The National Museum of History of Moldova hosted the official presentation of the international project “7,000 Years Under Wine,” an initiative bringing together winemakers, economists, historians, marketing specialists, designers, and cultural figures. The project aims to tell the world a story long overdue: 7,000 years of civilization captured in a single glass of Moldovan wine.
A Project That Unites
“7,000 Years Under Wine” serves as a collaborative platform for everyone connected to wine, history, culture, and Moldova’s development. The initiative is open to all — producers, researchers, institutions, and companies.
The first results were immediate. During the event, the Culture Platform announced its participation, while the National Tourism Office of the Republic of Moldova expressed strong support and interest in contributing to the project’s development.
“Ivan Muntean, founder of wine.md and the project’s author, said that while Moldovans are proud of their wine, few fully understand the depth of its history. He emphasized that behind every bottle lies not just flavor, but millennia of heritage — an opportunity both the industry and the country have yet to fully harness.”
A History Worth Knowing
Moldova is among the few countries where the wild grapevine Vitis sylvestris still exists as part of the natural ecosystem. Paleobotanical discoveries near Naslavcea confirm the presence of vines in this region 20–25 million years ago. Additionally, a grape leaf imprint found in the clay wall of a Cucuteni–Trypillia culture house in Brânzeni, dated to around 4500 BC, indicates that vines were cultivated in domestic spaces long before winemaking was formally recognized.
Today, Moldova ranks first in the world in vineyard area per capita, surpassing France, Italy, and Spain. Following the phylloxera crisis of the 19th century, Bessarabian vine cuttings played a role in restoring European viticulture. During the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union, every second or third bottle of wine consumed was Moldovan.
Four Key Directions
The project is structured around four main pillars:
- Consolidation: Wine as a shared identity uniting Moldovans across regions, generations, and perspectives.
- Economy: Leveraging 7,000 years of history as an economic asset through tourism, exports, gastronomy, and positioning.
- National Brand: Creating an umbrella platform to promote Moldovan wine on international markets with a unified and recognizable identity.
- European Integration: Highlighting Moldova’s long-standing role in European viticultural civilization as a cultural argument for its place within Europe.
Mihail Gipsman-Zeldin, Director of the Moldovan School of Economics, stressed that Moldova’s 7,000-year wine heritage represents its strongest cultural argument in Europe — not a declaration, but proof of historical presence.
First Steps
The initiative has already outlined its initial actions:
- Traveling Exhibition “7,000 Years Under Wine” — A mobile exhibition is in development, with invitations already received from several European countries.
- Interactive Website — A digital platform will present the history of Moldovan wine from prehistoric times to the present day.
- Scientific Program — Research focusing on biology, archaeology, genetics, climate adaptation, and water resources to support sustainable development of the sector.
- Export Umbrella Brand “7000” — A collaborative effort to create a distinctive brand for Moldovan wines and boost other national exports.
Participants and Guests
The event featured presentations by Ivan Muntean, Mihail Gipsman-Zeldin, Vladimir Grosu (Doubles Studio), Valeria Suruceanu (Culture Platform, Chisinau Museum), and Eugen Mistreanu (National Museum of History of Moldova).
Among the attendees were Germany’s Ambassador to Moldova Hubert Knirsch, representatives of the Italian Embassy, diplomats from the United Kingdom, Romania, and Austria, UN Resident Coordinator Yeşim Oruc, UN Women representatives, AmCham Moldova President Alexandru Gozun, the National Office of Vine and Wine, the Small Wine Producers Association, Moldovan scientists, USM marketing faculty representatives, and journalists.
Key Quotes
Valeria Suruceanu, Director of the Culture Platform, noted that the initiative unites people around what truly matters, with wine serving as a thread connecting science, culture, economy, and national identity.
Ivan Muntean emphasized that while everyone knows Moldovan wine is good, few realize it may be among the oldest — a perception the project seeks to change for producers, the industry, and the country as a whole.
Mihail Gipsman-Zeldin reiterated that the 7,000-year history of Moldovan viticulture is the country’s strongest cultural argument in Europe, demonstrating continuity rather than intention.
About the Project
“7,000 Years Under Wine” is an open initiative uniting professionals from various fields around a shared idea: Moldovan wine has one of the deepest historical roots in Europe, and this heritage should serve the country, the industry, and its people. The project is built on four pillars — a traveling exhibition, a digital museum, a scientific program, and an export-oriented umbrella brand — and remains open to all who wish to contribute.