Held every year on the third weekend of October, the Stiftungfest is the highlight of the OEVE’s chivalric year. That is precisely why the achievements of the Romanian Consulate at the 2026 edition mark a special milestone, one that has been acknowledged with admiration by the Senate leadership.
Let’s not mince words: these were, in fact, three days full of spectacular results for our delegation!
October 22, 2026 – Blaufränkisch Tournament
In Rust, Austria, Ordo Equestris Vini Europae organized and sponsored the first edition of the European competition dedicated to the Blaufränkisch grape variety (known in Romania as Burgund Mare). Sixteen wines from five countries—Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, and Romania—competed in the Blaufränkisch Turniersieger 2026.
The judging took place in two rounds. In the first round, the international jury evaluated the wines in accordance with OIV regulations. In the second round, the jury and the audience jointly selected the five winners from among the top 10.
Romania effectively captured everyone’s attention: it entered three wines and came home with… three awards:
First Place and Winner of the 2026 Tournament Shield: Crama Deal de Miniș, Burgund Mare Barrel Aged Reserve 2021
2nd Place: Dealul Dorului Winery, Buziaș – Burgund Mare 2022
5th Place: Balla Géza Winery, Burgund Mare – Stonewine 2023
Three out of three! Yet another proof that terroir isn’t just about what the soil, sun, winds, and rains provide, but also about the winemaker’s artistry—not to mention the little piece of the soul that a person puts into it.
On the jury, Romania was represented by Dame Mirela Gabriela Heizer, a specialist inspector with the ONVPV. The partnership between OEVE—the Romanian Consulate—and the ONVPV is once again bearing fruit in promoting the excellence of Romanian wines. Quod erat demonstrandum!
October 23, 2026 – Eques Day
At the Forum of Proconsuls and Legates, Dame Mirela Heizer, secretary of the Consulate’s Oenological Commission, presented the European Indigenous Wines Fair project, an initiative of the Romanian Consulate of the OEVE that actually represents a European-wide expansion of the Romanian Wine Tournament of Native Varieties, which began this year in Romania and concluded in Dealu Mare, Chițorani, during the recent edition of the FCVR.
Both the Senate of the European Order of Wine Knights and the representatives of the national consulates present at the event expressed their full appreciation and willingness to participate in the project. In addition, the Senate of the European Order of Wine Knights approved Vice Consul Marius Farmazon’s proposal that the inaugural edition of the European Indigenous Wines Fair be held in Romania next fall, to kick off the anniversary edition of the Romanian Wine Knights Festival.
At the knighthood ceremony that followed the Forum of Proconsuls and Legates, three of our brothers received the following honors and insignia:
-The Silver/Gold Cross of the Order awarded to Eques Gratzian Mărgărit, Proconsul II of the Consulate of Romania
-Meritum Vini, the OEVE’s highest oenological distinction, awarded to Dame Mirela Heizer, secretary of the Oenological Commission
-The Legat Sash awarded to Eques Radu Ciordaș, Legat I of Silvania
On the same occasion, First Proconsul of the Consulate of the Republic of Moldova (the “sister organization” of the Romanian Consulate), Eques Ornatus Alexandru Sapojnic, received the Meritum Vini award, while the Second Proconsul, Eques Ornatus Aurel Morar, received the Silver/Gold Cross of the Order.
October 24, 2026 – Founding Anniversary
The 2026 Stiftungsfest International Festival opened with the Confederations Cup award ceremony, presented by the Romanian Consulate of the OEVE to “the most dynamic organization within the Ordo Equestris Vini Europae in 2025.” The trophy and diploma were presented to Vice Consul Marius Farmazon by Archduke Karl von Habsburg himself, head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine and Protector of the Ordo Equestris Vini Europae.
During the knighting ceremony that followed, our brother Iudex Valentin Bardașu, Legate II of Bacău, was ennobled to the rank of Eques de Vino and was awarded the Legate’s Collar.
Congratulations to the producers of the award-winning wines at the Blaufränkisch Tournament and to the Brothers honored for their involvement in the Order’s activities! However, the year 2027 awaits us, when we will celebrate two decades of fruitful activity by the Romanian Consulate and when we will all need to come together to mark this milestone as it deserves!
Amicitia per Vinum!
Eques Dan Silviu Boerescu
Image, Communication and PR Advisor
View the full photo gallery here: https://shorturl.at/xWh1s
