Moldova is one of the most underrated wine countries in Europe. In terms of vineyard area per capita, it ranks among the top three in the world. In the depth of its winemaking tradition, it competes with France and Georgia — the first wines here were made before the common era. Through the diversity of its landscapes and microclimates, it produces everything: from light whites and sparkling wines to rich tannic reds and collectible dessert wines.
Decanter magazine called Moldova “one of the most exciting new stories in world winemaking.” Winerist placed several Moldovan estates in the global top of the most beautiful wineries in the world. And National Geographic described the underground cellars here as a must-visit destination on the planet.
Getting here is simpler than reaching Burgundy or Tuscany: everything lies within 1.5–2 hours’ drive from Chișinău in a rental car. This guide is a comprehensive roadmap to the ten best wineries in Moldova, whether you prefer an independent trip or an organised tour.
Moldovan winemaking: what to know before you visit
Moldova is divided into three official wine regions, each with its own character:
Codru — the central region with a temperate climate and limestone hills. This is home to the most famous underground cellars — Mileștii Mici and Cricova. The region is renowned for white and sparkling wines, as well as soft reds with a delicate structure.
Ștefan Vodă — the south-eastern region along the banks of the Dniester River. Warm winds from the Black Sea (60 km away) and distinctive black-earth soils yield grapes with a dense body and a long, lingering finish. This is where Château Purcari is located — the oldest private winery in the country.
Valul lui Traian — the southernmost region with an almost Mediterranean climate: 2,500 hours of sunshine per year. Ideal for rich reds and sweet wines. The region is less developed for tourism, but is home to the family wineries Fautor and Gitana, already well known to international critics.
The main indigenous varieties worth seeking out on any wine list: Feteasca Neagră (dark, tannic, with notes of dried plum), Rară Neagră (a rare Moldovan variety with a spicy, slightly peppery profile) and Feteasca Regală (white, aromatic, with a floral and peach bouquet). Among international varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay perform exceptionally well here.
1. Mileștii Mici — the Guinness World Record and 200 km underground
Region: Codru, Ialoveni district (~20 km from Chișinău)
Speciality: collectible wines, all styles
Unique selling point: the world’s largest wine collection according to the Guinness Book of Records
Tour format: self-drive, bicycle or electric train
It is hard to choose a better starting point for any Moldovan wine tour. Mileștii Mici is not just a winery — it is an underground city: 200 km of tunnels carved from limestone, of which 55 km are used for wine storage. Nearly two million bottles. The temperature holds constantly at +12…+14°C with humidity of 85–95% — conditions impossible to replicate artificially.
The “Golden Collection” begins with harvests from 1969. The most prized bottles — from 1973–1974 — are exported exclusively to Japan. The streets of the underground city bear the names of grape varieties: you drive down “Cabernet Sauvignon” and turn onto “Pinot Noir.” This literally happens — you enter in your own car, following behind the guide.
The tour lasts approximately 50 minutes; tasting packages range from €18 to €48 per person depending on the selection. The restaurant complex with Moldovan cuisine operates above ground. Booking is essential.
What to taste: Vintage Desert — a collectible dessert wine, Rară Neagră, sparkling wine made by the classic method.
2. Cricova — the underground city with the legend of Gagarin
Region: Codru, suburb of Chișinău (~18 km)
Speciality: traditional-method sparkling wines, collectible reds
Unique selling point: 120 km of tunnels holding 1.3 million bottles; national cultural heritage
Visitors: approximately 50,000 international tourists per year
Cricova is the most theatrical of all Moldovan wineries. The tour begins with an electric train that races through underground galleries at a depth of 60 metres. This is not a metaphor — a literal train, tunnels, traffic lights and road signs underground. For visitors who are unsure whether a wine tour is for them, Cricova removes all doubt.
The tunnels were originally carved in the 15th century to extract the limestone used to build Chișinău, and were converted into a wine complex in 1952. Here you will find part of Hermann Göring’s collection, confiscated after the Second World War, and a rare Jewish religious wine from the early 20th century. The winery is also famous for the story of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who reportedly spent two full days in the underground galleries without any hurry to leave — a letter of thanks has been preserved to this day.
Cricova is one of the few producers in the world that makes sparkling wine using the traditional champagne method (méthode champenoise). The tour includes a demonstration of the remuage and dégorgement process. Tour prices start from €20 (without tasting) up to €40+ with a full tasting set.
