moldova wine cellar tour

The Best Wine Tasting & Tours In Moldova

Browse Through The Best Selection Of Moldova Wine Tours

Wine tasting and tour at Vinaria Din Vale

A chance to taste their most awarded wines and know about their terroir at Vinaria Din Vale Wine Tasting & Tour

Wine tasting and tour at Et Cetera

Enjoy a winery tour, taste natural wine from the barrel, and indulge in wine tasting paired with homemade food at their restaurant

Wine tasting and tour at Carlevana Winery

Share an amazing wine tasting and tour at Carlevana Winery

Wine tasting and tour at Basavin Winery

Bespoke Wine Tasting, Cellar Tour, and Family’s Rich Winemaking History

Excursion and Wine Tasting - Vintage Package

Experience Fine Wines and Tour around Château Purcari

Excursion and Wine Tasting - Package Nr 4 Premium

A Wine Excursion

Excursion and Wine Tasting - Package Nr 4

Excursion and Wine Tasting - Package Nr 3 at Château Purcari

Excursion and Wine Tasting - Package Nr 2 Premium at Château Purcari

Excursion and Wine Tasting - Package Nr 2 at Château Purcari

Excursion and Wine Tasting - Package 3 Premium

Excursion and Wine Tasting - Package 1 Premium at Château Purcari

Moldova wine tours offered by local guides.

Discover Moldova's wine scene together with knowledgeable local wine tour guides.

Visit of Tourist Complex “Chateau Cojusna” with Tasting

Exploring Wines to the Fullest

Private Tour from Chisinau to Milesti Mici winery with Tasting

An Interesting Tasting of some of their Best Wines

Cricova Cellar Wine Tasting Tour

Immerse in Codru Wines

Excursion to Cricova and Milestii Mici Wineries with Wine Tasting

A Fun Excursion to Moldova Wineries

Branesti Cellars Visit & Champagne Tasting from Chisinau

Sharing Wine Culture

Moldova Wine Map

Looking for a more specific destination, read more about moldova.

Everything you need to know before you take a tour to Moldova

Best Wine Tastings and Tours in Moldova wine regions

The long viticulture and winemaking tradition in Moldava reflects its 11th place in the top European wine producers. Breathtaking landscapes surround the vineyards, in addition to a unique terroir. Explore the wine tasting and tours in Molvada at WineTourism.com.

There are three historical wine regions in Modalva that every wine enthusiast must visit. Valul lui Traian locates in the southwest, where the best red wines of the country are produced. Stefan-Voda , in the southeast, is the warmest zone in the country and its terroir assures distinct wines. Finally, Codru is at the hilly center of Moldava and is the largest and most important area in terms of production.

To explore all the partner wineries of WineTourism.com in Moldava, check out our winery map. Book now a visit to the wineries in Molvava and keep diving into the world of wines.

Are you interested in reading more about Moldova?

Are you interested in reading more about Moldova? Read our Moldova wine country guide section, or visit our selection of the very best Moldova wineries that you can visit during your stay.

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Moldova Wine Tours

Drive through a wine cellar.

Visit the biggest wine cellar in the world on our Moldova wine tours. This ex-Soviet Union country has a long history of wine production, far older than it being part of the USSR. The country even looks like a bunch of grapes as you can see in the map below.

• Visit the largest cellar in the world – holding around 2 million bottles
• Travel inside a cellar system that is so big you have to do it by car
• Enjoy some truly spectacular wineries – Castel Mimi for example.
• Stay at unusual or quirky vineyard hotels – sleep in a barrel!
• Combine Moldova with Ukraine – or take a complete wine triangle
• Enjoy being out in beautiful countryside, churches and village life
• Learn a little about Moldovan culture and its complicated wine history
• Try some regional dishes, paired with indigenous grapes of course

Moldova is green, very green – with swathes of vineyards and cultivated fields everywhere you look. Vines, sunflowers and fruit trees are everywhere. The vineyards around Purcari are right on the border with Ukraine so from there it is an easy hop over to visit wineries around Odesa and add yet another country to your wine tour list.

There are a number of unusual and very memorable winery visits on our Moldova wine tours schedules, there are impressive and beautiful locations, vineyards and some lovely places to stay. Everything is custom-designed and there are many options that we can offer to make your trip adventurous, informative and great fun. Below we will talk about some of the options.

Two wineries close to the capital city Chisinau are immense. Their cellars are housed in tunnels many kilometers long and you visit in your own car ( Milestii Mici ) or using a small custom-made train (Cricova). Both of these wineries will be included in your visits, they are both impressive and Milestii Mici holds the Guinness World Record for the biggest wine cellar in the world.

In addition to these huge winery cellars, we take you to see some boutique-style places also. One of our favorites is the family-owned and run Et Cetera.  Here the Luchianov family produce some delicious wine with Alexandru Luchianov being the winemaker as well as the owner. His wife Olga deals with hospitality as they also boast a lovely boutique hotel and a restaurant with views over the vines, you will enjoy a tour and tasting here with Olga or Alex.

Green, green and more green!

Two other places we love are Asconi and Gogu. Asconi is a really attractive and slightly quirky winery where you will be certain to take plenty of photos. Gogu (and several others) are the epitome of boutique winery production where owners and winemakers love the chance to show you around. It really doesn’t matter which of the smaller wineries we show you because they all have something interesting to offer and you will learn plenty about Moldovan wine.

Trust us to combine large wineries such as the immense Milestii Mici with boutique places to give you a great contrast; you will also enjoy the family-run, lower investment wineries with those that astound with the level of investment such as Castel Mimi which is shown in the photo below.

The general plan would be to visit Milestii Mici and Cricova, plus some non-wine related places (such as the lovely Butuceni Village ) from the capital before venturing out to stay in wine country and visit some outlying wineries such as Purcari and Et Cetera.

Moldova wine tours extension

We highly recommend three nights on our Moldova wine tours if you choose to stay within the one country. This time will allow you to get a great overview of the country. However, there are a number of neighboring wine-producing countries which we can have you visit providing a regional view of wine in this part of the “old world”.

Extend your time in this part of the wine world with our Former Soviet Wine triangle 9 day, 3 country tour.

winetours_winetasting No matter how much you like wine it doesn't have t We love @estampawine for our guests with their ama Tough work, but someone has to check the wine is O The first of two days touring and sipping with Sue We are used to seeing Alpacas, but not in vineyard The Jackson group starting an epic 8-day road trip Load More Follow on Instagram +1 to our guide being AMAZING - totally a history buff (about everything). Guide's English was perfect which was important to translate things at wineries. Our driver was AMAZING and made me feel super calm (I'm nervous on roads) SUCH unique experiences! It was hard for our wine experiences with our wine group to match the ones on this 2 day tour! I LOVED the experiences and the meals were incredible at the wineries. Caitlin and Lynn - Wine Touring in Turkey - July 202 2

What an amazing road trip we had! The route from Salta to Mendoza is so interesting, not just for wine but all the landscapes and cultural experiences, its hard to find 6 days in a South American trip with so much other stuff to do but if you can then do it. The Phillips family - Oregon USA - December 2023

Thanks again for a spectacular day.  Great wine, unique wineries, insightful conversations and a definite memory maker. We were too tired to finish all the vino so we left 2 bottles from RE for you at the Doubletree check-in desk under your name. Until we meet again and with our warm regards The Brun / Hartzell group, Ohio USA - Jan 2022

We enjoyed a 3 day wine trip in the Colchagua region of Chile with Gary and Malka - just incredible! They took us to vineyards that we had never heard of; all of which were interesting and different in their own way. Gary and Malka are both super knowledgable, extremely passionate about wine and just really nice / professional people to spend time with. Steven & Meg, Aberdeen, UK - Sept 2021

What a great time we had in Georgia drinking Qvevri wine, we will be coming back and adding Armenia and maybe Turkey next time. Gary did a great job in the planning, he obviously knows his stuff! The Sanders Family, NY, USA - Jan 2020

Learn More!

• The Origins of Wine
• Chilean Wine
• Extreme Wineries
• Whites + Tannins
• Ancient Wine Snobs

Theme: Illdy .

