Vinarium: Where Romania’s Wine Soul Comes Alive

For me, Vinarium is more than just a wine competition — it’s family. It’s that moment each year when I reconnect with the Romanian wine industry, exchange ideas with colleagues and friends, and dive deeper into the wines and native grapes that define this country.

Each year, I return as a jury member at the VINARIUM International Wine Contest — the most important international wine competition in Central and South-Eastern Europe, now reaching its XXIII edition in 2026. Supported by OIV and VINOFED, and working alongside FIJEV and UIOE, Vinarium has firmly positioned itself on the global stage.

But Vinarium is much more than a competition. It has built a real wine community — a network of wine professionals from around the world. It relentlessly shines a spotlight not only on Romanian wines and regions, but also on the international wines entered into the competition. What makes it even more important, in my view, is that it is one of the only entities that consistently, year after year, brings international judges and wine professionals to Romania. Very few — if any — institutions are doing this kind of work at this level. For that alone, it deserves recognition as one of the key promoters of our wine culture. It has become one of the strongest brands representing Romania in the global wine industry.

Vinarium is also a gateway. For many international judges, it’s a first encounter with Romania — its vineyards, its winemakers, and its native grapes. You see it immediately: curiosity turning into surprise, and surprise into respect. The sparkle in their eyes after tasting a Fetească Neagră or a Crâmpoșie is something I never get tired of witnessing.

For me personally, this experience goes deeper. Born in Romania and raised in Canada, Vinarium allows me to reconnect with my roots while sharpening my understanding of the country’s wine identity. Every year, I leave with more knowledge, more perspective, and a stronger drive to promote Romanian wines internationally — whether through events, education, or sommelier training.

Some moments stay with you. Walking through the old cellars of Statiunea de Cercetare Pietroasa and tasting aged Tămâioasă Românească — proof that these wines can age with grace and complexity. Or an evening at Velvet Winery, gathered around a fire, where winemakers sang, played guitar, and turned a simple night into something unforgettable. These are the moments when jurors stop being just judges and become part of a community.

Visits to DFR Winery, Via Domnului, and Licorna Winehouse further highlighted the direction Romanian wine is taking — a balance between tradition and innovation, backed by serious investment in vineyard management and winemaking precision. The results are clear: rising quality, growing confidence, and increasing international recognition.

At the same time, Romania is beginning to define its own identity. Not by imitation, but by understanding its strengths — native varieties, diverse terroirs, and a new generation of producers willing to push forward.

Vinarium plays a key role in this evolution. Beyond the competition, it supports initiatives like the “A7 The Vineyard Highway” helping develop wine tourism by connecting Bucharest to regions like Dealu Mare, Vrancea, and beyond. The ambition is clear: to turn Romania into a true wine destination.

What sets Vinarium apart is the experience it offers. Mornings are dedicated to blind tastings — focused, rigorous, international in standard. Afternoons are spent in vineyards, meeting producers, understanding context, and discovering the local gastronomic culture. Very few organizations offer this level of immersion.

And then there’s the human side. Instead of traditional protocol gifts, Vinarium offers something meaningful — something that reflects the emotional connections built over the years.

Cult wines. Classical music. 🍷🎼

Collectible vinyl records from the 1970s and 1980s, featuring the music of George Enescu, were reimagined with custom covers dedicated to each juror — turning a simple object into a lasting memory.

The 2025 edition also introduced the VINARIUM Label Competition, celebrating the visual identity of wine. From nearly 1,400 entries, 24 labels reached the final, judged by art historian Adrian Buga:

🍷 White: DeWino Goruli Mtsvane 2022 – Batono Winery, Georgia
🌸 Rosé: Ataman Rosé 2024 – Crama Hamangia, Romania
🍷 Red: Pata Negra Tempranillo Crianza 2020 – García Carrión, Spain

Vinarium continues to shine a bright light on Romanian wine — not just by judging it, but by connecting it to the world.

Registrations for the next edition are open until May 10th.

If you want your wines to be seen, understood, and evaluated on an international stage — this is where it happens.