VIDEO // Nine homemade wines named winners at 24th edition of Golden Barrel competition in Moldova

Nine homemade wine producers have been named winners of the 24th edition of the Golden Barrel competition, organized by Moldova’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI). The award ceremony took place today, October 4, on the Great National Assembly Square (PMAN), as part of National Wine Day 2026.

This year’s edition brought together more than 500 participants from approximately 20 districts, while over 100 wines were selected for the republican stage. Following tasting and evaluation by the jury, nine winners were selected in more categories.





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CCI President Sergiu Harea said that, over its 24 years of existence, the competition had become a platform for promoting homemade wine producers and, in some cases, a first step toward developing small businesses in the winemaking sector.

“This year marks the 24th edition. Over the years, 10,500 entries have taken part in the competition, 220 of which were declared winners. I am pleased to see 14 of the winners here in the square today. They are already small producers and companies known both in the country and abroad,” Sergiu Harea said.

According to him, more than 500 entries were submitted for the 2026 edition, with the best wines selected during the regional stages and then evaluated in the final.

“At this year’s 24th edition, 500 entries took part. At the regional level, entries from 20 districts were selected for the final stage, and from the 100 finalists, nine winners were chosen by the jury chaired by Ms. Breahna. I want to congratulate them and wish them success in becoming small producers, making Moldova even better known abroad, as well as here at home,” the CCI president said.

Sergiu Harea thanked the jury members and the National Office of Vine and Wine for their cooperation in organizing the competition and highlighted the role of homemade wine in the development of producers who later go on to operate on the wine market.

“Together, we highlight the homemade wine producer, whose work improves from year to year. We all know that the major companies present on the Moldovan market and abroad began with homemade wine production,” Sergiu Harea said.

The CCI president also announced that next year’s edition would be a jubilee edition, marking 25 years since the competition was launched.

Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Eugeniu Osmochescu said that homemade wine was one of the components of the winemaking tradition that contributes to promoting the image of Moldova.

“It is another day, another emphasis placed on homemade wine. This is where the beginning of our tradition lies and it is an important landmark on this market. We must continue to celebrate it, but most importantly, we must further promote the image of Moldova, including through the tradition of homemade wine,” the minister said.

Eugeniu Osmochescu noted that the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry would continue working with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote Moldova’s viticultural values and products.

“We will continue working with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which, alongside its partners, is also a friend in promoting the values of Moldova. Today, I believe, we should celebrate how far we have advanced and honor those who are, in fact, the roots of winemaking in Moldova,” the minister said.

For his part, director of the National Office of Vine and Wine Stefan Iamandi emphasized the role of Golden Barrel competition in supporting small producers and promoting Moldovan wine.

“The Golden Barrel competition, now in its 24th edition, represents a critical stage for every participant. Many small producers took part in this year’s competition and, by winning the Golden Barrel, made efforts to register in the wine registry and produce and sell wine not only on the domestic market, but also abroad,” Stefan Iamandi said.

The ONVV director noted that several of the small producers present at National Wine Day had previously received awards in the competition.

“Today, 49 small producers are present, many of whom have received awards and participated in the Golden Barrel. This is an activity that requires a joint effort. All responsible entities are working to promote the wine sector and the country of Moldova. It is no coincidence that wine is considered Moldova’s ambassador,” Stefan Iamandi said.

For her part, Elizaveta Breahna, chair of the Tasting Commission and deputy chair of the competition’s Organizing Committee, praised the quality of the wines presented this year and said that selecting the winners had been difficult because the scores were very close.

“I want to congratulate all my fellow grape growers, winemakers and everyone who produces wine. The Golden Barrel competition is now in its 24th edition. We are very grateful to the team, led by Director General Sergiu Harea, for the continuity and constancy of this competition,” Elizaveta Breahna said.

“We were very surprised by the level of quality reached by homemade wines today. I would like to emphasize that the legacy of our ancestors lies behind every barrel. There is no Moldovan who does not make wine at home or does not have a small glass of wine at the table,” the chair of the Tasting Commission said.

According to her, it was difficult for the jury to establish the final ranking, because the scores awarded to the wines were very close.

“It was a very rigorous competition because the scores were extremely close. It was very difficult to identify the best wines. Even when two wines received the same score, we awarded an honorable mention rather than a Golden Barrel,” Elizaveta Breahna explained.

The 24th edition of the Golden Barrel competition, like previous editions, aimed to promote the tradition of homemade winemaking, highlight the best producers and encourage the exchange of experience among local producers. The organizers say that, over the years, some of the participants who had received awards in the competition later moved on to commercial wine production.