1 DAY:Moldova Wine tour to Chateau Purcari and Asconi Cellar

• Wine degustation
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Entry/Admission - Purcari Wine Bar
• Entry/Admission - Asconi Winery
• Chișinău, Moldova You will be pick up from your hotel.
• Wheelchair accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Infants must sit on laps
• Transportation is wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Similar experiences

• Paul O 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent trip to Odessa. Despite the war in Ukraine, we felt safe at all times Had fantastic trip to Odessa. Our guide, Corneliu Scurtu, was excellent and very knowledgeable. The city of Odessa is amazing and a ‘must-see’ in my opinion. It is on the world heritage list for a good reason. Read more Written October 8, 2023
• Relax03248566034 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Russian occupied Moldova Russian controlled state with its own currency within the borders of Moldova and bordering Ukraine...easy to enter with passport Read more Written October 5, 2023
• 14marwanee 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Super awesome full day tour with a very cultivated, informed, witty, energetic and funny guide, Lilya! We did the full day tour to Transnistria, a country that does not exist, back in USSR, The trip was really very enjoyable and relaxed, whilst very rich in sights and a ton of discoveries and photos, our guide, Lilya, took us everywhere and all crossings and visits were swift and easy going, we received a ton of explanations and answers to all imaginable questions we had about Transnistria, Moldova, economy, politics, history and even football with the Sheriff FC! The car is super confortable and a 4X4, and we got a nice discount because there were 4 of us in the visit, the booking went swiftly and neatly over whatsapp the day before the tour as the guys at the agency are very reactive. All in all an excellent day where Lilya, our guide, spent several extra hours with us on top of the planned time without complaining or pushing us to hurry up because we were running around exploring and taking photos, buying coins and souvenirs, so she was really patient and flexible with us. Thanks a lot! Much Love! Read more Written September 15, 2023
• CindyF1031 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best tour guide ever-- Cornel! We had a lovely time in August, traveling from Chisinau to Transnistria and Odessa! Our guide Cornel(iu) was the most thoughtful and kind person ever. He navigated our journey well and kept us safe. He has a great sense of humor and is always engaging and helpful. To be frank, we were a bit worried about the instability and unrest in Odessa prior to going, but he kept us safe. Transnistria was very intriguing place, I loved all the architecture and sculptures. We dined at a USSR-style cafeteria. We spent about 3 hours in Odessa, it was a short time, but we felt it was important to support the locals, so we were so thankful for the experience! Thank you Corneliu! Much appreciation for Liliya as well, who helped coordinate and manage the tour. Read more Written August 16, 2023
• anitaw514 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A must do 1-day trip to Transnistria and Odesa! Fully packed 16 hour excursion to Transnistria and Odesa from Chișinău. Booked this one day tour impromptu same day after meeting a fellow traveler from Slovakia that booked this trip in advance. We were guided in a nice private car by fabulous, knowledgeable and fun tour guide, Cornel Scurtu. Cornel’s English was outstanding, as was his enthusiasm to show us everything possible in a short time frame. It was a fully packed day, visiting the old wooden church Muzeul Satului where we saw a peacock shake its feathers. What a sight! Then we were off to sample some sauerkraut and Placinte’s on the way to Mimi castle, now a winery, and site of the June 1st European Political Community Summit. We drove on to Transnistria where we visited the former Russian military base in what is now Bender Fortress. Interesting, if not disturbing, torture museum there. We then walked around the surreal city of Tiraspol which feels and looks like a 1950s Soviet republic, where we viewed the famous monument to Lenin in front of the government administration building, War Memorial & Park, and dined at a nice café, also sampled Kvass at a street vendor, saw the Yuri Gagarin mural, and several government and administration buildings, in this self proclaimed Republic of Transnistria, that is actually part of Moldova. We traveled back to Moldova to go through the border at Palanca into Ukraine and onto city of Odesa, where we had an ad hoc walk around the city, viewed the national theater, and had some beers at a cafe. In this beautiful Parisian architecture city, you would not know that a war was going on, except coming through the border area. Cornel was most mindful of our safety throughout this day, and shared with us his objective and deep knowledge of the history of the places and sites viewed. I was initially reluctant to book this trip due to safety reasons. I’m so glad I went. Highly recommend Cornel Scurtu and this tour company. Read more Written July 7, 2023
• TimeTravelerTodd 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A Perfect Day! The trip started with our guide, Liliya, an exceptionally knowledgeable professional whose experience, communications skills and positive, upbeat attitude set the tone for a great day at Cricova Winery and Ohrei Monastery. The winery tour and tasting was a great experience, while I left Ohrei Monastery and the nearby village, with a complete sense of awe and appreciation for the people an rich history of Moldova. It would be foolish for anyone to visit Moldova and NOT share this experience. Read more Written June 10, 2023
• josephgV8585PR 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Tour of transnistria from Chișinău Very interesting, I would recommend to everyone! Saw many many good sights and learned a lot of history! Read more Written June 7, 2023
• K3195SMmb 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Interesting tour, great tour guide! Excellent tour, great tour guide! I learned a lot that day, never felt bored. Lilya is very attentive, knowledgeable and a fun person to be around. Will send my friends on the same tour when they visit! Read more Written April 6, 2023
• Michaelegan2011 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Brilliant tour by Liliya From beginning to end the tour was brilliant both of Transnistria and winery. Liliya was an excellent tour guide, nothing was a problem. Read more Written March 11, 2023
• Arthurdiabolod 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles We highly recommend The tours was excellent and very informative to visit this country Transnistria .start from Chișinău Read more Written February 6, 2023
• danil0v4 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent tour !!! Excellent tour !!! Attentive guide, informative tour. As if plunging into a real country of the Soviet Union. I recommend Read more Written February 3, 2023
• Austin R 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Gagauzia + Traditional Restaurant in Congaz Gagauzia îs a place I have dreamt about going to for years but never did. In 2018, I read an ethnography about the Gagauz people and have been fascinated ever since. Thankfully, this tour allowed me to see the pages I read about. My favorite parts of the tour were visiting the village of Besalma where the National Gagauz History and Ethnographic Museum is. Igor was a great guide, he answered my questions and was cool to be around. Read more Written January 27, 2023
• gabrielvv89 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Visiting the country that doesn't exist Truly unique experience, with the best guide you could desire, Liliya was a fount of wisdom, so kind to show me places and even give me some recommendations outside of the scope of the travel. I highly recommend it. Read more Written December 17, 2022
• lutzgoral 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles It was nice and interesting Especially Old-Orhei was amazing!!! I had many tours like this in my life but never such a perfect and empathic tour-guide. Thank you Liliya! I surely come back next year and hope I can convince some friends of mine to come with me. 2 small suggestions I have: 1. Because of the conditions of light for taking pictures it would be better to be at first in Curchi and after that in Orhei. 2. The booking INCLUDED the (very tasty!) lunch but I had to pay it there. I had no problem with paying it, but it would be better you don't promise something that you don't keep. Thank you for all! Hope to meet you next year again. Please send me some offers for tours for 4 persons (for direct booking without Booking.com) Special greetings to Liliya Read more Written November 10, 2022
• danil0v4 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles I highly recommend this tour with moldtovatovist my tour start from pick up at 10.am. my tour guide was very well informed about Transnistria, history, political and nowadays situation. Thank you a lot Lilia for this tour. Read more Written September 30, 2022

More to explore in Chisinau

1 DAY:Moldova Wine tour to Chateau Purcari and Asconi Cellar provided by Moldovatovisit

• Moldova Wine Tour

Wine – this drink is famous for Moldova. And if you want to enjoy amazing Moldovan wine, as well as visit the most famous wineries, then this tour is designed specifically for you. You will walk through the underground galleries and see the world famous cellars of Cricova, Mileștii Mici, Asconi, Et Cetera, Purcari, Vinuri de Comrat, Mimi Castle. Of course, all trips involve tasting wines and dishes of national cuisine.

Arrival at Chisinau International Airport

Meeting with guests.

Sightseeing tour in Chisinau

The city center is an ideal base for exploring historical and cultural attractions. Here we will see the well-preserved buildings of the Mayoralty and the Organ Hall, the Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe and of course the monument to the Great Stefan - the legendary ruler of the Principality of Moldova.

Welcome dinner

Traditional Moldavian cuisine.

Breakfast in the hotel

A continental breakfast is served.

Departure from Chisinau

Transfer to the Moldovan village of Curchi, where one of the most beautiful sights and significant architectural monuments is located - The Monastery of Curchi.

Visiting The Curchi Monastery

Visit to the monastery with ancient history, located in a picturesque place on the lake in Moldavian Codri. Curchi Monastery is one of the oldest in Moldova. The summer church of the Nativity of the Virgin was built in the years 1866-1867 in the Baroque style. The cathedral is the highest in Moldova - the average dome reaches 57 meters and is the ``twin`` of the church of St. Andrew the First-Called in Kiev.

Transfer to Old Orhei

Old Orhei is a historical and archaeological complex in the eponymous natural and cultural reserve of Moldova.

Archaeological complex Old Orhei

A unique place with a special energy, saturated with the history of several civilizations that left us with a rich cultural heritage: Geto-Dacians (VI - I century BC), Slavs (XII-XIII century), Tatar-Mongols (Golden Horde - XIV century), Moldavians (XIV - XVII century). Today, we have the opportunity to visit the rocky Christian monastery, the ruins of a mosque and a caravanserai, the ruins of the baths near the Raut river, the mausoleums left after the Muslim city of Shehr al-Jedid and enjoy the incredible beauty of natural landscapes.

Lunch at the restaurant “Eco Resort Butuceni”

Lunch in a rural pension with a large selection of Moldavian national dishes (mamalyga, placenta, zama) and homemade wine.

