National Wine Day of Moldova 2026

What to expect in 2026

National Wine Day of Moldova 2026 returns to Chișinău on 3–4 October for its 25th anniversary edition, bringing together Moldova’s wine producers, traditional gastronomy, cultural experiences, educational tastings and entertainment in the heart of the capital. The main celebration will take place at the Great National Assembly Square, with activities extending along Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt Boulevard. The 2026 edition is being presented under the theme “United by Wine” and is designed to connect Moldova’s winemaking heritage with contemporary wine culture and tourism.

More than 100 wineries are expected to participate, with the latest organizer information identifying 114 wineries for the anniversary edition. Visitors will be able to meet established producers alongside smaller wineries, taste wines from different parts of Moldova and discover new releases, limited editions and established labels. The programme also includes the Wine School, masterclasses, gastronomy, the Traditional Courtyard, cultural activities and experiences connected with Moldova’s wine regions.

The event is intended to be more than a conventional wine festival. The 2026 programme expands into restaurants, wine bars, wineries, museums and other hospitality venues around the main weekend, creating a wider Wine of Moldova celebration. Activities announced for the wider programme include wine and divin tastings, gastronomic dinners, mixology experiences and events involving Wine of Moldova ambassadors.

One of the major anniversary moments planned for 3 October is an attempt to establish a Guinness World Records record for the largest human grapevine. Participants are expected to form a large grapevine shape in the Great National Assembly Square, making the anniversary edition particularly significant for the organizers and participating wine community.

The event also places considerable emphasis on wine education. At the Wine School, visitors can learn about tasting techniques, indigenous grape varieties and the characteristics that distinguish Moldovan wines. For 2026, the educational programme is also expected to introduce visitors to actual grapes and vine leaves from local varieties, helping connect the finished wine with its agricultural origins.

Event dates

National Wine Day of Moldova 2026 will take place on Saturday, 3 October and Sunday, 4 October 2026. The principal festival site in Chișinău is scheduled to operate from 10:00 to 22:00 on both days.

The two-day format makes it possible to experience the festival at a more relaxed pace. Visitors can use the first day for winery tastings, the Wine School and cultural activities, then return on the second day for additional producers, food experiences and educational sessions.

The anniversary edition is the 25th National Wine Day, making the 2026 celebration an important milestone in the history of Moldova’s national wine promotion programme. The event is organized by the National Office of Vine and Wine, with institutional support from Moldova’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and Ministry of Culture, alongside other partners.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & festival site

The main venue is the Great National Assembly Square, known locally as Piața Marii Adunări Naționale, in central Chișinău. The square provides the principal outdoor setting for winery stands, tastings, cultural activities and festival gatherings.

For 2026, the celebration is also being expanded along Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt Boulevard, creating additional space for the festival’s gastronomy and visitor activities. This larger footprint is intended to accommodate the growing number of participating wineries and visitors expected during the anniversary edition.

The central location makes the event convenient for visitors staying in Chișinău. Many attractions, restaurants, museums and hotels are within walking distance or a short public-transport journey from the square.

The festival environment will combine wine stands with food areas, cultural displays, educational spaces and areas for visitors to relax. The Traditional Courtyard is another important part of the experience, focusing on Moldovan heritage, local products and traditional culture.

Full food & drink programme

Food and wine are closely connected throughout National Wine Day, and the 2026 programme continues this approach by combining Moldovan wines with traditional cuisine and contemporary gastronomic experiences. Visitors can expect food vendors and culinary areas around the central festival site, while restaurants and wine bars across Chișinău will also participate in the wider Wine of Moldova programme.

The main festival food programme is designed to complement the wine rather than operate as a separate food fair. Traditional Moldovan dishes, locally inspired snacks and hearty festival food provide options for visitors between tastings.

The 2026 wider programme also introduces gastronomic dinners, wine and divin pairings and mixology experiences in participating hospitality venues. These activities give visitors an opportunity to experience Moldovan wine in restaurant settings rather than only at outdoor winery stands.

Food experiences are particularly useful for visitors who want to explore Moldova’s culinary identity alongside its wine culture. Pairing traditional dishes with local grape varieties can provide a more complete introduction to the country’s regional food and drink traditions.

Featured foods & specialties

Moldovan cuisine is an important part of the National Wine Day experience. Visitors can expect traditional dishes and regional specialties designed to work naturally with local wines.

