Only 11 Vineyards Earn Platinum in Bigot Index

Only 11 vineyards out of more than 2,000 monitored across Italy and the Mediterranean were named “Platinum” in the latest edition of the Bigot Index, a vineyard assessment system created by Giovanni Bigot that has become a reference point for evaluating grape-growing potential through direct observation and scientific methods.

The vineyards recognized this year stretch from Mount Etna to Friuli, from Asolo to Valtellina, from the Langhe to Bolgheri, from Valpolicella to the Piacenza hills, and into Slovenia. They are tied to wineries including Cusumano, Sandrone, Michele Satta, Aldo Rainoldi, Loredan Gasparini, Marjan Simčič Domaine, Ferdinand, La Tosa, Ripa delle Volta, Sgubin Ferruccio and Tikveš Lepovo.

The Bigot Index no longer ranks vineyards by numerical score. Instead, it now divides them into two tiers of excellence: “Platinum” vineyards, which represent the highest level of quality identified in the field, and “Gold” vineyards, a broader group that also meets strict standards. The Platinum category accounted for just 0.5% of the vineyards monitored this year. The Gold category covered 2.5%, or 100 vineyards.

According to Perleuve, the company behind the system with Bigot, the 2025 growing season reinforced a point that many growers already see in practice: wineries that use a scientific, data-driven approach can improve grape quality consistently, even in difficult weather conditions. The company said the index is built on a simple idea: quality potential comes from the interaction between place, seasonal weather and human judgment in managing those variables. It said that human decision-making is now what most clearly separates top vineyards from the rest.

The monitoring takes place throughout the year and is designed to gather information that can guide agronomic decisions vineyard by vineyard rather than relying on standard methods across an entire estate. In a period marked by climate change and shifting market demands, Perleuve said this model offers a practical response to growing demand for wines with a clear sense of origin and identity.

The company said the vineyards honored in 2025 show how contemporary viticulture is changing, with more emphasis on knowledge, trained workers and close observation of each parcel. “Great wines are born in the vineyard,” Perleuve said.

Among the 2025 Platinum vineyards are Cusumano Alta Mora’s Guardiola site in Sicily for Nerello Mascalese; Ferdinand’s Pročno vineyard for Merlot; La Tosa’s Ca’ di Terra site for Sauvignon; Loredan Gasparini’s Spineda vineyard for Merlot; Marjan Simčič Domaine’s Trobno vineyard for Merlot; Michele Satta’s Vigna Nova for Syrah; Aldo Rainoldi’s Calvario vineyard for Nebbiolo; Ripa della Volta’s Vigna Palazzo for Friulano; Sgubin Ferruccio’s Restocina vineyard; Tikveš Lepovo’s Star nasad site for Cabernet Sauvignon; and Sandrone’s Talin vineyard in Le Coste di Barolo.

The Gold list includes additional vineyards across Italy and neighboring wine regions, among them sites linked to Cusumano Alta Mora, Marramiero, Castello di Cigognola, Gianfranco Alessandria, Ilaria Addis, Kyperounda Winery, Le Vigne di Zamò, Mauro Veglio, Monsupello, Nebó Winery, Siddura, ERT 1050, Adami, La Castellada, Radikon and Korenika&Moškon.