Transfer to city Cricova

Cricova is located near the capital of Moldova. It is here that the famous wine cellars “CRICOVA” are located - one of the main attractions of Moldova.

Wine cellar tour “CRICOVA”

Wine cellars “CRICOVA” - a symbol and pride of Moldovan winemaking, having the status of the national cultural heritage of the country. Galleries stretched over 120 km long, each street having its own wine name: Cabernet, Aligote, Dionysus, Fetyaska and others. A unique collection of wines is stored here, among them the oldest and only one of its kind - Easter Jerusalem, produced in 1902. Cricova cellars were visited by such outstanding personalities as Yuri Gagarin, Vladimir Putin, Angela Merkel and many others. Acquaintance with the technology of wine production, a walk in the cellar, tasting three types of wine.

Return to Chisinau

Transfer to the hotel. Free time.

Transfer to the estate of Manuc-Bei - a famous politician of the Ottoman Empire.

Visiting Manuc-Bei Estate

The palace of the Armenian boyar, who served as a diplomatic translator at the court of the Sultan, is located in the city of Hincesti. Manuk-Emanuil Mirzoyan played a significant role in one of the Russian-Turkish wars, when he actively contributed to the conduct of peace negotiations between the Ottoman and Russian Empire. The estate complex consists of several buildings: a palace, a hunting lodge, service buildings, a library.

Transfer to the winery “Milestii Mici”

Milestii Mici is a real wine kingdom underground, which is located at a depth of 85 meters.

Guided tour of the “Milestii Mici” wine galleries

Acquaintance with one of the most famous wineries in Moldova. There are more than 200 kilometers of underground galleries. Winery ``Milestii Mici`` was listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest wine collection, which has about 1.5 million bottles. An excursion awaits us, tasting 3 types of wine and lunch.

Transfer to the winery “Asconi”

Asconi is one of the largest wine producers in Moldova, specializing primarily in the production of wines from classic French grape varieties.

Visiting ``Asconi`` winery

As part of a tour of the winery, you will get acquainted with the process of wine production, as well as with the features of growing, harvesting and processing grapes. At the end of the tour, everyone can have a good time and have dinner in the restaurant of the winery with a large selection of dishes of Moldavian national cuisine.

Transfer to the village of Crocmaz.

Visit to ``Et Cetera`` Winery

“Et Cetera” is a family winery in Moldova, located in one of the most favorable areas for viticulture. You will have the opportunity to taste quality wines directly from the barrel.

Transfer to the winery “Purcari”

“Purcari” - the legendary wine cellars that have remained unchanged since 1827.

``Purcari`` Winery Tour

Excursion to the winery “Purcari” - the birthplace of the famous wines “Negru de Purcari” and “Roșu de Purcari”, which are served at the Queen’s court. One of the features is that the winery is located at the same latitude as the wine region of France - Bordeaux. The wines acquire a purple hue due to rubidium in the soil.

Departure from Chisinau to Transnistria

Crossing the Moldavian - Transnistrian border. Customs control.

Visit to Bender Fortress

One of the largest fortresses in Moldova and Europe, which begins its history from the 12th century, is located in the city of Bender on the banks of the Dniester River. She played an important role in numerous military campaigns.

Transfer to Tiraspol

You will get acquainted with the history of Tiraspol, the most important political, cultural and economic center of Transnistria.

Tour of Tiraspol

On the left bank of the Dniester in Transnistria, is the city of Tiraspol - the third largest city in Moldova. The history of the city begins in 1792, after which a peace treaty was signed between the Russian and Ottoman empires. Visiting sights and interesting places such as: the central square of Suvorov, the oldest theater of Moldova named after Aronetskaya, Victory Park and others.

Lunch at the Kumanek restaurant

The original interior of the restaurant offers traditional dishes of Ukrainian and European cuisine.

Transfer to The Castle “Mimi”

Mimi Castle is currently one of the most beautiful architectural masterpieces in the world of wine.

Visit to the wine castle “Mimi”

You will get acquainted with the unique attraction of Moldova, an interesting object of the world wine industry. It was the winery ``Mimi``, at the very beginning of its existence, raised the level of viticulture and winemaking in the country to a new, more modern level. She was visited by Nicholas II himself - the last monarch of Russia. Tasting three types of wine.

Transfer to Gagauzia - an autonomous territorial entity in the south of Moldova.

Sightseeing tour of the city of Comrat

Comrat is the capital and the most important center of Gagauzia. The first official mention of the city dates back to 1789, as evidenced by various written sources. Visiting the main attractions and places like the Walk of Fame, the Orthodox Cathedral of St. John, a monument to V.I. Lenin and others.

Transfer to the ``Vinuri de Comrat`` Winery

The winery was founded in 1897, in the city of Comrat.

Tour of the winery “Vinuri de Comrat”

You will visit one of the most famous wine enterprises of Gagauzia, get acquainted with the history of winemaking, wine production technology in these parts. A tasting of five types of wine and lunch is also provided.

Transfer to the village of Besalma

Besalma was founded in 1791. The village is famous for its custom to preserve the traditions and culture of the Gagauz people.

Excursion to the Gagauz Museum in Besalma

Visiting the world's first museum of Gagauz culture and life named after Dmitry Kara Choban, getting to know more than 15,000 exhibits. Optionally, a photo session in national Gagauzian costumes.

You can visit the souvenir market and purchase souvenirs from Moldova.

Transfer to Chisinau International Airport

Included in cost:

• Transport throughout the route
• Accommodation 6 nights in 3 * hotels (Chisinau)
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Welcome Dinner (1st evening)
• Lunches (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th day)
• Wine tasting: Cricova – 3 types, Miletii Mici – 5 types, Asconi – 5 types, Et Cetera – 5 types, Purcari – 3 types, Castel MiMi – 3 types, Vinuri de Comrat – 5 types
• Excursions according to the program
• Guide Services
• Entrance tickets according to the program

Moldova Wine Tour

Wine Tour is available for groups from 2 pax.

Day 1: First Acquaintance with Moldovan Wine-Urban Winery „Atu“.

Upon arrival in Chisinau you’re going to visit the first urban winery in Moldova located right in Chisinau, at a very short distance from the airport Chisinau. It’s a perfect chance to taste wines which are produced manually.

Day 2 : Underground city of wines and open-air museum complex

Today you’ll see our underground city of Cricova with famous wine cellars, and even taste some of their perfect wines and sparkling-wines.

You’ll see a large wine collection and get acquainted with the process of wine and sparkling wine production.

The oldest wine to be stored there is a Jerusalem Wine (1902). Cricova is a unique place housing historic wines among which Goering’s collection, the winery is proud for.

While exploring Orhei region you’ll visit an impressive monastery complex that presents the remains of different civilizations established between Nistru and Prut rivers.  

Here, you’ll taste the delicacies of the Moldovan cuisine and enjoy traditional folk show. You’ll spend evening in a pleasant atmosphere of a local sommelier of the wine shop&bar “Invino” in Chisinau and will find about best wines of Moldova.

Day 3: The oldest monastery and the biggest wine collection

Today, you’re going to discover the oldest Moldovan monastery and the legendary wine collection of Milestii Mici winery. Capriana monastery is considered to be the oldest one in Moldova and is located in a beautiful area of Codrii forests.  It was founded by the great Moldovan Ruler Stefan the Great. Closed and dilapidated during the post-war period, it was only reopened again in 1989, becoming a symbol of national revival.

After breathing the fresh air of Codrii, get into one of the biggest wine cellars in the world and witness “the Golden Collection Milestii Mici” entering the Guinness Book of Records for storing more than 1.5 Million bottles of harmonious wines “Pinot”, “Traminer”, “Muscat”, “Riesling”, “Feteasca”, “Codru”, “Negru de Purcari”.

Next stop of the day will be the village of Puhoi housing the winery “Asconi”. Asconi winery has been producing excellent wines by implementing the best technologies and at the same time preserving old Moldavian traditions of wine making. The winery is aiming at producing best ever wines by combining French varietals such as Merlot, Muscat, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon with local ones like Feteasca Neagra and Feteasca Alba.

Day 4: European Quality Standards of Chateau Vartely and Stone Epoch of Branesti

Morning drive to Orhei region to explore a new area of professional wine-makers. First winery to be visited on the route will be Chateau Vartely Winery placed on a hill and opening an astonishing view on the town Orhei, surrounding area and vineyards.

You’re going to taste prominent quality wines highly appreciated by distinguished experts at various international competitions. Chateau Vartely is a

unique Moldovan project for producing wines according to classic European quality standards.

The company has planted young vines brought from European winegrowers, thus giving some special aristocratic notes to future Moldavian wines. Another interesting place of visit of this area is a carpets studio where hand-made articles and carpets with traditional Moldovan ornament are stored and carefully preserved by the owner of the collection herself. Take a tour around the property where the mistress will personally tell the origin of each carpet and article exposed there.

