cAlba\u201d, with Chef Michele Petenzi<\/b>, Mauro Carbone<\/b>, Director of the <\/span>National Centre for the Study of Truffles<\/span>, and Paolo Bongioanni<\/b>, Regional Councillor for Tourism, Trade and Agriculture of Piedmont.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

STATEMENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Roberto Bodrito, <\/strong>President of the Enoteca Regionale Piemontese Cavour:
\n<\/strong>\u201cIt is a great source of satisfaction to see how, edition after edition, the Auction continues to grow in renown, combining the promotion of our hills with solidarity, thanks to a prestigious array of participants who contribute to achieving the final result across the various international venues, which this year brought us together across four continents. Together with the Mayors of the City of Alba, Alberto Gatto<\/strong>, and the Municipality of Grinzane Cavour, Gianfranco Garau<\/strong>, we are delighted to support a range of charitable projects, expanding the scope of our connections while keeping our roots firmly anchored in tradition.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Alberto Cirio, <\/strong>President of the Piedmont Region, <\/strong>together with Regional Councillors Paolo Bongioanni <\/strong>(for Commerce, Agriculture and Food, Tourism, Sport and Post-Olympic Affairs, Hunting and Fishing, Parks), Marco Gallo <\/strong>(for Truffle Cultivation), and Marina Chiarelli <\/strong>(for Culture) stated: \u201cThanks to the live streaming between the Castle of Grinzane Cavour and prestigious venues in Hong Kong, Singapore, Vienna, Frankfurt, Bangkok, and Rio de Janeiro, this year once again the World Truffle Auction has repeated a small yet great miracle: that of introducing the \u2018gold of the Piedmontese soil\u2019 to distant and very different countries and markets, which are increasingly discovering the gastronomic, touristic, and cultural richness of our region, and offering them the opportunity to hear firsthand from chefs, ambassadors, experts, and producers the fascinating story of our excellent supply chains. The beauty of it all lies in the fact that the ambassador of this global promotion is a product inseparable from its small homeland, impossible to replicate elsewhere, and thus even more a true invitation to come and discover Piedmont in all its wealth of experiences.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Sergio Germano, <\/strong>President of the Consortium for the Protection of Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe and Dogliani: <\/strong>\u201cThe bond between truffle and wine is strong and indissoluble, a symbol of an enogastronomic tradition that represents Piedmont throughout the world. And the world recognizes us among the leaders, thanks to our traditional cuisine, Barolo DOCG, and Barbaresco DOCG, which elevate our territory to unique heights, thanks to the work of all the players in the supply chain, united in promoting these excellences with a concrete commitment to international solidarity.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Mariano Rabino, <\/strong>President of the Langhe Monferrato Roero Tourism Board:
\n<\/strong>\u201cCongratulations once again to the territory of Langhe Monferrato Roero for this extraordinary edition of the World Truffle Auction. In this special event, the primary goal is solidarity, and this year\u2019s results have once again exceeded all expectations. Hong Kong, as always, has played its part, in a venue where we are fortunate to collaborate with the renowned Italian Chef Umberto Bombana, a symbol of Italian excellence in the world and a great ambassador of the Alba White Truffle. A chef of Bergamasque origins, to whom the city of Alba is even more closely linked through the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy network.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Antonio Degiacomi, <\/strong>President of the National Centre for the Study of Truffles:
\n<\/strong>\u201cThe World Truffle Auction always provides major promotion, which must be matched by an equally strong commitment to safeguarding and expanding truffle-growing plants in the Piedmont areas, as described in the new \u2018Map of Potentialities\u2019.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Axel Iberti, <\/strong>President of the Alba Fair Authority: <\/strong>\u201cThe Alba White Truffle, a precious gift of nature, is also a symbol of balance and collaboration: it is born from the harmony between forest, soil, and humankind. Likewise, the results of this Auction are the fruit of the shared commitment among institutions, philanthropists, and friends who wished to take part in a concrete gesture of generosity and care for others, with the Tuber magnatum Picco serving as a pretext to convey the value of landscape, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship \u2014 with an increasingly international outlook, also strengthened by the agreement signed with the United Nations, which rewards our commitment to environmental, economic, and social sustainability.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n