World Auction of the Alba White Truffle 2026
Date of the event:
The 27th World Auction of the Alba White Truffle (Asta Mondiale del Tartufo Bianco d'Alba) was held on Sunday 8 November 2026 at Grinzane Cavour Castle (Castello di Grinzane Cavour), in the Province of Cuneo, involving nine countries through international video links. The event, now in its twenty-seventh edition, raised a total of 545,800 euros, the second-best result in the initiative's history [1].
The final lot
The auction's final lot, a specimen of Alba White Truffle made up of two twin pieces weighing 850 grams in total, accompanied by a selection of Piedmontese wines and a 20-kilogram Albertengo panettone, was won by a bidder in Hong Kong for 100,000 euros [1]. Before the final lot, three other truffles were auctioned, weighing 210, 250 and 300 grams: buyers included the Cherasco-based entrepreneur Mariano Costamagna and the Shanghai chef Weng Yongjun. The third lot, won and then put back up for auction by FIPE president Lino Stoppani, was won on the second re-offer by entrepreneur Guido Borghi [1].
International network and overall figures
The 2026 edition expanded the auction's network of links: alongside the established venues of Hong Kong, Bangkok and Vienna, Macau, London, Vilnius and Brasília took part for the first time, while the traditional link with the North Kinangop Catholic Hospital in Kenya continued [1]. The auction's symbolic journey covered a total of 41,428 kilometres, with Grinzane Cavour Castle as both starting and finishing point. Since 1999, when the initiative began, the total amount raised has reached 8,269,960 euros [1].
Use of the funds
The funds raised will support organisations working with vulnerable people, including Every Child Is My Child, an association founded by actress Anna Foglietta, the Piedmontese Foundation for Cancer Research in Candiolo (Fondazione Piemontese per la Ricerca sul Cancro di Candiolo), La Collina degli Elfi in Govone, and the Amici di Bruno Frea association of Corneliano d'Alba, which supports the hospital in North Kinangop, Kenya [1]. Part of the proceeds will also go to local associations and direct support for families in serious hardship. From Kenya came an account by Alba-born urologist Bruno Frea of the volunteers' work: thanks to the auction's contributions a new operating theatre has been built and construction has begun on a blood transfusion centre for an area with about 350,000 residents [1]. Funds raised at the international venues will also support organisations working in social welfare, healthcare and education in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Vienna, Macau, London, Vilnius and Brasília [1].
Hosts
The event was hosted by Caterina Balivo, together with journalist and food writer Paolo Vizzari [1].
Sources
- Cuneo24 — 8 November 2026