Afternoon visit to an underground “Stone Epoch” winery of Branesti village. Take a tour to a really impressive wine cellar “Branesti” stretching for over 55 km under the ground with unique tasting halls with sophisticated architecture and interior covered with perennial dust that’s originally preserved and untouched. The winery is specializing in red and white wines, dry and semi-dry wines as well as sparkling wines which are really inviting. But of special demand and interest are the wines like Marsala, Madeira, pastoral wines involving special technology in producing them.

Day 5: back to ussr and wine castle mimi.

This day you will have a full day trip to Transnistria and will learn the history of this self-proclaimed independent and unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic that has its own currency, border guards and policy.

Afternoon visit to a gorgeous castle and winery “Castel MIMI” and enjoy perfect wines. Castel MIMI is a winery with a history         that takes us centuries back when the first chateau was founded in Bessarabia by an outstanding personality Constantin Mimi. He has contributed to modernization of Bessarabian viticulture- he has planted new European varietal which is more productive and more resistant to diseases such as Aligote. All guests of this unique castle can savor delicious meals from local eco products served in a winery restaurant offering nice atmosphere and refined dishes.

Day 6: High Quality Wines of the South East Region

Today, you’ll explore the area of the south-east of Moldova with a very gentle climate that’s explained by a

vicinity of the Black Sea. First winery to be discovered is EtCetera -a small but a very promising family run property. Being located close to the Black Sea and the river Nistru, the winery enjoys favorable climate conditions for viticulture. By sampling sparkling wines from EtCetera you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the combination of tender color, thin taste and berry aroma.

Later proceed to the oldest wine-estate in Moldova Chateau Purca r i.

The winery Purcari boasts high-quality wines, and you’ll surely sample legendary wines from selected grapes.

Walk into the cellars where the wine is matured in oak barrels and bottles, including the Purcari wine collection. Feel the refined taste of gorgeous vintage wines like Rosu de Purcari, Alb de Purcari and Negru de Purcari which is considered to be Queen Elisabeth’s II one of the favorite wines.

Day 7: Farewell to Moldova

Before taking your flight back home, be sure you have bought wine souvenirs from the country of excellent wines – Moldova!

Choose Wine Tasting packages in the wineries if you have a short stay in Moldova on wine tastings.

WINE FESTIVAL PROGRAM 2023

Submit your reservation on [email protected]

• Full day wine tours
• Winery tours
• Rural guesthouses
• Transport & Events

Cricova Winery

"Cricova" JSC is a pearl of the Moldovan wine that represents an unique underground city well-known all over the world by its huge labyrinths, and especially by its excellent wines. "Cricova" is the first winery in Moldova which makes sparkling wine as it was prepared by the monk - wine maker Pierre Perignon. The technology "Méthode Traditionnelle" is a complex and thin process, consisting in secondary, in-bottle fermentation and the subconsequent maturation "cuvée".

The displayed prices do not include transport to the winery, which can be arranged upon request for an extra charge.

• Winery description
• Offers and packages

Cellars of Cricova are the house of a remarkable collection of wines – The National Oenotec. This comprises a series of unique historical exhibits, for example the world's only bottle of the priceless "Jerusalem of Easter" vintage 1902. German Field Marshal Hermann Göring’s private collection of wine is also there. It was brought to Moldova by the general during WW II to be close to him at the Eastern front. Politicians, celebrities, and collectors from around the world have special collections here. Including, John Kerry, Vladimir Putin, and Angela Merkel. At this moment, the Collection is formed from about 1,3 mln. of bottles. It is hard to say a concrete figure that would correspond to its real price.

Cricova Cellars are a really remarkable place of the world, where history, archeology and art of winemaking are united into one, thus they gave birth to such miracle as Subterranean Galleries, a real Subterranean City. Avenues, streets, lanes...only the names they carry are unusual: Cabernet, Dionis, Feteasca, Chardonnay, Sauvignon...; according to the wine variety kept in oak casks found in the adjacent niches. These are situated at a depth of about 80m (90 yards) under the ground, with subterranean galleries that stretch out at a length of more than 70 km (43  miles). Cricova has been declared a national cultural patrimony by law. "Cricova" enterprise is the only Moldavian company that was granted the highest recognition - the Order of the Republic. 

Tastings are held in one of the 5 underground tasting halls: "European Hall", "Casa Mare", "Sea-Bottom", "Presidential Hall", "Fireplace Hall". These big halls are spacious and likable. Cricova Cellars will certainly leave a strong impression and unforgettable memory to each visitor.

not available

* Cuisine type: National, European.

* Number of halls: 3

* Total seats: 122

* Outdoor seating: no

* Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 10:00-23:00

* Planned special events: St Valentine, International Women's Day on 8th March, Christmas, New Year, Wine Fair (1st weekend of November).

Wine experience

* Guided tours, guided tastings, team-building programs, parties and special events.

* Tours available in Romanian, Russian, English, French.

Amenities and other services

* Underground cinema

Orașul Subteran

(Underground city) includes only a guided winery tour, no wine tasting ***The indicated price is per person.

21€ standard price

26€ weekend and evening price.

includes a guided winery tour, a tasting of 4 types of wine. For wine tasting are offered: crackers, nuts and mineral water. ***The indicated price is per person.

31€ standard price

37€ weekend and evening price, professional.

includes a guided winery tour, a tasting of 6 types of wine. For wine tasting are offered: cheese plate and mineral water. ***The indicated price is per person. Min 3-4 people in group

42€ standard price

47€ weekend and evening price.

includes a guided winery tour, a tasting of 5 types of wine. The wines are paired with a 4 course traditional dinner. ***The indicated price is per person. Min 4 people in group

52€ standard price

57€ weekend and evening price, traditional.

includes a guided winery tour, a tasting of 8 types of wine. The wines are paired with a 8 course traditional dinner. ***The indicated price is per person. Min 4 people in group

83€ standard price

88€ weekend and evening price.

includes a guided winery tour, a tasting of 9 types of wine. The offer includes also a dinner with 9 local and European dishes. ***The indicated price is per person. Min 4 people in group

145€ standard price

150€ weekend and evening price, vip - only private tour.

includes a private guided winery tour, no wine tasting. ***The indicated price is per person.

42€ weekend and evening price

Tour booking, thank you for booking with us.

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VAT at the legal rate included; additional purchases/orders on-site have to be paid separately.

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Cancellations less than 24 hrs prior the experience / check-in date or no shows will be charged with a 20-100% cancellation fee, depending on the type of services.

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Suggested tours

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The wine road of Moldova

The Wine Routes of Moldova include the best of Moldova’s wine heritage sites, highlighting Moldovan wineries and cultural heritage. As a recognized official “Iter Vitis” Cultural Route of the Council of Europe , these wine routes take wine lovers and travellers to Moldova on an deep exploration of Moldovan wine to visit Moldovan wineries in four historic wine regions: Codru , Valul lui Traian , Stefan Voda and Divin .

“Iter Vitis” wine routes of Moldova

Officially launched in 2020 the “Iter Vitis” Wine routes of Moldova are inviting guest to explore the sites of 28 wine producers, of these, 11 are small wine growers, 2 are world famous record-breaking underground cellars, and 15 leading wineries. By 2022 the route will expand to 55 wine sites and dozens of authentic wine experiences.

Download Iter Vitis routes brochure

Enotourism Guide of Moldova

The National Office of Vine and Wine, the organization that is actively supporting and monitoring the development of the wine sector in Moldova, including encourage wine tourism related activities. The organization has published the Enotourism Guide Republic of Moldova , which is embedding valuable information about the wine regions of the country, the grape varieties harvested, in the guide there are described in detail numerous wineries, both famous factories and brands, but not excluding small family wineries.

The Enotourism Guide is also presenting the main tourist destinations of Moldova, describing iconic locations such as Orheiul Vechi, recommending pensions, listing distinct monasteries, mentioning the locations of tasting rooms in the capital and presenting general information of interest for travelers.

Download the Enotourism Guide of Moldova

Wine routes of Moldova

Divine Route

• Distance: approximately 360 km
• Travel time: 3 days
• Nr. of wineries: 4

Valul lui Traian Geographical Indication Route

• Distance: approximately 400 km
• Nr. of wineries: 8

Codru Geographical Indication Region

• Distance: approximately 750 km
• Travel time: 4 days
• Nr. of wineries: 15

Ștefan Vodă Geographical Indication Region

• Distance: approximately 150 km
• Travel time: 2 days
• Nr. of wineries: 5

Chisinau walking city wine tour

• Distance: approximately 3 km
• Travel time: 1 day

Bike trip to tasting rooms in Chisinau

• Distance: approximately 5 km
• Travel time: 0.5 day

One-day escape to the Center of Moldova

• Distance: approximately 100 km
• Nr. of wineries: 3

The Artisanal Wines route for distinguished experiences

• Nr. of wineries: 6

Artisanal Wines Route

• Distance: aproximativ 215 km

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Experience a Moldova Wine Tour

Mark Stewart January 13, 2019 Destinations 2 Comments

It should come as no secret that Kylee and I are huge fans of wine. We’ve tasted wine all around the world, travelled to dozens of wine regions and have even worked in wineries. So during our time in Moldova, taking in some of the incredible wine the country is producing was a must.

