The Vinitaly Design Award 2025 Gala was hosted last night at the Teatro Ristori in Verona, paying true homage to the creativity applied to worlds of wine, spirits, extra virgin olive oil and craft beers. The award promoted by Veronafiere acknowledges excellence in packaging design for an event replete with vision, talent and design culture.
The competition was held under the artistic direction of designer Mario Di Paolo once again this year, while the quality of selected entries was assured by an exceptional jury of 30 experts from various design sectors, the luxury packaging supply chain, large-scale distribution, e-commerce and specialist media. The jury included - to mention but few names - –Antonella Andriani, Vice President of ADI-Compasso d'Oro, Simonetta Doni, Founder and CEO of Doni & Associati, a pioneer in Italy of wine design as a strategic branding lever, and Daniele Colombo, Beverages Category Manager at Esselunga, one of the leading Italian experts in the modern retail trade.
The Gala Evening also saw the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 to Gavino Sanna, one of the founding fathers of communication in Italy, for his enduring and visionary impact on the world of advertising and design.
Awards were made in 20 categories, each involving four trophies: Black, Gold, Silver and Bronze. These were equally joined by 11 Special Awards, including two Best in Show presented ex aequo to “Laus Vitae” by Citra Vini (Spazio di Paolo) and “5th Element Gin” by Distilleria Eterea (Dario Frattaruolo Design Studio), for absolute excellence in combining aesthetics, technical innovation and identity narrative.
The Black Award in the White Wine category went to the “Il Bianco” project by Do Man (Killeridea). In the Red Wine category, the Black award went to “Laus Vitae” by Citra Vini (Spazio di Paolo). As for Rosé Wine, the Black Award went to “Teméria” by Maria Faretra (Stefano Bracci). Victory in the Sparkling Wine category went to “Brut Nature 72” by Dolomis (Killeridea). The Fine Wine category saw the Black Award went to “Êra Passito” by Baglio di Pianetto (Spazio di Paolo). While the Timeless Wine category saw trophy awarded to “Buiano Chianti Classico” by Marchesi Antinori (Spazio di Paolo). The Modern Retail Wine category rewarded “Famiglia Pescato” by Brand Breeder (Spazio di Paolo) with the top prize. The Black Award in the Wine Restyling category went to “Nativae Montepulciano d'Abruzzo” by Tenuta Ulisse (Spazio di Paolo), while “Alaterra” by Davide Quintili (Durante Associati) won the Black Award for Illustrated Wines. The Concept category saw the Black Award go to “Anteprima” (Officina Grafica).
The Aromatized Wine/Cocktail Base/Soft Drink/No Alcohol category was Black Award taken by “Negroni Ready-to-Drink” by Sabatini Gin (Dario Frattaruolo), while the Liqueur Wine category saw “Êra Passito” by Baglio di Pianetto (Spazio di Paolo) come out on top again. The Series section saw “Mirata” by La Guardiense (D'Aroma Studio) grab the Black Award. “El Pul Bitter” by Grafical (Dario Frattaruolo) won the Limited Edition main award. While the Private Label category saw “Famiglia Pescato” wines by Brand Breeder (Spazio di Paolo) take the Award. The award in the Clear Spirits section went to “5th Element Gin” by Distilleria Eterea (Dario Frattaruolo) While the Black Award for Dark Spirits went to “Amaro Seneghe” by GAM (Basile ADV). In the Secondary Pack category, the Black Award went to “Olio della Corte” by Ca' del Bosco (Spazio di Paolo) - as well as in the Extra Virgin Olive Oil section. Lastly, the Beer category Black Award went to “Blackout” by Birrificio Ventitré (Basile ADV).
Special Awards 2025
The Best in Show and Lifetime Achievement Awards were also joined by the Best Coordinated Image Award was taken by “Olio della Corte Ca' Del Bosco which also won the Secondary Pack” prize (Spazio di Paolo), the Best Modern Retail Label Award for “Famiglia Pescato” by Brand Breeder (Spazio Di Paolo), the Best Illustration Award for “Querelle” by Tonutti Tecniche Grafiche (Massimiliano Gosparini), the Best Innovation Award to “Mater” of Profilia (Basile ADV) and the Best Use of Colour to “Edizione Speciale Cillario Barolo Family” by Ceretto (Spazio Di Paolo).
The Best Closure by Guala Closures Award went to “Conuvio Pinot Grigio”, Valdadige (Studio Poletto), the Best Use of Paper by Fedrigoni Award went to “San Clemente Montepulciano Zaccagnini” by Argea (Spazio Di Paolo), while the Best Use of Embellishments by Luxoro and the Best Use of Glass by Vetreria Etrusca Awards went respectively to “Aperitivo Mediterraneo” by Venturo (Robilant Associati) and “In Purezza - Nero D'Avola” by Baglio di Pianetto (Spazio Di Paolo).
The Agency of the Year Award was taken by Spazio di Paolo.
In addition to support by Guala Closures, Fedrigoni, Luxoro and Vetreria Etrusca, the Vinitaly Design Award 2025 also benefited from the contributions and collaboration of other excellent partners including as Cartes, Pozzoli, Sanfaustino Label, Relegno, Atru, F.lli Magro,Amorim Cork Italy and Antiga Graphics - all in support of the packaging supply chain which is increasingly synonymous with Made in Italy excellence.
All the other winners and photos of the packaging projects are available at the Competition landing page.