Castel San Pietro Terme Becomes Italy’s Honey Capital Again: “Tre Gocce d’Oro” Back in September with Record Figures

From September 19 to 21, 2025, Castel San Pietro Terme will host the 45th edition of “Tre Gocce d’Oro – Grandi Mieli d’Italia”, the national honey competition promoted by the National Honey Observatory, along with the beekeeping events that every year represent the most important and well-attended appointment for Italian professional beekeeping, with in-depth discussions and promotional initiatives.

Three days combining scientific rigor, sectoral political debate, culture, and entertainment, once again making the city the Italian capital of honey.

The 2025 edition of the competition is truly memorable, as the figures unequivocally demonstrate:

• 599 participating beekeepers

• 1,800 honeys from all over Italy

• In addition to physicochemical and pollen analyses, the honeys were submitted to sensory analysis involving 149 registered sensory analysis experts.
  

Thanks to a unique effort worldwide for its breadth and accuracy, the following results were achieved:

• Total awarded honeys: 631

  • 1 Gold Drop: 360

  • 2 Gold Drops: 248

  • 3 Gold Drops: 23

• Total awarded beekeepers: 322

All results will be announced on Sunday, September 21, at the close of three days filled with scientific conferences, exchanges between producers, research, and institutions, without neglecting culture and entertainment.

A highlight will be the conference on Saturday, September 20 at 10:30 a.m. at Teatro Cassero, titled “Strategies for Relaunching Italian Beekeeping. CAP and National Tools to Overcome Production and Market Challenges.” This high-level event will feature experts, associations, and representatives of institutions such as Ministries, Regions, and research bodies. Among the speakers: Giancarlo Naldi, Director of the National Honey Observatory, together with Simona Pappalardo and Meri Raggi for the Observatory, researchers from CREA-PB, representatives from UNAAPI and CONAPI, as well as ISMEA and MASAF. Closing remarks will be delivered by Hon. Luigi D’Eramo, Undersecretary of MASAF with delegation to beekeeping.

On Saturday 20 and Sunday 21, the National Honey Fair will feature a large number of exhibitors and, for the first time, a section dedicated to educational activities aimed at promoting knowledge about bees, rural life, and agricultural products.

The event will culminate on Sunday, September 21, at 12:00 noon in Piazza XX Settembre with the awards ceremony of the “Tre Gocce d’Oro” competition, crowning the finest honeys in Italy. On this occasion, the new “Tre Gocce d’Oro 2025” Guide and App will also be presented. The ceremony will be hosted by Patrizio Roversi, well-known TV presenter, who will lead the morning celebration and reflection on the quality achieved by Italian honeys.

Alongside the scientific events, there will also be space for culture and entertainment: the photo exhibition dedicated to Andrea Paternoster, showcooking sessions from the project “The Flavors of Honey in Haute Cuisine” with Chef Igles Corelli, musical aperitifs, and outreach activities in the town squares. A rich program blending technical expertise with the popular spirit of the festival.

Program

Friday, September 19 – Teatro Cassero and Historic Center

• 10:30 a.m. – Teatro CasseroEco-schemes and Other CAP Measures: Results and Prospects. Possible Scenarios for the Post-2027 CAP.

• 2:30 p.m. – Teatro CasseroImprovement and Protection of the Quality of Italian Honeys and the Fight Against Adulteration.Closing remarks by Felice Assenza (Head of Department, ICQRF).

• 6:30 p.m. – Piazza AcquaderniHoney APEritivo with local products and tastings of Italian honeys, with live music.

• 8:30 p.m. – Teatro ArenaNot Only Honey – Waiting for the Band. Concert by Bandabardò with themed tastings and aperitifs.
  

Saturday, September 20 – Teatro Cassero and Piazza XX Settembre

• 9:00 a.m. – Piazza XX Settembre, Corso MatteottiReopening of the National Honey Fair.

• 10:30 a.m. – Teatro CasseroConference “Strategies for Relaunching Italian Beekeeping. CAP and National Tools to Overcome Production and Market Challenges”, with Hon. Luigi D’Eramo, Undersecretary of MASAF for beekeeping, and Regional Agriculture Councillor Alessio Mammi.

• 9:00 p.m. – Piazza XX SettembreItalian Honeys Under the Stars and Haute Cuisine. Showcooking with Igles Corelli, hosted by Patrizio Roversi, with music and comedy by Duo Idea.
  

Sunday, September 21 – Piazza XX Settembre

• 9:00 a.m.Reopening of the National Honey Fair.

• 10:00 a.m.Musical aperitif with the Castel San Pietro Terme City Band.

• 11:00 a.m.Institutional addresses and presentation of the new “Tre Gocce d’Oro 2025” Guide and App.

• 12:00 noonAwards ceremony of the “Tre Gocce d’Oro” competition, hosted by Patrizio Roversi.