Moldova is a tiny, landlocked country in Eastern Europe. Wedged between Romania and Ukraine, it’s rarely on the radar of most travellers. But whether you’re a sommelier expanding your palette or a curious traveller who enjoys a quality glass of wine – Moldova is calling.

First a little Moldovan Wine History

Moldova has produced wine for over 3000 years, so it’s confident to say they’ve got experience. Yet, the wines of Moldova haven’t made a mark on the world stage until very recently. Today, close to one quarter of the countries population works in the industry in some form. As well, they’re the only country in the world to celebrate a national wine day!

With wineries dating as far back as 1827, it’s clear they’re not new to the game. So why did it take so long for the wine of Moldova to grab international attention? In short, it was Communism.

The Slow Years

The quality of Moldovan wines have been recognized as early as the mid-1800’s. Several had even won international awards in France. When communism arrived and Moldova became part of the USSR, things developed into a story of quantity over quality. The tiny republic grew to be the wine producer for the entire empire, pumping out sub-par wines to ensure a bottle on every household table.

Fast forward a few decades to the years following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Moldova has regained independence and still exports most of its wine to Russia. Yet, when Moldova began showing interest in joining the European Union, Russia stopped imports. This created a crushing effect on the local economy.

Moldova began focusing on producing wines of high quality, aimed at the European market. They knew very well that the potential was there. In the years since, Moldovas wine has become a contender across Europe. Some even rivalling the wines of Spain, Italy and France.

Moldova Grape Varietals

Given its geography, Moldovas growing climate is much like wine regions of Canada, New Zealand, Tasmania and New York. The cooler climate reflects the grapes grown in such regions. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and other familiars are wide spread.

On top of that, a little over ten percent of production are local varietals, indigenous to Moldova and the surrounding regions. These include bright, fruity and floral whites like Feteasca Alba and Feteasca Regala . Reds, such as Feteasca Neagra , with fruity notes of plum and chocolate, and the softer Rara Neagra , often displaying flavours of vanilla and cherry are also quite common.

Onto the Good Stuff!

Because the wineries are quite spread out in Moldova, the easiest way to visit them is with a tour. During our visit, we were fortunate enough to be visiting with a wonderful friend who was there visiting family. She was kind enough to drive us around for a few days and show us some of her favourite spots.

When the time came for our friend to return home, there was still more to see. We reached out to Wine Tours Moldova , who were kind enough to show us a little of what they offer. I’ll get into that a little more later on, but first, here are three of our favourite wineries! And while we did visit several other wineries in Moldova, this post is focusing on some highlights.

Chateau Vartely

First up was Chateau Vartely, in the town of Orhei, about an hour north of Chisinau. For those of you familiar with wine tours or wineries in general, this place will feel the most familiar. The facilities are modern and their restaurant and tasting room have a more traditional vibe.

If you’re looking for the full experience, there are also four rentable vacation homes on site. Each one representing the different wine regions of Moldova. The chalets are set in the beautiful surroundings and make a perfect spot to rest after a day of indulging.

The facility tour is quite standard, so it may not surprise anyone who is already familiar with the winemaking process. But the wines themselves were some of the best we tasted in the whole country.

As a bonus, after our tasting, they sent us home with the bottles! We aren’t sure if this is standard practice or because we went later in the evening, but we more than got our moneys worth!

Stop number two is the cavernous Cricova , famous for their sparkling wine. Now, I’m going to be completely honest here, we were all feeling a little rough for this tour. Thanks in part to our decision to enjoy our tasting leftovers the previous night. That said, there are few things better for a hangover, than a cold glass of bubbly.

As mentioned above, though Cricova produces many different styles of wine, what stood out for us were their sparkling. Many of these are even produced using the méthode champenoise ; meaning everything about them is, in essence, “Champagne.” The only difference is that they cannot be labelled as such unless produced in said region.

On top of their outstanding wine selection, Cricova is also home to the second largest wine cellar in the world. This subterranean city houses tasting rooms, production facilities and a modern wine ‘laboratory.’

Milestii Mici

This is the big one. I mean, massive. Miliestii Mici is the winery most visitors to Moldova choose to experience. And I mean experience in every sense of the word.

The thing about Moldova is, they not only have the second largest wine cellar in the world – but the largest as well. Though Cricova boasts 120 kilometres of tunnels, Milestii Mici almost doubles that at a little over 200! They’re also recognized by the Guinness Book for the worlds largest wine collection!

We arrived on site and drove down into the dark, barrel-lined tunnels. The roadways are laid out in a grid and even have their own street names. At one point we accessed the legendary Golden Collection . Here you’ll find close to two million bottles tucked in the caves collecting decades of “noble dust.” If you’re serious enough, you can even rent a private storage enclave to store your personal collection.

The tour finished with a fantastic tasting in the tasting room found through a secret entrance in a wine barrel. We enjoyed a wonderful sampling followed by a lunch of traditional Moldovan cuisine and even some live folk music!

Wine Tours Moldova

Though we were unable to visit Miliesti Mici with our friend, she made it clear we could not miss it. This is where Wine Tours Moldova comes in.

Kylee contacted them and they, along with Milestii Mici, were able to put together a private tour for us. This included not only the tour, tasting and lunch, but also a driver who picked us up from our AirBNB!

Getting around Moldova for wine tasting on your own can be challenging at times. Though we were fortunate enough to have a local for some of our visit, it’s rarely the case for others. Wine Tours Moldova is perfectly set up to get you around to all the top wineries in the country. They’ll set up everything for you, from pickup, to tour and drop-off. They can even organize tours to the Kvint distillery in nearby Transnistria, a country that doesn’t technically exist!

When we find ourselves in Moldova in the future, we’ll definitely be getting in contact with these guys again. There are so many wineries still to visit, and many more will be popping up soon.

Get Planning!

So next time you’re considering an interesting destination for wine touring, be sure Moldova is on that list. Impress your friends with a newfound knowledge of this emerging wine destination. Not only are they producing some top-quality wines, they’re also quite inexpensive.

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About the Author

Mark Stewart

Mark is a multi-passionate creative with a fascination for getting the most out of the human experience. While he isn't chasing adventures around the globe as a travel journalist and photographer, he works as a freelance writer, private chef and web developer.

Very nice topic for discover a nice country like Moldova

Yes, Moldova is amazing and they have such great wines!

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Deals of the Week   European Long Weekends   Up to 50% OFF

3 days: The best of Moldova discover Transnistria & taste Moldova wine including cellar

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• Introduction
• Day 1 Arriving in Chisinau. Warm greeting in Chisinau Airport. 
• Day 2 Privat tour to Old Orhei Monasteries and Cricova Winery cellar Moldova
• Day 3 Excursion to Transnistria Back to USSR and visit Bender Tighina Fortress

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• Tuesday 16 Apr, 2024 Thursday 18 Apr, 2024 English , Italian, Russian +2 more Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €616 Confirm Dates
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• Currency L Moldovan Leu Moldova

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Typhoid - Recommended for Moldova. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Moldova. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Tuberculosis - Recommended for Moldova. Ideally 3 months before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Moldova. Ideally 2 months before travel.
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Discover Wine , Wine

How to plan a moldova wine tour.

In this edition, we explore the main wine regions of the country of Moldova, which was once the largest producer of wine within the Soviet Union. They still make a lot of wine, with nearly 112,000 hectares of vines used for commercial wine production. Would you believe that over 67 million bottles of wine are exported from Moldova each year, and that number continues to grow?

It wasn’t without a fight that Moldova began establishing themselves as a competitor in the world wine market, however. The country exported most of its wine to Russia until it was banned as a result of a 2006 conflict.

This Discover Wine series focuses on wine regions of the world you may not have heard about.

While some Moldovan wine still found its way into the Russian market, in 2013 another, stricter ban cut off all wine export to Russia and left Moldova searching for new markets for its wine.

A fresh perspective was given to producing high-quality wines that could compete with the best in the world, thus earning Moldova new markets like Japan, China and Germany, as well as Ukraine , Czech Republic, and Poland, just to name a few.

Now, everyone has a chance to visit the vast underground cellars of Moldova and learn about its fascinating history, while sampling some of the high-quality wines of Moldova. For wine lovers, it’s a very interesting place to visit. You’ll learn a lot about the history of Moldova and its wine, try varietals you’ve never had before, and even have a chance to speak to some of the winemakers.

PRO TIP: You can book a Moldova wine tour on Viator . Check out this list of options to create your perfect tour.

