V Russian Winemaking Forum Set for October in Gelendzhik

Announcing the V Russian Winemaking Forum

The fifth Russian Winemaking Forum will take place from 21 to 23 October 2026 at the 'White Cape' wine city in Gelendzhik, on the Black Sea coast. The event, which has become the country's largest gathering of wine professionals, will host representatives of federal and regional government, grape growers, winemakers, scientists, investors, retailers and the restaurant industry.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev, who chairs the forum's organising committee, said viticulture and winemaking are among the most dynamic branches of Russia's agro-industrial complex. He credited state support measures, protection for domestic producers, and the adoption of the federal law "On Viticulture and Winemaking" with establishing transparent rules and strict quality and traceability standards in the sector. A key indicator of progress, Patrushev added, is that "consumers are ready to choose domestic wine".

The forum's programme includes the traditional awards ceremony for the Cup of the Association of Winegrowers and Winemakers of Russia, and the presentation of the Prince Lev Golitsyn Prize for contribution to Russian winemaking, co‑founded by the Association, the Roscongress Foundation and the expert community with support from the Ministry of Agriculture. The event is co‑organised by Russian Agricultural Bank, with the Kurchatov Institute serving as strategic scientific partner.

What the Forum Means for Russia's Wine Sector

A Platform Shaped by the 2019 Viticulture Law

The annual forum has mirrored the transformation of the Russian wine industry since the 2019 federal law created a unified regulatory framework. The law tightened rules on grape origin, production methods and labelling, aiming to lift the quality and authenticity of local wines. Over the five years of the forum's existence, it has become the main venue where the practical implementation of that law is discussed — from new vineyard plantings to market access and consumer trust.

Gelendzhik's Emerging Wine Ecosystem

The choice of the White Cape wine city as the venue signals a broader ambition to turn the Black Sea resort area into a national hub for wine tourism, science and hospitality. The infrastructure being developed there combines production facilities, educational programmes and tourist experiences, reflecting a strategy to market Russian wine not just as a product but as part of a cultural and travel ecosystem. The forum, therefore, serves both as a policy workshop and a showcase for the increasingly integrated wine regions of southern Russia.