VIDEO // National Wine Day reaches its 25th edition in Moldova; The Wine that Unites brings together producers, tourists, international guests

The 25th edition of National Wine Day today was officially inaugurated on the Great National Assembly Square (PMAN), under the theme, The Wine That Unites. The event brings together wine producers, grape growers, government representatives, international partners and wine lovers from Moldova and abroad.

The official ceremony was attended by Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Eugeniu Osmochescu, Director of the National Office for Vine and Wine (ONVV) Stefan Iamandi, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis, European Union Ambassador to Moldova Ivona Piorko, as well as representatives of the business community and the wine sector.





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Director of the National Office for Vine and Wine Stefan Iamandi said that the anniversary edition marks 25 years during which National Wine Day had grown alongside the wine sector of Moldova.

“For us, this edition is a special one, marking a quarter of a century during which this celebration has grown together with us and with the wine sector of Moldova. During this period, National Wine Day has become a history book of our winemaking. The 25 editions represent the story of a sector that began by promoting Moldovan wine and has now reached the point of building a national brand,” Stefan Iamandi said.

According to the ONVV director, the brand, The Wine of Moldova, is present on more than 70 international markets and contributes to promoting the image of Moldova, including through tourism.

“Over these 25 years, many things have changed: technologies have changed, generations have changed and wineries have changed. New producers and brands have emerged and wines produced in Moldova have begun to win thousands upon thousands of medals. But beyond all these changes, one thing has remained constant for us: people,” Stefan Iamandi said.

He noted that, at the heart of the sector, there are the people who plant and care for the vineyards, produce wine, open wineries and promote Moldovan products abroad.

“That is why, the slogan of this 2026 edition is ‘The Wine That Unites,’ It is, in fact, a very accurate description of this industry. Moldovan wine unites generations, Moldovan wine unites traditions and technologies, Moldovan wine unites villages and cities, Moldovan wine unites small and large producers, and Moldovan wine unites agriculture with tourism, gastronomy and export markets,” Iamandi said.

This year’s edition is also marked by a Guinness World Record for creating the largest human representation of a grapevine. “Just as in a vineyard, everyone has their place. Perhaps, this is the simplest meaning of this year’s message — ‘The Wine That Unites,’’ the ONVV director said.

Stefan Iamandi noted that, this year, National Wine Day had been expanded into a true week dedicated to wine, with projects and partnerships involving restaurants, museums and other institutions, while wineries across the country are opening their doors to visitors.

Vasile Tofan: “I consider myself, first and foremost, a winemaker”

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan spoke about his connection to the wine sector and the work carried out by wine producers.

“Many people try to place me, you know, in the banking sector and, with all due respect to bankers, I consider myself, first and foremost, a winemaker, because I have worked in winemaking for the past 15 years. That is why, to all the winemakers here, I am one of you, and I know firsthand how difficult this work is,” the prime minister said.

Vasile Tofan referred to working in the vineyard and producers’ responsibility for every harvest.

“When you have to get up at 4 a.m. to reach the vineyard, make sure it has been cleaned, tied and put in order, go through it all over again, and only then does the work begin. That is why I raise a very, very heartfelt toast to your work, first and foremost to you, the winemakers,” Tofan said.

The prime minister emphasized that viticulture and winemaking were important elements of Moldova’s identity.

“Every country, especially a small country, looks for reasons to be proud and for things that unite and identify us. Well, for us the answer is simple. We are a country whose identity is closely linked to the grapevine and wine,” the prime minister stated.

According to Vasile Tofan, Moldova’s small size does not prevent its wine sector from having a significant international presence.

“We are small in size, perhaps small in population, but we have more vineyards than New Zealand, more vineyards than South Africa, as many vineyards as Argentina, and almost as many as Australia. In other words, we have an influence in the world of wine far greater than the size of our country would suggest,” the prime minister said.

Vasile Tofan also referred to the results achieved by Moldovan wineries in international competitions and to some of the elements that contribute to the country’s image.

“Small wineries and large wineries alike represent Moldova’s calling card, and they are all Moldova’s pride. I strongly urge you to respect the work of winemakers and to take pride in the work of winemakers,” he said.

The prime minister also said that the government would continue to support the sector by opening new markets and reducing trade barriers.

“On behalf of the government I have the honor to lead, we will continue to help them, invest in them, open new markets for them and remove tariff and non-tariff barriers, so that we can do everything within our power to promote our wines around the world,” Vasile Tofan said.

Eugeniu Osmochescu: “We have an identity, we have strength”

Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Eugeniu Osmochescu highlighted the special nature of 2026, when Moldova marks 35 years of independence and National Wine Day reaches its 25th edition.