Table of Contents

Discover the Wine of Moldova

There are four wine regions in Moldova. They are Codru in the center of the country, Stefan Voda in the south east, Valul lui Traian in the south west, and Balti in the north. You can visit Moldova’s wineries quite easily. Plan your own Moldova wine tour with a driver, or set up a guided tour with Wine Tours Moldova .

There are no large mountains in Moldova, only low rolling hills, but the temperature and climate differences between the regions help to differentiate the terroir of the grapes.

As for varietals, there are a few local grapes – the most well-known are Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala, Feteasca Neagra, Rara Neagra, Plavai, and Viorica. These grapes are often blended with other European varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Codru Region

The Codru region is the largest and accounts for just under 50% of the hectares. This is where you find many of the country’s major wine makers, like Milestii Mici, Chateau Vartely , Cricova and Castel Mimi .

They specialize in white wines that grow well in this region, as well as reds that are mostly produced as blends of the national wine varietals with European varietals.

The wineries in this region are the easiest for visitors to access, due to their close proximity to the major city of Chisinau. Many of them also boast impressive and extensive tunnels underneath the winery that were made many years ago from the extraction of limestone for building the city.

Stefan Voda Region

Stefan Voda can be found just to the southeast of the Codru region. It is smaller, with just about 15,000 hectares. Due to its closer proximity to the sea, the grapes from this region experience cooler conditions, making it ideal for the growing of white varietals, as well as European favorites like Pinot Noir. Two wineries you can visit in this area are Purcari and Et Cetera .

These two wineries are very different, so visiting them both is a good way to see the juxtaposition of wineries in Moldova. There are large producers (both state and privately owned) like Purcari (maker of the famed Negru de Purcari) that have been making wine for generations; there are also small producers like Et Cetera, who built their family wine business after the requirements for wineries were relaxed to allow for smaller producers.

Valul lui Traian Region

It’s a bit of a drive from Chisinau to the Valul lui Traian wine region, but it’s well worth the drive to see the low rolling plains and plateaus that are covered in vines. The region is flanked by two ancient walls, called Trajan’s Wall, that was once used as a form of defense.

The walls are a part of the legend of the area. They specialize in the production of red wines in Valul lui Trajan, but also produce a few liquors.

One small wine producer you can visit in this area is KaraGani – a very new winery that is eagerly growing its brand and expanding its vision to include welcoming visitors for lunch or dinner, or even a traditional cooking class.

Balti Region

The northern-most wine-producing region of Moldova is Balti. The area doesn’t have a significant number of vineyards. It mostly produces table wines, a variety of liquor similar to cognac, and other alcohol-fortified wines. There aren’t any wineries that have wine tourism in this region.

How to Get to Moldova’s Wine Regions

The most convenient way to reach Moldova is by flying into the capital city of Chișinău (pronounced Kee-Shee-Now). The city is actually located in almost the very center of the grape growing regions, making it a very convenient place to base yourself while visiting the surrounding wineries.

You can rent a car at the airport, but I wouldn’t recommend driving yourself around if you’re planning to do any wine drinking at all. There is a zero tolerance policy for drinking and driving in Moldova; it’s not worth it, especially when you can have a private driver for a very reasonable rate.

This is what we did while we were touring the wine regions around  Moldova. Our guide picked us up at our hotel, took us around to our arranged tours, helped us with translation at the wineries when needed, and dropped us off safely at the end of the day.

Many of the wineries are located within 20-minutes drive of Chisinau, but some are 2 or even 3 hours away. I highly recommend going to some of the farther out wineries, but you’ll need to plan accordingly. You can often fit 2 wineries per day into your schedule, if you bunch them together properly. More on that later.

Where to Go Wine Tasting in Moldova

As discussed earlier, there are four wine regions in Moldova. You can visit wineries in each of these regions, and some of them are close enough together that you can visit two in one day, if desired.

You will quickly learn that there are massive, commercial wineries that are owned by the state, slightly smaller commercial wineries that are privately owned, and then a handful of small individually owned producers, many of whom started their wine business by making wine at home for personal use. It is possible to visit a variety of these wineries to get insight into how each functions.

The absolute best way to go about setting up a winery itinerary for your trip is to contact Wine Tours Moldova . They offer pre-set day trips to wineries that include transportation, wine tours, wine tastings, lunch and some guided tours of cultural sights.

If you want to put together a more winery-centric itinerary, where you can visit more than one winery in a day, they also offer a service to book your preferred wineries on their website. In order to include transportation to these bookings, you just have to let them know.

★ Wineries to Visit in Stefan Voda

Et Cetera – a family-owned winery run by two brothers, Alexandru and Igor, who have a passion for winemaking and an expansive vision for the future of their wine estate. The experience at Et Cetera is much more personalized and welcoming than the larger wineries, and can include a tour, tasting and even lunch, if desired.

Purcari – This is one of first wineries established in Moldova and is interesting to visit for a historical perspective on the area’s wine. Purcari received its first gold medal in 1878 for its Negru de Purcari, which they still make today. You can book a tour of the cellars and production areas, try a few of the wines, as well as enjoy lunch in the restaurant.

★ Wineries to Visit in Valul lui Traian

KaraGani –  An interesting place to visit, both for the chance to taste the delicious wines and to learn a little about the history and traditions of the Gagauz people who live in this area. The winery is just starting out, but is already producing some great wines, both white and red, including the sweeter Pastoral red style.

Where to Eat Lunch in Moldova’s Wine Regions

I always look forward to lunch during wine tasting trips. Not only does it give you a chance to refuel after tasting some great wines, it gives you a chance to try local specialties and maybe even eat among locals.

If you’re booking your wine tasting trip through Wine Tours Moldova, they are happy to make suggestions and book for you great places to eat during your itinerary.

Most, if not all, of the wineries listed above can provide lunch to guests who book in advance. They don’t necessarily all have restaurants, but they have dining facilities and can accommodate lunch or dinner guests with a reservation.

Purcari Winery has a large restaurant that can accommodate large groups. They offer an a la carte menu for lunch that includes European foods as well as Moldovan cuisine. You can take a tour of the winery and stay for lunch to try a few more of their wines.

Chateau Vartely is another great place to stop for lunch. They have a large, new tourist complex that includes dining facilities. They also have an outdoor patio area where you can eat lunch, under the canopy of vines. You do need to make a reservation for lunch or dinner in advance.

If you travel to the tourist area of Orheiul Vechi, then you absolutely must stop for a traditional lunch served in one of the rural guesthouses in the area, like Vila Roz .

The owner cooks a really nice meal of local dishes, including placinte. You can also stay overnight at Vila Roz. They have 6 guestrooms and a lovely outdoor space where you can even pitch a tent , if you’re so inclined.

From there, you can rent a bikes and visit the historical and cultural sites of the “open air museum”, containing the Curchi Monestary and hillside caves. And you can go for a winery visit to Brăneşti’s massive underground city. You can make a whole day of it!

If you like to travel for wine, and to learn about and taste wines in regions that are new to you, Moldova is the perfect place to do so. You’ll love the scenery, the landscape, the people, and you’ll learn a lot about the wine of Moldova.

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Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.

33 thoughts on “ How to Plan a Moldova Wine Tour ”

Such a great comprehensive post on Molodovan wines! Some of those tasting rooms look absolutely to die for. I’m salivating for some vino now…

Thanks Amy. I hope too encourage people to visit and see for themselves how awesome these wine cellars are.

Wow, i think i should take my mum here one day, she would LOVE all the wine tasting!

You should definitely take her! If she loves wine, she’ll definitely love it in Moldova.

I was so happy to hear about your trip from Drew, but this really fills out his description (‘it was great!’). Not surprising to anyone, I had no clue that Moldova was producing wine and it’s great that there are so many industrious folks working to increase the profile of this oft-forgotton country! Hope to see you soon, BTW!

It definitely was great, he got that part right! Not having known much about Moldova or its wine before we went there, it was one of the best trips. It’s not often that you get to learn so much and become immerse in a place you don’t know much about. Good luck with your move and we’ll definitely see you soon!

I’d never really thought of Moldova as a wine producer, and reading your introduction to its history, I can now see that’s because it was mostly selling to the Russian market until pretty recently. It’s interesting to read how the necessity to find new markets drove a change in quality and style to be able to compete on that international market. I’d love to visit and explore more thanks to your post!

That’s exactly it, Kavey. Moldovan wine never really made it past Eastern Europe, but now it is and you can find it in many more places. I’m glad to inspire more eyes on Moldova and its wine.

I don’t know the first thing about this place so hearing they have wine was super cool! That wine tasting facility looks so fancy and new!

That’s one of the reasons I’m so happy to write about it and share it. It’s really a fascinating place that deserves more of a spotlight.

Moldova indeed promises a heady experience. The wine tours are bound to be a spirited affair and also provide a great opportunity of communing with nature in the vineyards.