Commonly associated Moldovan festival foods include:

• Plăcinte: Traditional filled pastries that can be prepared with sweet or savory fillings.
• Sarmale: Stuffed cabbage or vine leaves prepared with seasoned fillings and served as a classic Moldovan comfort food.
• Grilled meats: Outdoor grilling and meat dishes are popular choices for visitors looking for a substantial meal alongside wine.
• Mămăligă: A traditional cornmeal dish commonly served with savory accompaniments.
• Local cheeses: Cheese and other dairy products can provide simple pairings for white, rosé and sparkling wines.
• Seasonal produce: Autumn ingredients and locally produced foods fit naturally with the October setting of the festival.

The Traditional Courtyard provides another opportunity to discover local products and heritage. The 2026 programme is intended to connect food, agriculture, crafts and wine, showing visitors how Moldova’s wine culture developed alongside rural traditions.

Restaurants, vendors & producers

The centerpiece of the festival is the large collection of participating wineries. The latest 2026 announcements identify 114 wineries, including numerous smaller producers. This gives visitors the opportunity to compare wines from different producers and regions without travelling between individual wineries.

Participating producers are expected to present established wines alongside new releases and limited-edition products. Conversations with winery representatives can also provide information about vineyards, grape varieties, winemaking techniques and individual winery histories.

The event has traditionally provided an important platform for smaller wineries as well as major producers. This creates a broad selection ranging from internationally recognized Moldovan labels to wines produced by smaller and more specialized wineries.

Food vendors will complement the winery stands, while restaurants and wine bars participating in the wider Wine Day programme provide additional opportunities for visitors to experience local wine with a more formal meal.

Wine, beer & beverage selection

Wine is the central beverage category at National Wine Day, with a particularly strong emphasis on Moldova’s indigenous grape varieties. Visitors can expect white, red, rosé and sparkling wines, as well as wines made from local varieties and blends combining indigenous grapes with international varieties.

The 2026 Wine School programme highlights several important categories, including sparkling wines with Protected Geographical Indication, wines made from indigenous varieties, wines produced from older local varieties and DIVIN, Moldova’s protected geographical indication wine brandy category.

Among the varieties visitors may encounter are Fetească Neagră, Rară Neagră, Fetească Albă and Fetească Regală. These varieties form an important part of Moldova’s wine identity and provide visitors with an opportunity to compare different expressions of local grapes.

The 2024 edition demonstrated the breadth of the tasting programme, recording more than 50,000 tasting experiences across white, red, rosé, sparkling wines and divin. The 2026 organizers have estimated around 100,000 tastings, reflecting the scale expected for the anniversary edition.

Beer is not the central focus of the festival. Visitors primarily attend for Moldovan wine, sparkling wine and wine-derived beverages, while non-alcoholic refreshments and food-area beverages may be available separately.

Tastings, cooking demos & workshops

The Wine School is one of the main educational components of National Wine Day 2026. Sessions are designed to introduce visitors to wine appreciation and the characteristics of Moldovan grape varieties.

Published programme information includes several tasting sessions:

• 14:00–14:45: Sparkling wines with Protected Geographical Indication.
• 15:15–16:00: Wines made from indigenous varieties, including newer selections, single-variety wines and blends with international varieties.
• 16:30–17:15: Wines produced from older indigenous varieties.
• 17:45–18:30: “Divine Inspiration,” focusing on DIVIN wine brandy with Protected Geographical Indication.

The Wine School also has an educational focus beyond simply tasting finished wines. In 2026, visitors are expected to see grapes and vine leaves from indigenous varieties, helping explain how grape characteristics influence the resulting wine.

Masterclasses led by sommeliers and wine specialists are another feature of the programme. These sessions can help visitors understand tasting technique, aromas, regional differences, grape varieties and food pairing.

Traditional food demonstrations and culinary experiences are also connected with the festival’s broader gastronomy programme, while participating restaurants and wineries may offer their own workshops, dinners and tasting events during the surrounding Wine Week.

Ticket types & entry options

The principal paid tasting product for the 2026 festival is the Taster’s Book, known as Carnetul Degustătorului. The current listed price is approximately $17.09 USD, based on the official price and the National Bank of Moldova’s 23 September 2026 exchange rate.

The Taster’s Book includes:

• Reusable tasting glass: A 100% recyclable Tritan glass.
• Ten wine tastings: Ten tasting opportunities valid throughout the two days of the celebration.
• Two additional tastings: Two further tastings are available after completing the event feedback form.

The passport is designed for visitors who want to actively participate in wine tastings rather than simply attend the public festival atmosphere. It is valid throughout the two-day celebration, allowing visitors to distribute their tasting experiences between 3 and 4 October.

