Any institution, whether ancient—with roots stretching back to the chivalric networks of the 13th century—or reborn in an era in which the legacy of the banners that launched the Crusades intertwines, more recently, with the bubble of Artificial Intelligence, claims the right to a doctrine—even if it is one in flux, constantly updated by the sociocultural realities of an era that—isn’t that so?—has absolutely no patience, and political upheavals are gathering ever more dark clouds over the World and the Old Continent.
In this context, where the richness of wine symbolizes the fruitfulness of peace, in early July 2026, under the motto “Milites Vini, Milites Pacis,” the 24th plenary session of the Chivalric Academy of the OEVE Senate took place in Austria at the Episcopal Castle in Segau.
The Romanian Consulate participated in the Academy’s proceedings, held in a picturesque castle—the former Styrian residence of the Archbishop of Salzburg—with a delegation led by Eques Paul Stoicescu-Drăgușin, Rector of the Consular Academy, who was entrusted with the noble mission of serving as the bearer of the scepter of the Ordo Equestris Vini Europae.
The delegation included Consiliarius Gabriel Grigore Cioroiu (Bucharest Legate), consular standard-bearer—the only participant to have been elevated to the rank of Marshal Sergeant—and Valentin Bardașu (Bacău Legate), a candidate for the rank of Eques. These two distinguished Brothers have successfully completed the courses required to attain the new and noble titles they have assumed, which they will also exercise at the upcoming edition of the Romanian Wine Knights’ Festival (October 2–3).
IN HONOREM DEI ET IN HONOREM VINI!
