Madrid Hosts Casello D’Oro 2026 as Parmigiano Reggiano Honors Best Producers

Madrid Hosts Casello D’Oro 2026 as Parmigiano Reggiano Honors Best Producers

On February 18, Madrid played host to one of the most important dates on the Parmigiano Reggiano calendar. The Consorzio del Parmigiano Reggiano brought the third edition of the Casello d’Oro Awards to the Real Casino de Madrid, celebrating the 13 dairies that won the 2025 Parmigiano Reggiano Palii.

After Paris and London, the PDO symbol of Made in Italy chose the Spanish capital for an evening that mixed heritage, fine dining, and a clear message: this is a product with deep roots and a very modern outlook.

From Local Palii to an International Stage

For 13 years, the “Palio del Parmigiano Reggiano” competitions have taken place within the cheese’s area of origin. Each year, wheels aged 24 to 26 months are judged, the point at which the PDO expresses its most balanced structure and aromatic profile.

The Casello d’Oro Awards give those local winners an international spotlight. In Madrid, the 13 champion dairies of the 2025 Palii were officially recognized in front of Italian and international media. The evening was hosted by Ilaria Mulinacci, known for her work with the 50 Best Restaurant Awards.

An international jury, including Maddalena Fossati Dondero, Manuel “Manu” Franco, Miyuki Murase, Cathy Strange, Eva Vila, and Carlos Yescas, carried out a blind tasting to award two Special Mentions. Both prizes, for best structure and best aromatic profile, went to Caseificio Sociale di Monzato from Traversetolo, Parma.

The 2025 Winning Dairies

The 13 awarded dairies represent the excellence of the production area:

• The 13 Winning Dairies of the 2025 Palii
• The dairies recognized in Madrid represent the best of this year’s competitions across the production area:
• Latteria Sociale La Mezzanese (Sorbolo Mezzani, PR) – Winner of the Palio dell’Artigianato di Soragna
• Colline di Canossa Cigarello (Carpineti, RE) – Winner of the Palio Bibbiano la Culla
• Rastelli Fratelli (Rubbiano di Solignano, PR) – Winner of the Palio di Pellegrino Parmense
• 4 Madonne Caseificio dell’Emilia (Valsamoggia plant, BO) – Winner of the Palio Città di Casina
• Caseificio Bucamante (Serramazzoni, MO) – Winner of the Palio del Frignano and the Palio Città di Casina with a 40-month cheese
• Caseificio Croce (Pegognaga, MN) – Winner of the Palio dei Caseifici dell’Oltrepò Mantovano
• Caseificio Sociale di Monzato (Traversetolo, PR) – Winner of the Palio di Montechiarugolo
• Caseificio Sociale Castellazzo (Campagnola Emilia, RE) – Winner of the Palio di San Lucio
• Caseificio Sociale Fior di Latte (Gaggio Montano, BO) – Winner of the Palio di San Petronio
• 4 Madonne Caseificio dell’Emilia (Lesignana plant, MO) – Winner of the Palio GustiaMo
• Oratorio San Giorgio (Carpi, MO) – Winner of the Palio GustiaMo with a 40-month cheese
• Casearia Castelli Srl (Reggio Emilia) – Winner of the Palio Teatro della Natura
• Together, they showcase the diversity of styles and micro-territories that define the PDO.

A Strategic Moment for Spain

Madrid was a deliberate choice. Spain has become one of Parmigiano Reggiano’s most promising European markets, importing more than 1,800 tons per year, up 2.5 percent year on year and slightly above the average growth abroad.

The event also marked the launch of a new multichannel campaign in Spain, backed by around €1 million in investment for the first half of the year. At its center is the 20-second commercial “Più grande, insieme” (“Greater, Together”), which connects the product’s thousand-year history with contemporary lifestyles and shared moments at the table. The spot is airing across major Spanish networks and supported by digital and out-of-home activity.

More than an awards ceremony, the Casello d’Oro in Madrid positioned Parmigiano Reggiano as both heritage product and modern icon. Not just an ingredient, but a symbol of craft that continues to find new audiences across Europe.

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