The Knights gathered for the 330th Spring Chapter in Langa: at the Castle of Grinzane Cavour, Rosanna Minucci, Chief of Police of the Province of Cuneo, was appointed Honorary Knight.
There is a moment in the Langhe when winter truly loses its voice. It happens when the hills begin to breathe again, and the Castle of Grinzane Cavour fills once more with people, different languages, handshakes, and raised glasses.
It was here, on Sunday, March 22, that the 330th Spring Chapter in Langa took place—the first event of the year for the Order of the Knights of the Truffle and Wines of Alba. A moment that is not only a celebration, but also a reflection on what this land has been—and what it is becoming.
The day opened with a look toward the future of the vineyard. Professor Giorgio Gambino guided attendees through a journey of research and sustainability, addressing a topic as current as it is complex: the evolution of viticulture in the Langhe and Roero.
On one side, PIWI grape varieties, capable of resisting disease and reducing the need for treatments; on the other, the risk of losing the identity that makes these landscapes and their wines so unique.
Yet the real challenge—clearly emerging throughout the discussion—is finding balance. This is where research on native grape clones comes into play: a quiet, ongoing effort aimed at preserving the authentic character of traditional varieties while enhancing their resilience. Tradition and innovation, not as opposites, but as allies.
At the heart of the ceremony, reflection gave way to ritual. Grand Master Tomaso Zanoletti appointed eleven new Knights, welcoming fresh energy into the Order, while its outlook continues to expand beyond Italy’s borders, including the upcoming Norwegian Delegation.
A particularly meaningful moment was the awarding of the Honorary Knight Collar to Rosanna Minucci, Chief of Police of the Province of Cuneo. A recognition that highlights the deep connection between institutions and territory—between those who protect it every day and those who promote it worldwide.
Then, as with every Chapter, came the time for conviviality. In the halls of the Castle, the official lunch curated by Chef Alessandro Mecca became a parallel narrative, where dishes were paired with wines from the 50th Selection of the Great Wines of Alba. A dialogue of flavors that is, in itself, both memory and vision.
Il 330° Capitolo non è stato solo un evento, ma un punto di partenza. Un modo per ribadire che le Langhe non sono un territorio immobile, cristallizzato nella sua bellezza, ma un organismo vivo, capace di interrogarsi e rinnovarsi.
The 330th Chapter was not just an event, but a starting point. A reminder that the Langhe is not a static, crystallized landscape, but a living organism—capable of questioning itself and evolving.
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