Italy

Igor Puscasu

Igor was fortunate to be born in Moldova, a country with over 5,000 years of winemaking tradition. Yet, pursuing his dream amid political and economic instability required resilience, sacrifice, and the support of incredible people. His grandfather Stefan—and his father before him—made wine at home. He was the first to introduce Igor to this world. His aunt, one of the first female winemakers in the Soviet Union, showed Igor through her example that nothing is impossible. After earning a Master’s degree in Enology, Igor spent years working two harvests per year across both hemispheres—in the USA, Spain, Italy, Moldova, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina. Each vintage brought new lessons and generous mentors who shared their knowledge and passion. One of the most influential figures in his journey has been Luca Currado, who welcomed Igor into the heart of Barolo and shared the secrets of Nebbiolo in one of the world’s most traditional and closed regions. After more than a decade of experience in Barolo, Igor has launched his own winemaking project—rooted both in Barolo and in Moldova. Many talented Moldovans left the country in search of opportunity. Now, with the experience gained abroad, Igor and his compatriots are working to rebuild our wine industry at home. Igor believes that the Artémis Domaines Golden Vines® Scholarship offers a unique opportunity to work with the best in the field.