What to taste: Cricova Brut and Vintage Brut, Cabernet Sauvignon from collectible harvest years, Chardonnay Reserve.
3. Château Purcari — the oldest private winery with a royal history
Region: Ștefan Vodă (~130 km from Chișinău)
Speciality: red blends, Negru de Purcari, Freedom Blend
Founded: 1827, by decree of Tsar Nicholas I
Highlights: hotel, restaurant, vineyard walks, accommodation in oak barrels
If Mileștii Mici is the record of scale, Purcari is the record of reputation. Founded in 1827 by decree of Russian Emperor Nicholas I, this winery was the first in Moldova to receive an international gold medal — in Paris in 1878. French experts at a private tasting at the World Exposition mistook Purcari’s flagship red for a new Bordeaux. Subsequently, its wines were served at the tables of Nicholas II, King George V and Queen Victoria.
Today it is the first and only “wine castle” in Moldova, built in 2003 in the style of a French château. It holds first place among Moldovan wine exporters — over 30 markets, from the USA to Japan. The most decorated producer in Central and Eastern Europe according to Decanter London.
The estate grounds offer everything needed for a complete stay: tours of the historic 1827 cellars, tastings with a choice of package, a restaurant with author cuisine, cycling through the vineyards, fishing on the lake, and a unique accommodation option — converted oak barrels with views over the vines.
What to taste: Negru de Purcari (Cabernet + Saperavi + Rară Neagră), Freedom Blend, Alb de Purcari, Rosé de Purcari.
4. Castel Mimi — among the top 15 most beautiful wineries in the world
Region: Codru, Bulboaca (~45 km from Chișinău)
Speciality: reserve white wines, red blends, spa
Status: the only Moldovan destination in the global top 15 most beautiful wineries
Format: five-star wine resort
Castel Mimi was built in 1893 by Constantin Mimi — the last governor of Bessarabia, who studied winemaking in France. In the Soviet era, the estate became the largest single wine factory in the entire USSR. In the 2000s, the Frolov family purchased and restored the historic castle, transforming it into what is now described as “Europe’s first five-star zero-carbon emission wine resort.”
Castel Mimi has been included in the international ranking of the 15 most beautiful architectural masterpieces of the wine world. The grounds feature the historic castle, a boutique hotel, an outdoor swimming pool, several restaurants, tasting halls, lavender around the vineyards and a constant programme of cultural events: concerts, workshops and festivals. Wine spa treatments using grape extract are offered regularly.
Reserve and Special Edition wines produced here are not available in regular retail — only on the estate itself. According to TripAdvisor reviews and international travel guides, this is the most “complete” tourist experience of all Moldovan wineries.
What to taste: Roșu de Bulboaca (red blend), white reserve lines, Rosé de Mimi, Special Edition collection.
5. Château Vartely — a modern château near Orheiul Vechi
Region: Codru, Orhei (~50 km from Chișinău)
Speciality: white wines, ice wine, restaurant with Moldovan cuisine
Highlight: three types of cottages styled after different regions of Moldova
Perfect pairing: ideal combined with a visit to Orheiul Vechi
Château Vartely is one of the first Moldovan private wineries of the “new wave” to become a benchmark for tourist infrastructure. Situated on a hill in the Orhei district, not far from the Orheiul Vechi cave monastery complex — making it the ideal stopping point for combining a cultural and gastronomic programme in a single day.
The grounds are laid out in the manner of a French château: vineyards, an inner courtyard with winemaking décor, a restaurant with panoramic views, and a tasting hall. The special pride of the winery are its white wines and ice wine — amid the abundance of reds in the Moldovan offer, Vartely’s whites stand out for their freshness and complexity.
Staying overnight here is a pleasure in its own right. The three types of cottages are styled after homes from different regions of Moldova: northern, central and southern styles. If you stay three nights — one in each type — you can experience an “architectural journey” through Moldovan folk design without travelling an extra kilometre.
What to taste: Traminer, Pinot Gris, ice wine, Feteasca Neagră Reserve.
