The AWB Summit identified key areas for the development of Russian viticulture and winemaking

The Summit of the Association of Winegrowers and Winemakers of Russia (ABVR) was held in the Wine City of Bely Mys as part of the V Russian Wine Forum. Representatives of government agencies, the professional community, science, and technology business discussed issues of industry regulation, improving the system of self-regulation, the quality of Russian wine, and producer support.

The main activities of the Association were presented by the Chairman of the Board of the AVVR Zhanna Belovol. Among the priorities are strengthening professional self—regulation mechanisms, scientific support for viticulture, development of the territorial structure, export initiatives and interaction with government agencies.

One of the central topics of the Summit was the inventory of grape plantations. Irina Fedina, Deputy Director of the Department of Food and Processing Industry of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, presented the results of surveys that in 2026 covered 66.8 thousand hectares in 13 regions — almost 3.7 times more than a year earlier. The data obtained confirmed the need to further improve the accuracy of industry accounting and update information from the Federal Register of Grape Plantations.

The issues of state regulation were considered by Olga Evteeva, Head of the Department of Licensing Activities of Rosalokoltabakcontrol. Anatoly Korneev, its chairman, reported on the activities of the ABVR Standardization Commission.

The participants paid special attention to the development of small-scale winemaking. Valery Loginov, Chairman of the Council of Small Winegrowers and Winemakers of the AVVR, presented proposals to reduce administrative barriers, improve legislation on wine tourism and expand opportunities for promoting the products of small farms.

Evgeny Stepanchenko, Chairman of the AVVR Control Commission, and Sergey Storozhenko, Chairman of the Disciplinary Commission, spoke about the results of professional self-regulation. In 2026, 182 organizations were involved in verification activities. One of the important areas of further work will be the improvement of explanatory support for manufacturers and the prevention of violations of industry requirements.

The scientific agenda was presented by Irina Donnik, Chairman of the Commission on Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Among the priority projects are studies of grape yields in the main grape—growing areas of the country, the development of domestic nursery production and strengthening the interaction of science with production.

The improvement of the Russian wine quality assessment system and the prospects for regional tastings were reviewed by Artur Sargsyan, Co-chairman of the Central Tasting Commission of the AVVR. The technological direction was complemented by Ilya Demko, Director of the Geoscan Services Department, who spoke about the company's activities.

The Summit was moderated by Peter Yefremov, Executive Director of the AWBR.

The key outcome of the discussion was the need for an integrated approach to the development of Russian viticulture and winemaking, combining reliable industry accounting, scientific research, professional standards, improved regulation and practical support for producers.

The Association will continue to work in these areas, paying special attention to the effectiveness of self-regulation mechanisms and strengthening cooperation between the state, science and the wine community.

The Forum is organized by the Roscongress Foundation and the Association "Federal Self-Regulatory Organization of Winegrowers and Winemakers of Russia" (FSRO ABVR), with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation. The Forum is co–Organized by Rosselkhoznadzor. The strategic scientific partner is the Kurchatov Institute National Research Center.