This year, an award established specifically for divin producers, the “Distillate Creator Trophy” (Trofeul Creatorului de Distilate), was presented for the second time. During the official opening ceremony of National Wine Day, the trophy was awarded to Călărași Divin.
Călărași Divin LLC is one of Moldova’s leading divin producers. It is also one of the few brandy producers with a complete production cycle, from its own vineyards to the bottling of the finished product. Some companies do not grow their own grapes or process them into wine, instead purchasing wine materials for distillation. On the one hand, this makes life easier, but on the other, it leaves them unable to control every stage of the process.
The company owns 523 hectares of vineyards planted with European grape varieties and located in central Moldova. Maintaining these vineyards requires considerable effort, investment, and manpower. However, this has enabled Călărași Divin to become the first producer to introduce products bearing the IGP Divin designation in 2022. These were three-year-old divins, Călărași Legenda VS and Orfeu VS, which opened a new chapter in the history of Moldova’s domestic brandy industry. Five-year-old divins bearing the IGP designation followed, and in 2026, seven-year-old divins were added to the range.
Last year, 6,300 tonnes of grapes were processed at the company’s primary winemaking facility. A new facility was built in 2024 to replace the previous one. Some of the grape harvest was sold to other wineries. The average yield was 13.25 tonnes per hectare.
The company employs 271 people. In 2025, their average salary stood at 14,700 lei, representing an 11.4% increase over the year.
The main advantage of Călărași Divin lies in its complete production cycle, from the grapes to distillation, ageing, and bottling,” says Ion Lozovanu, the company’s General Director. “This enables us to guarantee consistently high product quality and consistency in its organoleptic characteristics, including its aromatic bouquet and taste. Consumers appreciate this consistency and reward our products with their loyalty. This, in turn, affects demand and sales.
In 2025, Călărași Divin produced more than two million bottles of divin, approximately equivalent to the number of people over the age of 18 living in Moldova (2.29 million). Since most of our production is sold on the domestic market, it is easy to understand just how popular our products are at home. For us, the most important recognition comes from consumers, who express their appreciation by purchasing our products.”
Of course, professional recognition is also important. For example, in 2026, Călărași Divin’s products won five awards at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) in the United Kingdom.
The company received silver medals for Status Regal 12 YO XO, Orfeu 5 YO VSOP, Special Collection 5 YO VSOP, and Special Collection 10 YO XO, as well as a bronze medal for Special Collection 7 YO XO.
The company exports its products to Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Italy, and Romania.
Călărași Divin produces divins aged from three to 50 years. Its products are grouped into the Legenda (the most popular), Special Collection, Status Regal, Colecţia de Aur, Orfeu, and Aurum ranges. The company’s products are widely available in Moldova’s retail sector and HoReCa market, and are also sold through its own chain of branded stores, which comprises 10 outlets across the country.