You are very passionate about wine. I like that you talked about the history of Moldova. The wine industry is very competitive. I would like to join a wine tasting and tour in this place someday. Do they serve some cheese and crackers during wine tasting?

Yes, you can add cheese, meat and crackers to your tasting, sometimes they even have food pairings to go with each glass. It varies by winery.

Moldova sounds like a wine lovers paradise! It’s great to know about this region and I would love to visit there someday. I’ll have to share your article with my dad too. His passion is wine and he and my mom take wine tasting trips in different places around the world every year!

Oh Jen, your parents would LOVE it there. Have them get in touch with Veronica at Wine Tours Moldova. She’ll set up the perfect wine trip for them!

I don’t really drink much but this is cool to learn about. A friend of mine is from Moldova. Something in inquire about with him.

Holly, it was a fantastic trip even without the wine. The history and culture is well worth learning about!

I am happy to know that Moldovan wine is making its way to more places outside Eastern Europe. Some places are so underrated and need some spotlight so people can be aware of their beauty.

Although I have yet to make it to Moldova, as something of a wine drinker (as opposed to aficionado) I have been aware that the industry in the country has been developing for sometime. Certainly, this looks to be a great aspect of the country to explore and while the traditional Moldovan cuisine might not look like the perfect accompaniment to a nice bottle of red, I’m sure it went down very well. Hope to take in this beautiful part of the world sometime

Oh, Gareth, I thought the food there was a great accompaniment to the wine. It’s very hearty and meat-focused food.

I never thought of Moldova as a wine maker or vineyards there as a travel destination. The countryside looks lovely though, and I’m a big fan of wine (not sure I know enough to say “good wine”). So these suggestions will make it on our list when we get to Moldova, hopefully one day soon.

It’s really a fun place to travel, just to learn about the culture and history. The wine is an added bonus!

Didn’t know that wine industry is developed as such in Moldova! Certainly one travel idea to have in mind, thanks. 🙂 Love that underground cellar “secret bar”, it really looks charming!

That “secret bar” is actually in a soon-to-open underground hotel. It’s a really incredible project and somewhere to look at staying in the future, for sure.

Moldova has a great collection of wineries. Given a chance, I would love visiting all of these spread in different parts just to understand and experience the various ways of making and the types of wines. Cricova looks too interesting, imagining wine making in cellars!

You’d definitely enjoy it, Reshma, especially if you haven’t already learned much about wine making. It’s fascinating.

I had no idea that Moldova made so much wine. I am not a drinker but the food looks amazing. I would love to try some of that delciious, traditional lunch. I am getting hungry just thinking about it.

You would love Vila Roz, then, Kelly. Check it out if you make it to Moldova.

Lots of respect for Moldova wines…especially how they came up after the Russia ban. It’s great you can now visit the vineyard and the winery and see it all so closely…I feel like trying out their wine here in India now. Or will maybe wait till next month to try it in Europe somewhere…

You might find some in India. It’s definitely worth looking out for.

Gagauzian wines tend to be sweet even when labeled as dry wines. How did you find the wine at Kara Gani? Did they have traditional dry European varietals? On a different note, I think it important to mention the two state-owned wineries you mentioned, Milesti Mici and Cricova, are high on touristic value, but lacking in wine quality, with the exception of the Cricova dry sparkling wines – particularly the Prestige. When in Chisinau, the best wines are experiences in the wine bars from wineries without tasting rooms of their own.

Moldova hasn’t even crossed my radar before this post, but now I realize how much it has to offer in terms of a wine scene! I love that there are easy packages to book through Wine Tours Moldova, without needing to rent a car and doing it all (perhaps dangerously) yourself. Thanks for the tips!

I’m so glad I could put it on your radar now, Lillie. I think this is the case for many people, so I’m happy to get the word out.

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Cricova Winery Moldova, the World’s Best Wine Cellar

Before I visited the Republic of Moldova, I had heard rumours that it was possible to visit a winery in the city of Cricova (named Cricova Winery – who would have thought it?) that is home to Vladimir Putin’s personal wine collection. I had also heard that Moldova wine is known to be some of the best in the world, with wine making in Moldova harking back to ancient times. Those two little pieces of information meant that before I even stepped foot into Moldova, a visit to Cricova Winery was on my bucket list – I mean, it’s not every day you get to peruse Putin’s wine collection, is it?

My decision to visit Cricova Winery was cemented when I arrived in Chisinau and realised that it’s actually only 15km from Chisinau to Cricova, making it really bloody easy to get there. So, with that said, let’s dive into the history and culture of Moldova wine and discover whether Cricova Winery lives up to the hype.

Table of Contents

Cricova Winery Moldova – The World’s Most Majestic Wine Cellar?

Cricova winery and moldova wine – some fun facts.

Moldova is the poorest country in Europe , but wine is the number one economic product of Moldova, with Moldova being the second largest wine exporter in the world , mainly due to Cricova Winery. Over 400 million litres of wine are produced in Moldova annually and 67 million bottles are exported – that’s 1 million more bottles of wine than there are people living in the UK! Kazakhstan is the largest importer of Cricova Winery’s wine. Cricova Winery is the second largest wine cellar in the world , with 120km of underground wine storage! The tunnels at Cricova Winery were dug back in the 15th century, when limestone was carved to build Chisinau.

Cricova Winery is famous for its sparkling wines, and they are produced using the same method that is used in France for Champagne. Vladimir Putin spent his 50th birthday at Cricova! It is said that during Nazi occupation of the Soviet Union, Cricova Winery hid Jewish people in wine barrels . In 1966, Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin visited Cricova Winery and didn’t leave until two days later, when he had to be assisted out due to the huge amount of Moldova wine he’d consumed! More shockingly, the wine collection of Hermann Göring, one of Hitler’s henchmen, is stored in Cricova Winery as well. After the Red Guard took Berlin, his collection of more than 2,000 bottles was brought here to continue aging.

An Underground Tour of Cricova Winery

On arrival at Cricova Winery, we met our fellow Moldova wine tasting buddies and our guide, Maria. We commended our tour by taking our seats on a kind of golf buggy and being driven underground, deep into the labyrinthine twists and turns of this ‘underground city,’ where the streets are named after various wines such as Cabernet and Merlot. As we descended deeper into this enchanting maze – the cellars are 80 metres deep at some points – it got colder and eerier – I certainly wouldn’t like to be lost down there alone! The temperature is actually very carefully controlled – to create the ideal environment for wine storage, the temperature in the tunnels is kept at a constant 12 degrees Celsius with a humidity of 90 percent.

After a short while we stopped so that Maria could show us some of the barrels used to store the wine, from the smaller sizes to the gigantic barrels that are used to store tonnes of the stuff! We were then taken to a swanky underground cinema (yes, Cricova Winery actually has its very own private cinema) where Maria poured us each a glass of sparkling wine and invited us to sit down and watch a film all about the history of Cricova and its wine making tradition.

The film not only discussed the history of Cricova, but also Moldova’s long history of wine making, comparing wine to the finest kind of poetry. It was a short watch but super interesting, and a nice introduction to the tour. When the film finished, we all piled back onto the buggy and headed to the ‘maturing section.’ This is where 500,000 bottles of Moldova wine are stored for the maturation process.

In order for this process to happen effectively, the bottles have to be stored at different angles and turned by hand to ensure that the sediment separates from the wine properly. Each day, a team of 5 women rotates as many as 35,000 bottles by hand! Next was the sparkling wine production section, where we were able to see the machines used to make sparkling wine . Cricova is actually the first of the Moldova wineries that manufactures sparkling wine using the same method that Dom Perignon himself used to make Champagne!

Our next stop on our tour of Cricova Winery was the National Collection , or Oenotheque , which is comprised of almost 1.3 million bottles of wine, each with its own unique history – now, I don’t know about you, but to me that’s a hell of a lot of wine! Included in this collection is the ‘Easter Jerusalem’ wine, which is the only piece to have survived of 400 bottles that were bottled way back in 1902. This collection of Moldova wine is priceless, and it was a very odd feeling to be walking among so much valuable wine, without any barriers or anything actually stopping you from reaching out and touching them.

Another interesting thing about the National Collection is that the room is actually shaped like a wine glass! As we walked through the collection, we got to the part where the real juice was – the personal wine collections of many of the world’s leaders , including Angela Merkel, Joe Biden, Petro Poroshenko and many many more.

Tasting Moldova Wine!

After more than an hour of exploring the underground city of Cricova, it was finally time for the actual tasting! After letting us take a peek inside the five large tasting halls, all decorated in their own unique ways with tapestries, stained glass and wooden sculptures, we got comfortable in the tasting hall that we would be using – the ‘ Sea Bottom ‘ tasting hall. The Sea Bottom tasting hall takes its name from the depths of the Sarmatian Sea that existed here 12 million years ago. I’m not going to lie – it felt very random, but it was definitely my favourite of the five tasting halls as I’m all about a bit of eccentricity!

