16 small and medium wineries in Moldova, including 10 members of the Association of Small Wine Producers, have benefited from the USAID Performance Agriculture in Moldova Project with high-performance equipment and technical assistance to improve the wine production process and enhance the quality of the signature wine. The new equipment, worth a total of about $170,000, includes stainless steel fermenters, stainless steel wine storage vessels, barrels, presses, temperature control systems and wine cleaning and sterilization filters.
The new equipment allows easy management of the wine production process at all stages of production, guarantees hygienic standards, allows wine maturation and enhances wine quality. At the same time, the support provided by USAID APM has generated additional investments of about USD 410 thousand from winemakers to improve the wine production process. The improved technologies allow small winemakers to bottle wine and add value to the product they sell.
As part of the same initiative to support small winemakers' efforts to improve wine quality, USAID APM helped the Small Wine Producers Association to procure small equipment needed in the wine production and bottling and labeling process, which is provided on loan to association members during the harvest, production and bottling period.
Nicolai Olărașu, who owns the Mingir winery, says the equipment provided by USAID APM allows him to ensure a continuous flow of wine production. Thanks to the new equipment, the winery will improve its production capabilities and hopes to expand its sales in Romania, which will allow it to build a tasting room at the winery for tourists. "Apart from the equipment, we have received advice from production and marketing experts, we have been helped in creating the website and presentation materials," says the winemaker.
Bahu Winery, from the village of Bahu, Calarasi district, launched by two friends Mihai Iuzvac and Anton Deleu, has benefited from the equipment, which according to the winemakers, is crucial for improving the quality of the wine produced by Bahu Winery. At present, the around 3,000 bottles of wine produced by the winery are sold through wine shops and at local fairs, but the winemakers say the machinery they received offers them prospects for developing and expanding their business.
Nicolae Minciună, having studied winemaking, launched the small winery Domeniile Pana in the village of Slobozia Mare in the district of Vulcanesti, after several years working at a winery in New Zealand. Nicolae says that thanks to the climate, the limestone soils with geological characteristics and the unique mineral composition of the Slobozia Mare region, the grapes have a special taste and the wines are characterized by an incomparable terroir. The machinery it has benefited from allows it to increase wine production and the quality of its signature wine, targeting the Romanian market.
Among the beneficiaries of USAID APM project assistance to small winemakers are AlterEgo and Familna Vinarna Rizov wineries, which in 2021 were awarded gold medals for their first wine.
This year, Moldovan wines were awarded more than 1150 medals in international competitions, more than 200 medals go to small Moldovan wine producers, members of the Association of Small Moldovan Wine Producers.