6. Et Cetera — a family farm with lavender, a pool and gold medals
Region: Ștefan Vodă, Crocmaz (~130 km from Chișinău)
Speciality: boutique quality, winemaker-led approach
Recognition: Decanter describes it as a model of “stylish and innovative winemaking”
Format: family-run; tastings frequently led by the winemaker in person
Et Cetera is the opposite of Mileștii Mici. Instead of millions of bottles — personal attention. Instead of industrial scale — family passion. Brothers Alexandru and Igor Luchianov founded the winery in 2002 in Crocmaz, near the Ștefan Vodă border, surrounded by peach orchards, lavender fields and vineyards overlooking the Danube wetlands.
Tastings here are often led by the owner and head winemaker, Alexandru Luchianov himself. You taste directly from the barrel, hear the story of each vineyard block, and understand the differences between terroirs through concrete examples. This is exactly what people travel to Burgundy for — only in Moldova and considerably more accessible.
Et Cetera has won at the Interwine Grand Challenge in Guangzhou; its wines are highly rated by Decanter and Winerist critics. On the grounds: a restaurant with author cuisine, hotel rooms and a pool overlooking the vineyards.
What to taste: Feteasca Neagră from specific parcels, white blends, dry-style Rosé.
7. Asconi Winery — a family estate with cottages and a fishing pond
Region: Codru, Puhoi (~30 km from Chișinău)
Speciality: indigenous varieties, Rară Neagră, Feteasca Neagră
Highlight: 20 cottages in traditional Moldovan style, swimming pool
Atmosphere: the most “village-like” of the larger wineries in the region
The Sârbu family founded Asconi in 1994 on the site of a former Soviet viticultural enterprise. Today it is one of the most popular family wine resorts near Chișinău — 20 cottages in the style of a traditional Moldovan village, a swimming pool, a private fishing pond and several restaurant halls with a focus on home-style Moldovan cuisine.
Winemaking at Asconi revolves around indigenous varieties: Rară Neagră and Feteasca Neagră perform particularly well here. Tours include a cellar visit, a walk through the vineyards and tasting in several formats — from a basic flight to an extended food-paired set.
For travellers who want to combine tasting with a proper rest in nature by the water, Asconi is ideal. Culinary masterclasses in Moldovan cooking are also offered on site.
What to taste: Rară Neagră Reserve, Feteasca Neagră, Viorica white, Riesling Ice Wine.
8. Fautor — Robert Parker and Decanter critics among its admirers
Region: Valul lui Traian, southern Moldova
Speciality: premium reds, whites from rare varieties
Recognition: more international awards in 2017–2018 than any other Moldovan producer
Robert Parker score: 90 points for Fumé Blanc
Fautor is a small family winery in the warmest region of Moldova, but with an international reputation that larger producers might envy. In 2017–2018 it received more awards at international competitions than any other Moldovan producer. The renowned American critic Robert Parker awarded the Fautor Fumé Blanc 90 points on his 100-point scale — a rarity for Moldovan wine at the time.
The winemakers’ philosophy: “we approach wine production as art — the artist pours beauty and emotion into their creation.” In practice this means low yields, hand harvesting and working with rare varieties — Albariño (unusual for Eastern Europe), Fumé Blanc, Malbec. The portfolio also includes ice wine and late-harvest botrytised wines.
The Valul lui Traian region is less developed for tourism than Codru, so a visit to Fautor is best planned in advance by contacting the winery directly. It is precisely here, away from tourist flows, that the most authentic experience of Moldovan winemaking can be found.
What to taste: Fumé Blanc, Fete Negre (red blend), Albariño, late-harvest ice wine.
9. Crama Mircești — history in every glass
Region: Codru, Mircești
Speciality: traditional Moldovan winemaking, gastronomy
Highlight: restored boyar manor house in Brâncovenesc style
Atmosphere: the most “historically immersive” of the smaller wineries
Crama Mircești is the place for those whose interest in wine extends beyond taste to history. The restored boyar manor house in the distinctive Brâncovenesc architectural style has become the symbol of this small winery. The emphasis here is not on industrial scale — the principal asset is the combination of old architecture, quiet vineyards and wines made with deep respect for tradition.
The tour programme includes a cellar visit, an introduction to the history of the estate and a tasting in an atmosphere that transports you to 19th-century Moldova. Crama Mircești is regularly featured in multi-day organised wine tours as a mandatory stop for all those who want to combine wine with architectural and cultural context.
A restaurant with traditional cuisine and accommodation are available on the estate. The small capacity means every visit is intimate and personal.
What to taste: reds from local varieties, limited-edition releases, cellar wines.
