National Wine Day 2026 in Moldova: 25 years of tradition, award-winning wines, industry conquering international markets

Moldova is marking the 25th edition of National Wine Day this year, an event that, over a quarter of a century, has become one of the country’s most important celebrations dedicated to its cultural and economic heritage. The celebration is taking place on October 3 and 4 on the Great National Assembly Square (PMAN) from Chisinau, bringing together more than 110 wine producers and expected to attract approximately 200,000 visitors from home and abroad.

The anniversary edition is held under the banner of tradition, achievement and the transformations experienced by Moldova’s wine industry. From the first editions, when the celebration was primarily an opportunity to promote local wines, the event has evolved into a platform showcasing the entire sector, from grape growers and winemakers to spirits producers, oenology specialists and entrepreneurs involved in wine tourism.

A quarter-century of celebration and an industry in transformation

The first edition of the Wine Festival took place in 2002, and the event subsequently became officially known as National Wine Day. Over its 25 years, the celebration has accompanied the transformation of an industry that has had to overcome trade embargoes, diversify its markets and invest in modern technologies, quality and international promotion.

This year’s edition is also particularly significant, because two decades have passed since the embargo imposed by the Russian Federation in 2006, a moment that prompted Moldovan producers to rethink their commercial strategy and seek new markets.

Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Eugeniu Osmochescu emphasized that the industry had proved resilience and the ability to adapt to economic changes.

“Thanks to the grape growers and winemakers, the entire sector demonstrated resilience, reoriented itself toward Western markets and showed a mature attitude,” the official said.

At present, the European Union is the main destination for Moldovan wines, while Romania ranks first among importing countries. Market diversification and the development of higher-value-added products remain priorities for the coming years.

For the anniversary edition, the organizers have expanded the event area to include part of Stefan cel Mare Boulevard. More than 110 producers are presenting their wines, including numerous small wineries that contribute to diversifying the offering and promoting indigenous grape varieties.

Authorities estimate that the number of visitors will reach approximately 200,000, after the 2024 edition attracted around 150,000 people and the 2025 edition - about 190,000.

Wines awarded at international competitions

One of the strongest arguments supporting the quality of Moldovan wines is the results achieved at international competitions. In 2026, producers from Moldova recorded remarkable performances at some of the most prestigious competitions in the field.

At the 2026 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, held in Yerevan, Armenia, Moldovan wines won 66 medals, including seven Grand Gold medals, 32 gold medals and 27 silver medals. Moldova recorded the highest success rate among participating countries that entered more than 100 wines in the competition.

Sixty-six out of 126 Moldovan wines submitted received awards, representing a success rate of 52.4 per cent. Almost 7,700 wines from 51 countries took part in the competition and were evaluated by an international jury.

Another important result was achieved at the 2026 VINARIUM International Wine Contest, held in Romania. Moldovan winemakers returned with 80 medals, including four Grand Gold, 72 gold and four silver medals. Forty-two wineries from Moldova participated in the competition, while the samples were assessed by an international jury comprising 41 experts from 16 countries.

Moldovan wines also achieved remarkable results at the 2026 MUNDUS VINI Spring Tasting, held in Germany. The 33 participating wineries won 119 medals, including one Grand Gold, 75 gold and 43 silver medals.

These results confirm the increasingly strong presence of Moldovan wines at international competitions and producers’ efforts to establish themselves through quality, authenticity and diversity.

For the wine industry, the medals represent not only recognition of winemakers’ work, but also a promotional tool on foreign markets, where reputation and consumer confidence play an essential role.

Wine production rose by 31 per cent in 2025

The 2025 wine year brought a significant recovery in production after a more difficult previous year. According to data presented at the conference, The 2025 Wine Year: Data, Decisions and Performance, the amount of grapes processed reached 259,000 tons, 45 per cent more than in 2024, when 179,000 tons were processed.

The increase in raw material directly translated into wine production, which totaled approximately 12.3 million decaliters, 31 per cent more than in the previous year.

The largest increases were recorded in the sparkling wine segment, the production of which reached 2.2 million decaliters, an increase of 122 per cent. The volume of distillates intended for processing rose by 143 per cent, reaching 5.6 million decaliters.

At the same time, the production of wines with Protected Geographical Indication and Protected Designation of Origin increased by 29 per cent, reaching 900,000 decaliters.

The data reflects both the recovery in production and the growing interest in diversifying product ranges and developing higher-value-added categories.

Investments made in recent years have contributed to modernizing the sector and increasing the value of exported products.

Throughout these years, the sector has invested in quality and in increasing the value of its products, and this can also be seen in the evolution of exports. Looking at the data over time, we can notice growth not only in the average price, but also in added value, and this is becoming increasingly important for the economy of Moldova.

Exports are shifting toward higher-value markets

Despite the increase in production, 2025 was more difficult in terms of export volume. Moldova exported 117 million liters of wine products, 18 per cent less than in the previous year.

Nevertheless, export value reached 212 million dollars, remaining 10 per cent above the average of the last five years and 23 per cent above the average of the last decade.