The official ticket listing currently identifies the tasting package rather than publishing a separate general-admission price. Visitors should check the official ticketing platforms before travelling because admission arrangements and individual programme activities can be updated close to the event.

VIP & premium experiences

A separate official VIP ticket package for the main 2026 National Wine Day festival has not been clearly published by the organizers at the time of writing. The official programme instead emphasizes the tasting passport, Wine School, masterclasses, winery interactions and the wider programme taking place in restaurants, wine bars and wineries.

Visitors looking for a more premium experience can consider winery-based activities around the main festival. Individual wineries may offer private tastings, guided cellar visits, special dinners or other experiences as part of the wider Wine Day programme.

The expansion into restaurants and wine bars also creates opportunities for more intimate wine-and-food experiences away from the busiest festival areas. These experiences are separate from the main festival tasting passport and may have their own reservations or fees.

Because premium activities can be organized independently by individual wineries and hospitality venues, visitors should confirm availability, schedules and booking requirements directly with the participating venue before making plans.

Event rules

National Wine Day promotes responsible wine consumption and uses the tasting passport system to structure controlled tasting experiences. The organizers specifically present the tasting programme as a way to encourage moderate consumption while allowing visitors to explore multiple Moldovan wines.

Visitors should follow instructions from winery staff, festival personnel and security teams throughout the event. Tasting areas can become busy, particularly during peak afternoon and evening periods.

The event is a large public celebration, so visitors should take care of personal belongings, remain aware of temporary barriers and follow any traffic or pedestrian instructions issued around the festival site.

Responsible alcohol consumption is particularly important. Visitors who drink wine should plan their return journey in advance and avoid driving after drinking. Public transportation, taxis and other transport options are preferable for anyone participating in tastings.

The organizers may update operational rules, access arrangements or safety instructions before the event. Visitors should therefore check the official National Wine Day website shortly before arrival for the latest visitor information.

How to get there

National Wine Day takes place in central Chișinău, making it relatively accessible from different parts of the city. The Great National Assembly Square is located on Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt Boulevard, one of the main central corridors of Chișinău.

For international visitors, Chișinău International Airport is the principal air gateway to Moldova. From the airport, visitors can continue toward central Chișinău by taxi or public transport.

The festival’s central position means visitors staying in central hotels can often reach the square on foot. Walking can also be practical when festival-related road restrictions affect vehicle access.

Visitors arriving by car should allow extra time because the central area can become congested during major public events. The festival’s expansion along Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt Boulevard also means that access arrangements may change during the celebration.

Public transport & parking

Public transport is one of the most practical ways to reach the festival. Current transport information shows trolleybus services serving the Great National Assembly Square, while nearby bus stops provide additional connections from different parts of Chișinău.

Trolleybus routes serving or passing close to the square include routes such as 1, 4, 5 and 8, with other routes available from nearby streets. Bus connections also operate within walking distance of the venue.

The central location is also served by public transport connections linking the railway station and other major parts of the city. Visitors should check live schedules and any event-related route changes on the day of travel.

Parking directly around the Great National Assembly Square is likely to be more difficult than usual during the festival. Large public events in this area can involve temporary road closures and public-transport diversions, so visitors arriving by car should consider parking farther from the square and walking the remaining distance.

For anyone attending wine tastings, public transport or a taxi is the safer option than driving. Festival visitors should also allow additional travel time because central streets may be busier than normal.

Accommodation areas

Central Chișinău is the most convenient area for visitors who want to remain close to National Wine Day. Staying around the city centre reduces the need for long journeys and makes it easier to return to accommodation between activities.

The area around the Great National Assembly Square, Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt Boulevard and the surrounding central streets provides convenient access to restaurants, cafés, museums, cultural attractions and public transport.

The city centre is particularly suitable for visitors planning to experience both days of the festival. It allows guests to attend daytime tastings, evening cultural activities and restaurant events without relying heavily on private transport.

Other central districts can also work well if accommodation directly around the square is limited. Visitors should prioritize properties with easy walking access or strong public-transport connections to central Chișinău.

Booking early is advisable because National Wine Day is a major annual event and the anniversary edition is expected to attract a substantial number of visitors. The 2025 edition recorded more than 9,000 tasting-pass users, while organizers are preparing the 2026 celebration on an even larger scale.

For visitors interested in wine tourism beyond the city, another option is to stay in Chișinău for the main celebration and arrange winery visits during the wider Wine Week. The 2026 programme is specifically expanding the celebration into wineries, restaurants, wine bars and museums, allowing visitors to build a broader Moldova wine itinerary around the central festival weekend.