Moldova launches international project titled “7,000 Years Under Wine”
This is an open initiative that brings together winemakers, economists, historians, marketers, and designers around a common vision: Moldovan wine has the longest history in Europe, and this history must work—for the country, for the industry, and for every Moldovan. Specifically, the National Museum of the History of Moldova hosted a public presentation of the “7,000 Years Under Wine” project, which is being implemented by enthusiasts convinced that Moldovan wine has a story the whole world needs to hear. The “7,000 Years Under Wine” project is a focal point for everyone connected to wine, history, culture, and the development of Moldova. Anyone can join the project—winemakers, researchers, institutions, and businesses. Already at the project presentation, the Culture Platform announced its participation in the project. The National Tourism Agency of Moldova highly praised the initiative and expressed a desire to participate in its development. “Every Moldovan is rightfully proud of Moldovan wine, but most do not know how deep this history is and just how much there actually is to be proud of. We want Moldovan winemakers and all Moldovans to see that behind every bottle lies not just a taste, but millennia. This is an opportunity for the industry and for each of us that we have not yet fully utilized,” said Ivan Muntean, founder of wine.md and creator of the project. As noted, Moldova is one of the few countries in the world where the wild grapevine Vitis sylvestris continues to thrive as part of the natural ecosystem. Paleobotanical findings near Naslavcea confirm the presence of grapevines in this area 20–25 million years ago. An imprint of a grape leaf in the clay of the wall of the Cucuteni-Tripolia House of Culture in Brinzeni, dating back to approximately 4500 BCE, indicates that grapes grew right in the courtyard long before the first mention of “winemaking.” Moldova ranks first in the world in terms of the number of vineyards per capita, ahead of France, Italy, and Spain. After the phylloxera crisis of the 19th century, Bessarabian grapevines helped revive European winemaking. During various periods of the Russian Empire and the USSR, every second or third bottle of wine was Moldovan. The “7,000 Years Under Wine” international project launched in Moldova, has four pillars: Consolidation: wine as a shared identity—uniting Moldovans from different regions, generations, and perspectives; Economy: tourism, exports, gastronomy, and positioning—7,000 years of history as an economic asset. National Brand: an umbrella platform for Moldovan wine in international markets—unique, verified, and globally resonant; European Integration: 7,000 years of European wine civilization—a compelling cultural argument in favor of Moldova’s belonging to the European space. Mikhail Gipsman-Zeldin, Director of the Moldovan School of Economics and the Center for Economic Research at Moscow State University, noted that 7,000 years of Moldovan viticulture is the strongest cultural heritage argument Moldova can present to Europe. “Not a declaration of intent, but proof of presence: our history is part of the pan-European history of wine,” he said. As part of the project, a traveling exhibition titled “7,000 Years Under Wine” will be held. Invitations to host the exhibition have already been received from several European countries. Additionally, an interactive website on the history of Moldovan wine will be created, and a digital platform will be launched covering the history of viticulture in Moldova from prehistoric times to the present day. A rich scientific program is planned: research on the history of wine from the perspectives of biology, archaeology, and genetics, as well as on climate adaptation and Moldova’s water resources—all in the interest of the industry’s sustainable development. An umbrella brand, “7000,” is also planned for export. Collaborative work will be carried out on branding that will distinguish Moldovan wines in international markets and create demand for the country’s other export products. // 04.05.2026 — InfoMarket