Moldovan wines reached 70 international destinations, while the European Union absorbed 60 per cent of total export value. The countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States accounted for 24 per cent.

These figures reflect an important change in producers’ commercial strategy, with increasing emphasis on bottled wines, the premium segment and markets capable of offering more favorable prices.

In 2024, exports of wine products reached a record level of more than 235 million dollars, equivalent to approximately four billion lei. That year, Moldova shipped around 145 million liters of wine products to 73 countries.

Although export volume decreased in 2025, export value remained relatively high, confirming the importance of quality and market diversification.

Stefan Iamandi, director of the National Office for Vine and Wine, believes that the sector still needs investment, modernization and expanded access to markets.

“The progress is encouraging, and we have every reason to look confidently toward the coming years. What does the wine sector need? It needs replanting, modernization and investment. It needs sustainability, new markets and smarter promotion that takes current trends into account,” said the director of the National Office for Vine and Wine.

Moldovan wine, a strategic sector for the economy

The wine industry continues to be one of the most important sectors of Moldova’s economy, contributing approximately 16 per cent of the value of agricultural production and providing around 150,000 jobs, according to data by the  Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry.

Its importance, however, goes beyond its economic dimension. Viticulture supports the activity of rural communities, contributes to tourism development and promotes the image of Moldova on international markets.

In recent years, producers have invested in modernizing equipment, winemaking technologies and developing new varieties. Particular attention is paid to indigenous grape varieties, which give Moldovan wines a distinctive character and can become a competitive advantage on international markets.

At the same time, climate change represents one of the sector’s main challenges. High temperatures, periods of drought and changes in precipitation patterns require the adaptation of cultivation technologies and the selection of more resilient varieties.

In the context, replanting vineyards, modernizing plantations and developing sustainable technologies are among the industry’s priorities.

New performance and recognition criteria for producers

The 2025 edition of the National Wine Day brought important changes to the system for awarding producers. Two new distinctions were introduced: the Wine Creator Trophy, meant for small producers and the Distillate Creator Trophy, recognizing the achievements of distillate producers.

At the same time, the criteria for awarding the Grand Prize were revised. In addition to companies’ economic results and infrastructure, the assessment now considers investments, sustainability, involvement in wine tourism and participation in international competitions.

The evaluation committee was reorganized and now comprises representatives of central authorities, academia and civil society, ensuring a more transparent and equitable selection process.

At the 2025 edition, the Grand Prize for outstanding achievements in the wine sector went to the Cricova Wine Combine. The Wine Creator Trophy was won by DIVUS Winery, while the Distillate Creator Trophy was awarded to Bardar Winery.

The Petru Ungureanu Medal, for the year’s most skilled oenologist, went to Ion Borta of Cricova, while the Nicolae Guzun Medal, for the best grape grower, was awarded to Vasile Dodon of Călăraș Divin.

At the 2026 edition, these distinctions continue to highlight the contribution of producers and specialists to the development of the wine sector.

A celebration bringing together wine, culture and tourism

Over its 25 years, the National Wine Day has become more than an event dedicated to producers. The celebration brings together winemaking traditions, gastronomy, folk crafts and tourism, giving visitors the opportunity to discover the cultural diversity of Moldova.

The Wine School is at the heart of the celebration, where participants can learn about grape varieties, tasting techniques and pairing wines with food. The Taster’s Passport provides the opportunity to take part in tastings organized by producers, while also promoting responsible consumption.

The agenda also includes cultural activities, craft workshops and performances, while wineries across the country are opening their doors to tourists and offering tastings and guided tours.

Over the years, wine tourism has become an increasingly important component of promoting Moldova. Wineries have invested in infrastructure, accommodation facilities and tourism experiences, contributing to the development of the local economy.

This year’s celebration is also an opportunity to highlight the role of wine in promoting Moldovan tourist destinations, from underground cellars to vineyards in the country’s wine-growing regions.

Wine of Moldova, an ambassador for Moldova

In recent years, the Wine of Moldova brand has become an important tool for promoting the country abroad. Participation in international exhibitions, specialist competitions and industry events has helped enhance the visibility of Moldovan wines and strengthen commercial relations with importers.

An important moment for the sector’s international promotion was the hosting, in 2025, of the World Congress of Vine and Wine, organized for the first time in  Moldova. The event brought together representatives of the 51 member states of the International Organization of Vine and Wine and gave the country an opportunity to present its winemaking heritage to the international community.

In 2026, the results achieved at international competitions continue to strengthen this image. The 66 medals won at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, the 80 distinctions received at VINARIUM and the 119 medals awarded at MUNDUS VINI confirm the quality of Moldovan wines and the efforts made by producers.

For the wine industry, the next step is to transform these results into new commercial opportunities, investments and a stronger presence on international markets.

Twenty-five years after the first edition, the National Wine Day reflects the journey of an industry that has managed to overcome economic and commercial difficulties, modernize and consolidate its international reputation.

The celebration therefore remains not only a tribute to the work of grape growers and winemakers, but also a celebration of a heritage that continues to evolve, generate economic value and promote Moldova around the world.