“The year 2026 is special not only for winemakers, but also for Moldova. Think about it: 35 years of independence and 25 years since this Wine Day began,” the minister said.

Eugeniu Osmochescu emphasized the contribution of grape growers and winemakers to the country’s identity and spoke about the sector’s resilience in the face of difficulties.

“Winemakers and grape growers have contributed to the identity of Moldova. The resilience demonstrated by the country’s farmers and, in particular, by the wine sector, shows that we have an identity, that we have strength and a united sector, despite all problems imposed on us from outside,” Osmochescu said.

The minister also highlighted Moldova’s position in terms of vineyard density.

“Moldova ranks first in the world in terms of vineyard density, compared with any other country. Number one,” Eugeniu Osmochescu said.

The minister also said that 114 wineries were participating in this year’s edition, 49 of them being small producers.

“Another record has been broken: 114 wineries are participating today, and, very importantly, 49 of them are small wineries. This means a great deal. The sector is growing, the sector is developing and the sector knows what it does best,” the agriculture minister said.

Valdis Dombrovskis: “Wine is much more than an agricultural product”

European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis praised the role of Moldovan wine in the economy and in the international promotion of Moldova.

“It is a real pleasure to be here with you today to celebrate Moldovan wine, a source of pride, tradition and growing success,” Dombrovskis said.

The European official emphasized that wine has a significance that goes beyond its economic dimension.

“Wine is much more than an agricultural product. It tells the story of a land, a people and a culture. In Moldova, wine is part of the country’s identity. It reflects centuries of experience, hard work and passion,” the European commissioner said.

According to Valdis Dombrovskis, the wine sector creates jobs, supports rural communities and attracts tourists.

“Moldovan wine is also a story about the future. It creates jobs, supports rural communities, attracts tourists and brings Moldova closer to European and international markets,” he said.

The European commissioner noted that, when consumers discover Moldovan wine, they also discover other aspects of the country.

“When people discover Moldovan wine, they discover much more than quality and taste. They discover hospitality, heritage, beautiful landscapes and the country’s energy. That is why, wine matters so much. It is not only an economic asset; it is also an ambassador for Moldova,” Dombrovskis said.

Macar Stoianov: “Wine is the most beautiful book of Moldova’s life”

Maib Vice President Macar Stoianov spoke about his personal experience with Moldovan wine and its role in promoting the country abroad.

“I lived abroad for more than 20 years. And every time I visited a friend’s home, I would take a bottle of wine from Moldova. Regardless of the producer or the winery I chose, I chose wine from Moldova,” Stoianov said.

He specified that the bottle of Moldovan wine became an opportunity to talk about the country.

“And every time, the gift was appreciated. The most beautiful moment was when we opened that bottle of Moldovan wine together. At that table, a thousand kilometers from home, we talked about our things, about the things that mattered to me, and I proudly said: it is from us, from Moldova,” the Maib representative said.

Macar Stoianov addressed the winemakers, emphasizing that Moldovan wine reaches tables thousands of kilometers away from the country.

“Perhaps you sometimes manage to see where a bottle of wine goes after leaving your vineyard. Sometimes it reaches a table a thousand kilometers away and gives someone the joy of talking about their country and telling a story. And, for a few moments, it brings them back home. Thank you for this joy. I personally have experienced it many times,” Stoianov said.

He compared the development of a wine brand to caring for a vineyard.

“Wine, as I told you a little earlier, is the most beautiful book of Moldova’s life. Every wine has a character, every vine has a story. Together, you have built a story and a reputation of which we are proud,” Stoianov stated.

“A vineyard needs time, care and patience before it produces the harvest you are waiting for. The same is true of a brand. Through what you do, year after year, day after day, through the quality you maintain and the trust you build, people choose you again,” he added.

Wine sector awards

The main awards of the wine sector were also presented during the official ceremony.

The Grand Prize went to Sălcuța Ltd.

The Wine Creator Trophy was awarded to Luca Winery.

The Distillate Creator Trophy went to Călărași Divin Ltd.

The title of the year’s most skilled oenologist was awarded to Maria Coșnete.

The award for the year’s best grape grower went to Semion Gututui.

The “Eugen Pâslaru – Heritage and Future” Trophy was awarded to Sălcuța Ltd.

The 25th edition of National Wine Day is taking place on October 3–4 on the PMAN and at wineries across the country. Wine-related events are held throughout the entire week, with the schedule including tastings, winery visits, cultural activities and gastronomic events.

This year’s anniversary edition is held under the theme, The Wine That Unites, a message that, according to the organizers, shows the connection between generations, traditions and technologies, small and large producers, agriculture, tourism, gastronomy and international markets.