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Wineries of Moldova: The best of the Best!

A must when visiting by tourists of Moldova is a walk in the middle of the vineyards, visits to wine cellars and tasting of Moldovan wines!
On the territory of Moldova there are over 50 wineries and tasting rooms, a large number, isn’t it?
Among the variety of wineries we want to mention the best and most popular of them!!!

CHATEAU VARTELY

Location: St. Eliberarii, 170/B, t. Orhei
From Chisinau: 45 km
Website: https://www.vartely.md/

Chateau Vartely is a winery located in the Orhei area, near the capital. This modern estate, in addition to production facilities, include cottages for lovers of wine tourism, two tasting rooms, a restaurant, wine store, cellar for wine storage and even a sauna.
Chateau Vartely winery full cycle, modeled on a French Chateau. The Chateau is authentic and grow European varieties of grapes, which determine the range: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Traminer, Sauvignon, Feteasca, Regala, Feteasca neagră, etc.
The actual tour through the Chateau visit of the entire complex, its industrial and entertainment areas. .
What wine to try: Taraboste Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

MILEŞTII MICI

Location: Ialoveni
From Chisinau: 22 km
Website: http://www.milestii-mici.md

The oldest place of storage of the “Holy drink” in Moldova was founded in 1969. The streets of the underground wine city covers an area of 55 km.
In “underworld” is the so-called “Golden collection”, which includes 2 million bottles of wine from the harvest of 1986-1991 years and is in the Guinness book of records. The most valuable part of the collection of wine harvests of the years 1973-74 (the cost of the individual samples of up to 480 euros per bottle). These wines are exported only to Japan.
The labyrinthine cellars of the vault to race to the car — this is a special transport.
What wine to try: Cabernet Sauvignon

CRICOVA

Location: Cricova
From Chisinau: 12 km
Website: http://cricova.md/

Founded in 1952, the “Cricova” winery is the largest producer of sparkling wine using the traditional technologies of Moldovan, which fully maturing in the underground cellars.
Collection of wines Cricova more than a million bottles — not only Moldavian, but also a unique Spanish, Italian, French wines. The oldest sample of wine dates back to 1902.
The total length of underground galleries in Cricova is more than 60 km in the limestone rocks with a constant temperature about +12°C all year round .
Here are available several tour packages which, in addition to visiting underground storage, include a wine tasting, a snack menu, and specialty gifts.
What wine to try: Cricova Brut Crisecco

CASTEL MIMI

Location: the village of Bulboaca, Anenii Noi
From Chisinau: 30 km
Website: https://www.castelmimi.md/

Castel Mimi – the first real Chateau in the region, built in 1900, the last Governor of Bessarabia, Constantin Mimi, in honor of which got its name.
After almost 100 years, the castle “Mimi” became the property of one family, which in 2010 has started the reconstruction of the winery, and after the castle, so much so that as accurately as possible to preserve the authenticity and originality of the building.
Currently Castel Mimi is a multifunctional complex that has a hotel, Museum, meeting room, workshops and meeting facilities. In two tasting rooms and 6 rooms in the basement in the perfect atmosphere to taste the wines of Castel Mimi and unique dishes from the restaurant on site.
What wine to try: Castel Mimi Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

PURCARI

Location: village Purcari, Stefan Voda
From Chisinau: 120 km
Website: https://purcari.md/

Purcari cellars are the oldest wine galleries in Moldova – the winery was founded in 1827 on the former lands of Afono-Zapravskogo monastery.
Today in the galleries of the estate collected and stored the best collection of local wines, where there are specimens Dating back to 1948. Several sightseeing programs include a visit to the industrial parts of the plant (shops, bottling line), historical part (cellar), visit to wine collection and tasting and souvenir
What wine to try: Authentic Negru de Purcari

ASCONI

Location: Stefan cel Mare, 1, Puhoi village, Ialoveni district
From Chisinau 35 km
Website: http://asconi.md/

The company was founded in 1994, and during that time she managed to be on a par with the very famous wineries of Moldova.
The company has 600 hectares of vineyards, located 8 km from the winery.
Here they grow Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Niagra Rara Neagra, Chardonnay, Muscat Ottonel and Feteasca, Regale. The grapes are harvested exclusively by hand. For white wines harvested in the night, waiting for the lowering of the temperature required for its Assembly (18°C).
Asconi Winery is also a developed tourist complex with an authentic restaurant, carefully keeping Moldavian traditions. The territory of the tourist complex in exactly reproduces the decoration of a traditional Moldovan village.
What wine to try: Fetească Neagră

VINĂRIA POIANA

Location:Hulme village, Ialoveni district
From Chisinau: 33 km, the road Chisinau-Leuseni
Website: http://www.vinariapoiana.md/ro/main

Wine yard and vineyards Poiana Codrilor located in the woods on the left hand side of the highway E581, 33 km from Chisinau. Places of unusual beauty, a national Park Codru and mirror-like lakes, coupled with the hospitality of the locals make this area a special touch.
In these places you can also visit the monasteries Hulme, Condrita and Capriana, monuments, spiritual heritage and cultural values, to get acquainted with crafts of folk artists, and taste the dishes of traditional Moldovan cuisine, drinking fine wine all the ULMA, a wine yard Poiana.
What wine to try: Ulmu Merlot 2012

ET CETERA

Location: village Crocmaz, Stefan Voda
From Chisinau: 125 km
Website: http://etcetera.md/

Et Cetera – family and very young winery – it was commissioned only in 2009.
For guests Et cetera winemaker Alexander Lukyanov personally conducts a tour of the winery and production. The tour is tasting the “future” of wine under production, you will taste the raw wine or wine right before bottling, and the restaurant Et cetera order “Cuvee Blanc”, the very thing which the Japanese sommelier Michelin restaurant has chosen for his institution.
In the spring of 2017, there is a hotel on 8 rooms, all named after wines: Chardonnay, Cuvee Blanc, Affinite, Petrichor, Feteasca Neagra, Serendipity, Merlot and Cuvee Rouge is € 60 with Breakfast. However, if you have a tent you can spread out on the lawn for camping you will not take the money.
What wine to try: Merlot 2012

Source: locals.md