How to Plan a Moldova Wine Tour

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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.

wine cellar milesti mici

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.

The welcome fountains at Milestii Mici Winery
The welcome fountains at Milestii Mici Winery (Photo by Savored Journeys)

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

Milestii Mici's wine cellar
Milestii Mici’s wine cellar (photo by Savored Journeys)

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

Purcari Winery
Purcari Winery (Photo by Savored Journeys)

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

Great hospitality at KaraGani Winery
Great hospitality at KaraGani Winery (photo by Savored Journeys)

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.

The vineyards of Moldova are set on low lying planes and valleys
The vineyards of Moldova are set on low lying planes and valleys. This is one of KaraGani’s vineyards in Valul lui Trajan.

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.

The wine tasting rooms at Chateau Vartely are a wine-lover's dream.
The wine tasting rooms at Chateau Vartely are a wine-lover’s dream.

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.

Brănești Cellar
Brănești Cellars secret bar, located far underground (Photo by Savored Journeys)

★ Wineries to Visit in Codru

Chateau Vartely – Beginning in 1996, Chateau Vartely has been building a tradition of producing top-quality wines using the latest innovative technologies. They opened an all-encompassing tourist complex in 2008. They welcome guest for tours, wine tastings, lunch or dinner in their on-site dining facilities. They even have a number of guest houses.

Cricova – Known for its massive underground “wine city” that includes for over 120 kilometers of subterranean roads, Cricova is one of the easiest cellars to visit because of its proximity to Chisinau, and its abundance of wine tours.

Castel Mimi – Located only 30 km from Chisinau, Castel Mimi is architecturally interesting as well as a good place to visit for a look into their wine production methods and to learn more about their vast history, begun in 1893. They have tours, tastings, a restaurant and guesthouses.

Milestii Mici – This is one of the first cellars in Moldova that people often hear about because it is registered in the Guinness Book of World records for having the largest wine collection in the world, with over 1.5 million bottles. You can see some of them on a tour through the extensive underground city.

Brănești Сellars – Another cellar with a huge underground city is Brănești. It comprises over 58 kilometers of roads that are up to 60 meters deep, and is located in the touristic complex of Orheiul Vechi. Plans are in the works for a vast underground hotel built into the hillside,

Et Cetera's tasting bar
Et Cetera’s tasting bar (Photo by Savored Journeys)

★ 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.

Traditional lunch served at KaraGani winery
Traditional lunch served at KaraGani winery (Photo by Savored Journeys)

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.

Zeama, chicken soup, served with sour cream
Zeama, chicken soup, served with sour cream (Photo by Savored Journeys)

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.

Traditional lunch at Vila Roz
Traditional lunch at Vila Roz (Photo by Savored Journeys)

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!

Conclusion

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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Discover the wine of Moldova by taking a wine tour to the countries best wineries
Discover the wine of Moldova by taking a wine tour to the countries best wineries
How to Plan a Moldova Wine Tour

33 thoughts on “How to Plan a Moldova Wine Tour

  1. Amy (Two Drifters) says:

    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…

    • Laura Lynch says:

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

  2. Julie says:

    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!

    • Laura Lynch says:

      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!

  3. Kavey says:

    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!

    • Laura Lynch says:

      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.

  4. Victoria says:

    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!

    • Laura Lynch says:

      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.

  5. Sandy N Vyjay says:

    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.

  6. Iza Abao says:

    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?

    • Laura Lynch says:

      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.

  7. Jen Joslin says:

    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!

    • Laura Lynch says:

      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!

  8. Holly says:

    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.

    • Laura Lynch says:

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

  9. Trisha Velarmino says:

    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.

  10. Gareth says:

    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

    • Laura Lynch says:

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

  11. Sarah says:

    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.

    • Laura Lynch says:

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

  12. Danijela WorldGlimpses says:

    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!

    • Laura Lynch says:

      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.

  13. Reshma says:

    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!

    • Laura Lynch says:

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

  14. Kelly says:

    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.

  15. Siddhartha Joshi says:

    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…

  16. Platypusrex says:

    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.

  17. Lillie says:

    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!

    • Laura Lynch says:

      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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