After we got comfortable, Maria led the tasting. We were taking part in the Business Tour which includes 3 types of sparkling Moldova wine and some nibbles (although we tasted 4 types of wine, and the website doesn’t state that there are any tours with 4 types of wine so I’m not really sure what happened there). Before we tasted each glass, Maria walked us through the process, showing us how to see the different colours in each wine, how to sniff out the subtle flavours, and of course, how to taste it (not that I needed any instruction on that! ).

As we drank our wine, we got to know one another and picked at the nibbles on the table (nuts and biscuits, nothing out of this world). Despite the fact that the tours run on a schedule, at no point did Maria rush us, even after it was clear we’d been sitting there for longer than we should have! Finally, after we’d finished the last of the wine, we exited through the gift shop. Now usually, as I’m travelling on a budget, I wouldn’t really stop to look at the wines on offer as I would assume that they are all super expensive. However, most of the wines in the gift shop at Cricova Winery were around the 5 EUR mark , and so it was impossible to resist bringing one back to the hostel!

Types of Wine Tours at Cricova Winery

As previously mentioned, I took part in the Business Tour, which is the cheapest option, and definitely the best for backpackers like me! It includes the full tour, 3 types of wine in the tasting (plus one glass in the cinema) and some snacks. The cost of this tour is 23 EUR. Other tours include the Sparkling Tour, which includes 5 types of wine and a cheese plate and is 31 EUR, and the Early Morning Tour, which, as the name suggests, runs early in the morning and does not include a tasting. This tour is priced at 10 EUR. To see the other tours that Cricova Winery offers and the price list, please visit their website here .

Cricova Winery – Getting There & Buying Tickets

You can purchase tickets for wine tours at Cricova Winery through tour agencies, but it is much cheaper to phone them yourself and book direct. Staff at Cricova Winery speak English so it’s very easy. Their phone numbers are (373) 690 777 34 and (373) 79202999 and their email address is [email protected] . To get to Cricova Winery from Chisinau, we took a taxi (be sure to use an app like iTaxi or yandex for the best rates). The drive took 30 minutes and cost about 6 EUR – bargain! It’s also possible to take a public bus from the centre of Chisinau to Cricova and then walk to the winery, but it is so cheap to take a taxi that this is what I would recommend.

Cricova Winery – Final Thoughts

Wine tasting at Cricova was very different to my other experiences with wine tasting. While my other experiences felt very relaxed, wine tasting at Cricova felt a lot more official, and even corporate (seeing that Cricova Winery is such a huge business, it was bound to feel that way!). Visiting Cricova Winery was fascinating, and I’d never before seen anything like the underground city that I got to explore with Maria on my tour – it was especially fascinating to learn about how Cricova produces such vast quantities of wine (the fact that 5 women turn so many bottles by hand still amazes me!).

Not only that, but seeing the personal wine collections of some of the most powerful people in the world was a once in a lifetime opportunity and definitely one of the most surreal moments of my travels. I also enjoyed the technical aspect of the tasting, as my other wine tastings have been so informal that I didn’t really learn about how to taste wine like a pro, and so if you’re looking to truly learn about wine, Cricova will not let you down. My only criticism of the tasting was that perhaps because it did feel so formal, I didn’t bond with the other participants as much as I have done on other, more relaxed tastings.

Perhaps this was due to the fact that Maria had only been working at Cricova for a couple of weeks when I attended the tour (so it’s very possible that she was a little nervous), or perhaps Cricova just prefer a more formal atmosphere at their tastings. Either way, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the experience and I would definitely recommend a visit to Cricova Winery if you find yourself in Moldova or one of the surrounding countries! You may also enjoy my post about whether Chisinau is worth visiting . That’s it for today, but as always, if you have any questions, let me know in the comments section below! Until next time, XOXO

If you liked this article and would like to support my work, please click the button above to donate a couple of bucks and buy me a coffee. The ad revenue that I receive on this website is minimal, so support from my readers enables me to keep creating content that you (hopefully!) love to read.

9 thoughts on “Cricova Winery Moldova, the World’s Best Wine Cellar”

This is in my list! For sure one of the things I’m looking forward the most on a visit to Moldova. I actually thought Cricova was the largest wine cellar in the world. I wander which one is the first then… Looks like you had a blast, even with the corporate vibe. I can’t wait to go myself, especially reading that braking the rules and touching Putin wine is possible 😉

Woah, Cricova sounds so cool! It feels like the randomest place to be the home to the wine collections of so many world leaders :O

This place looks incredible!

Great keep me posted on your progress on cricket winery

I think autocorrect got you there with ‘cricket’ haha. Yes I’d love to visit again 🙂

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Wine Of Moldova

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It is the people that make wine tourism in Moldova special. A tourist to the Republic of Moldova will come across genuine, warm, and friendly people and wherever such meetings occur they also offer a visitor the opportunity to enjoy the traditional food of Moldova. Wine tourism experiences in Moldova include the famous underground wine cellars of “Cricova” and “Milestii Mici”, the latter being included in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest wine collection in the world. Tourists to Moldova can expect to uncover an incredible array of amazing wineries who’s welcome will include wine tasting tours, delicious local Moldovan food and wonderful stories counting the history of the estates.

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THE 10 BEST Moldova Wine Tasting Tours

Wine tasting tours in moldova.

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1. Best of Moldova: Cricova Winery & Old Orhei Tour including Curchi Monastery

2. Highlights of Moldova - Curchi and Old Orhei + Cricova (Optional)

3. 4 Hours Cricova Winery Tour with Tasting

4. Milestii Mici is the largest cellars of wine in the World! tour

5. One day tour in Transnistria

6. 2 Excursions in One Day - Cricova Winery,Tiraspol City and Bender Fortress!

7. Biking a Guinness Book Winery

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9. Milestii Mici Underground Winery Tour from Chisinau

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12. Transdniestria Tour & Milestii Mici Winery

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14. Milestii Mici Winery tour with wine tasting

15. Private Bike Tour to Milestii Mici Winery with wine tasting and lunch

16. 2 Excursions in One Day-Milestii Mici Winery, Tiraspol City and Bender Fortress

17. Cricova Winery & Old Orhei & Curchi Monastery

18. Soviet Heritage of Transnistria and Castle Mimi Winery

19. Cricova Winery & SPA Visit

20. Cricova Winery with Tasting

21. MIMI Castle with wine Tasting

22. Private Bike Tour to Cricova Winery with wine tasting and lunch

23. Chisinau Car City Tour and Milestii Mici Winery

24. Two days trip to the Republic of Moldova from Iasi

25. 2 days: An interesting tour Old Orhei&Cricova &Transnistria

26. Chisinau City Tour - Cricova Winery

27. The Castle Mimi Wine Private Tour with Tasting

28. GROUP- Milestii Mici Winery, Transnistria and Bender Fortress

29. GROUP - Cricova Winery, Old Orhei and Curchi Monastery

30. Visit the Largest Winery in the World and Manuc Bei Mansion

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This Massive Underground City is Filled With Wine

Take a drive through the largest wine cellar in the entire world.

Hiding beneath the surface of a secluded section of Europe, a massive underground city exists with miles of tunnels filled with wine. Every “street” carries the name of a certain grape like Pinot or Cabernet Sauvignon. Visitors slowly drive cars or bikes through the maze, where normal traffic rules apply. Moldova’s Mileștii Mici proudly claims the title as the largest wine cellar in the world.

Moldova , sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine , holds a rich tradition in winemaking dating back thousands of years. Low hills, sun-drenched plains, flowing rivers, and moderate climate shaped by the Black Sea basin provide model conditions to grow grapes, rivaling other renowned vineyard regions across the continent. Once part of the Soviet Union, the country produced the most wine of all republics—every second bottle of wine consumed in the U.S.S.R. hailed from Moldova.

Mileștii Mici holds almost two million bottles, earning recognition from the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest wine collection.

“Although Moldovan wine is still looking for new markets worldwide and many people do not know about it, those who try it truly appreciate its real value,” says Viorel Bezede, Administrator at state-run Mileștii Mici.

So when an old limestone mine retired in the late 1960s, transforming its caverns into Mileștii Mici’s wine cellar made perfect sense. Temperatures in the subterranean space, which stretches about 150 miles, stays consistently in the mid-50s Fahrenheit, plus constant humidity creates ideal conditions for aging to perfection. Roughly half the space holds almost two million bottles, earning recognition from the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest wine collection in the world by number of bottles.

Visitors need their own vehicle for an hour tour with an expert guide, which weaves past a natural underwater cascade, the most prized vintages, and into a tasting room some 200 feet underground. Mileștii Mici may boast the biggest stock, but nearby Cricova winery also contains an extensive network of underground tunnels that stretch for about 75 miles. Plenty of tour options start from capital Chişinău, or true aficionados can time their trip for the celebrations surrounding National Wine Day in October. Anytime of the year, Moldova’s pride for its national drink runs deep.

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