10. Château Cojușna (Migdal-P) — dessert wines and medieval halls
Region: Codru, Cojușna (~15 km from Chișinău)
Speciality: fortified and dessert wines, port, madeira
Unique selling point: the only Moldovan winery with a focus on fortified styles
Tasting halls: medieval castle style
Château Cojușna is the most unusual of the larger Moldovan wineries in terms of specialisation. While the others work primarily with still and sparkling table wines, Cojușna builds its reputation on fortified and dessert styles: port, madeira, sherry-style wines, late-harvest muscats.
The tasting halls are decorated in the style of a medieval castle — stone, arches, torches, wrought-iron details. This gives the visit an atmosphere found nowhere else among Moldovan wineries. The tour includes the historic part of the cellars and an extensive tasting programme with an emphasis on dessert styles.
Its location just 15 km from Chișinău makes Cojușna an excellent option for an evening visit — a return to the capital without an overnight stay is perfectly feasible. For those who appreciate fortified wines, or simply want to try something fundamentally different from everything else in Moldova — this is an unmissable point on any itinerary.
What to taste: port-style from Cabernet, madeira, late-harvest muscat, Pinot Noir in dessert style.
How to plan a wine tour in Moldova
One-day tour from Chișinău
If you have a single day, choose between two formats. The “records” format: Mileștii Mici in the morning + Cricova in the afternoon. Both within 20 km of the capital, both leaving a lasting impression through sheer scale. The “château” format: Castel Mimi + Asconi — both in Codru, both family-spirited, both with good food and the option to stay overnight.
Two-day tour
Day one: Cricova or Mileștii Mici + Château Vartely + overnight in one of Vartely’s cottages or in Chișinău. Day two: head south — Château Purcari + Et Cetera. This is the classic itinerary offered by most organised tours, and it genuinely covers the principal “typologies” of Moldovan winemaking.
Three-day tour — “Complete Moldova”
Day one: Castel Mimi + Crama Mircești. Day two: Château Purcari + Et Cetera (with an overnight stay at one of the wineries). Day three: Cricova + Château Cojușna. This itinerary covers all three regions, all three “sizes” of winery and all the main styles of Moldovan wine.
Quick-reference table: choosing by traveller type
| Winery | Distance from Chișinău | Style | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mileștii Mici | ~20 km | Record scale | First visit, families |
| Cricova | ~18 km | Theatrical, sparkling | Unforgettable impressions |
| Château Purcari | ~130 km | Premium, history | Special occasion, overnight |
| Castel Mimi | ~45 km | Resort, architecture | Romance, spa |
| Château Vartely | ~50 km | Whites, ice wine | Combined with Orheiul Vechi |
| Et Cetera | ~130 km | Boutique, family | Connoisseurs and enthusiasts |
| Asconi | ~30 km | Family, nature | Holidays with children |
| Fautor | ~100 km | Collectible, rare varieties | Serious wine lovers |
| Crama Mircești | ~60 km | Historic, boutique | History + wine |
| Château Cojușna | ~15 km | Fortified, dessert | Port and madeira lovers |
Practical tips for your wine tour
Book in advance. All major wineries require prior reservation. Mileștii Mici and Cricova are particularly popular at weekends — book 3–5 days ahead, and during harvest season (September–October) at least a week in advance.
Plan your designated driver. This is the key question of any wine tour. Options: one person in the group does not taste and drives; you hire a car with a driver (many local guides offer this service); or you stay overnight at one of the wineries and taste without restriction.
Best season — September and October. Harvest time. The vineyards are at their most vibrant, many wineries open exclusive tastings, and festivals take place. National Wine Day — the largest wine event in South-Eastern Europe — takes place annually in October in Chișinău.
Bring a jacket. Inside the underground galleries at Cricova and Mileștii Mici the temperature is a constant +12°C. In summer this feels like a sharp shift from heat to cold — many visitors forget this.
Buy wine at the source. Exclusive positions — Reserve, Special Edition, collectible releases — are sold only on the winery estate. Prices in the estate shops are considerably lower than their European equivalents for the same bottles. Pack a spare bag or empty suitcase in advance.
Combine your routes. Château Vartely pairs conveniently with Orheiul Vechi (15 minutes away). Purcari and Et Cetera are neighbours in Ștefan Vodă. Asconi and Castel Mimi are both in Codru, both 30–45 km from the capital. Smart logistics allow you to visit two or three stops in a single day without unnecessary detours.