Published on: 2026-10-13
Source: Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The key topics of the business program of the fifth Russian Winemaking Forum, which will take place from October 21 to 23, 2026 in Gelendzhik, have been identified. The program covers the main areas of industry development – from science, viticulture, and personnel training to the promotion of Russian wine, new sales channels, the restaurant industry, and enotourism.
“In recent years, Russian viticulture and winemaking have made significant progress in their development. Today it is an established strong industry that ensures stable production, is open to new ideas while respecting traditions. Investments are coming into this field, innovations are being implemented. All this allows for improving the quality of products and their popularity among consumers in Russia and abroad. Such results have become possible thanks to the synchronization of efforts between the government, business, and the scientific community. I am convinced that the winemaking forum is an excellent platform for dialogue, exchange of experience, and joint decision-making, which contribute to further positive changes in the industry,” noted Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the Russian Winemaking Forum Dmitry Patrushev.
The central event of the business program will be the plenary session “Wine of Russia: Global Context and National Code.” The discussion will be devoted to the development of Russian winemaking in a global context, the results the industry has achieved in recent years, and the prospects for its further growth. Special attention is planned to be given to the place of Russian wine in the modern economy and culture of the country, as well as its role in shaping the national cultural code.
“Over five years, the Russian Winemaking Forum has become a platform for comprehensive discussion of the development of domestic viticulture and winemaking. At the plenary session, it is important to consider Russian winemaking in a broad context – to assess the industry’s journey, determine its place in the modern economy and culture of the country, and outline directions for further development. The business program will allow moving on to a substantive discussion of specific issues – from science and technology to the promotion of Russian wine, the development of winemaking territories, and interaction with consumers,” noted Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of Russia and Executive Secretary of the forum’s organizing committee.
Another key event will be the strategic session “The Value of Russian Wine: from Terroir and Traditions to Recognition and Demand.” The focus will be on the factors shaping the value of Russian wine, its positioning and promotion, the connection of the product with its origin territory and winemaking traditions, as well as the formation of sustainable consumer demand.
The business program covers a wide range of industry development issues — from viticulture, science, and personnel training to sales, the restaurant industry, media, and consumer interaction. Participants will discuss possible legislative changes aimed at permitting online sales of Russian wine, prospects for the development of small winemaking enterprises, and the interaction between producers and trade and the restaurant industry.
Special attention will be paid to the presence of domestic products in various sales channels. Within the session “Russian Shelf: from Supermarket to Wine Shop,” experts will explore possibilities for further expanding the presence of Russian wines in retail. The interaction between winemaking and the restaurant industry will be the subject of the discussion “Pairing Russian Style: Russian Wine and Restaurant Concepts from Around the World.”
A significant part of the program will be dedicated to promoting Russian wine and developing new ways of communicating with the audience. The program will include the session “Making people fall in love with your wine: branding and communications in winemaking” and the discussion “Wine and media: the new season. Russian wines in cinema and media projects.”
A separate direction of the program is related to the development of wine tourism. Participants in the session “Enotourism in Russia: vectors of development” will discuss the potential of Russian winemaking regions and the further development of tourist routes. The international dimension of this topic will continue at the BRICS Enogastro Tourism Association platform, where the role of Russian wine in the development of international cultural ties will be discussed.
The scientific and educational block will unite discussions about the future of domestic winemaking and personnel support for the industry. The session “Science about wine. How the Russian scientific community today envisions the future of domestic winemaking” will be dedicated to current research and promising directions for industry development. The issue of training specialists will be addressed by participants of the session “Wine and education: current issues in personnel training for the winemaking industry and wine sales sphere.” There will also be a meeting of the science commission of the Association of Russian Viticulturists and Winemakers.
One of the central events of the forum will be the summit of the Association of Russian Grapegrowers and Winemakers (AVVR). In addition, the program includes specialized meetings of the professional community, including a special session of the AVVR Small Winemakers Committee, a discussion called “Masters of the Vine. Who Are You With?” about the development of viticulture, experience exchange among winemakers, and a meeting of Russian sommeliers and tasters.
The business program will be complemented by an exhibition of Russian wine producers, tastings and master classes by winemakers, tours, and film screenings. As part of the forum, there will also be an award ceremony for the laureates of the Lev Golitsyn Prize and the winners of the “AVVR Cup” tasting competition.
The third day of the forum will be dedicated to the cultural and educational program. Participants will visit wineries in the Krasnodar region, the Lev Golitsyn museum, and master classes at the ‘White Cape’ research center. There are also planned an open golf lesson, wine tastings, and film screenings on the topic of viticulture and winemaking.
The forum is organized by the Roscongress Foundation and the Association of the Federal Self-Regulatory Organization of Grape Growers and Winemakers of Russia, with the support of the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture. The co-organizer of the forum is Rosselkhozbank. The strategic scientific partner is the National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute.”
Official forum website – wineforum.info. Telegram channel – “First wine.”
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