Author's Wine Festival returns to Chisinau, featuring its largest edition yet
The fourth edition of the Author's Wine Festival will be held from September 4 to 6, 2026, in the courtyard of the National Museum of History of Moldova. This year, the festival will span three days for the first time and will feature 40 small wine producers from various regions of the Republic of Moldova. These producers will showcase their wines along with the stories that inspired them.
The festival is dedicated exclusively to small wine producers and aims to create a space for direct encounters between winemakers and consumers. Over three days, visitors will have the opportunity to taste signature wines and meet the producers behind them.
"The Author's Wine Festival is the only event in the country that focuses solely on small wine producers, which we organize for the local market," said Elena Tomescu, administrator of the Association of Small Wine Producers of Moldova.
According to the organizers, the expansion of the festival from two to three days is due to the growing public interest in wines produced in small batches and the stories of the winemakers.
"First and foremost, the festival serves as a platform for communication and direct interaction between producers and consumers. It also offers an opportunity to get to know the winemakers and their families—individuals who make us proud and who put not just wine, but also a story, into each bottle," added Elena Tomescu.
This year’s edition will feature presentation sessions and tasting masterclasses led by sommeliers, interactive experiences with winemakers, and a live music program. Visitors will have the chance to learn more about local grape varieties and the unique characteristics of the Republic of Moldova's wine regions.
"This year, the festival will last for three days, as previous editions have shown a growing interest from the community and guests who are increasingly eager to discover both the wine and its creators," the association’s representative stated.
The organizers explain that "author's wine" is closely linked to the operations of small producers. These are typically independent wineries that manage up to 20 hectares of vines and produce no more than 100,000 liters of wine annually. In many cases, they operate as family businesses, with the winemaker personally involved in all stages of the process—from tending the vines and harvesting grapes to vinification, bottling, and promoting their products.
The winemaker's direct involvement in the production process is a key characteristic of signature wine. Each product reflects its creator's imprint, the place and region of origin, and the winemaker's personal style. Producing in small batches allows for meticulous monitoring at every stage.
The festival is organized by the Association of Small Wine Producers of Moldova, which was founded in 2010 to represent and support small and independent wineries while increasing their visibility in both the domestic and international markets.
Currently, the association has 65 members, including winemakers, family businesses, and independent wineries from various regions of the country. Its members collectively own over 500 hectares of vines and produce more than one million bottles of wine annually, exporting to 25 countries.
According to the association's data, exports in 2025 exceeded $1.17 million, nearly double the 2020 figure of about $606,000.
The wineries have also received numerous awards in competitions both domestically and internationally. Between 2020 and 2025, they earned a total of 649 medals, including 110 in 2025 alone.
