Moldova wine tour

Moldova Wine Cellars Tour: Milestii Mici, Cricova & Purcari Wine Itinerary

Discover the underground wine cities, historic cellars, legendary wineries, and rich cultural heritage of Moldova on this unforgettable Moldova Wine Cellars Tour. This 5-day itinerary begins and ends in Chisinau and includes visits to some of Moldova’s most famous wine destinations, including Milestii Mici, Cricova, Buchetul Moldovei, and Purcari Winery.

Along the way, you will taste aged collection wines, explore vast underground galleries, discover the story of the legendary Negru de Purcari wine, sample traditional homemade Moldovan wines, and experience the cultural landmarks that make Moldova such a unique destination for wine lovers.

Moldova Wine Itinerary Highlights

• Taste 20–30-year-old collection wines from Milestii Mici
• Explore the famous underground wine cellars of Milestii Mici
• Journey through the Buchetul Moldovei vermouth factory
• See the oldest bottle of wine from 1902 in the Cricova gold collections
• Discover the history of the legendary Negru de Purcari wine
• Enjoy the aroma and flavor of traditional homemade Moldovan wines
• Visit Chisinau, Moldova’s capital city
• Experience Moldovan history, culture, cuisine, and hospitality

Day 1: Arrival in Chisinau & Homemade Moldovan Wine

Once you arrive at Chisinau International Airport, a representative from our company will meet you and accompany you to your hotel. You will receive an information package with maps, guides, and contact numbers to help you throughout your stay.

In the evening, enjoy dinner and your first taste of Moldovan wine. You may sample traditional homemade wines such as Lidia, a white wine, or Isabella, a red wine with rich ruby shades. This warm welcome is the perfect introduction to your Moldova Wine Cellars Tour.

Day 2: Chisinau Tour & Milestii Mici Underground Wine Cellars

After a panoramic tour of Chisinau, visit the National Ethnography and Natural History Museum, where you can see archaeological treasures, Bessarabian carpets, national costumes, valuable exhibits, and the famous mammoth of Moldova.

The journey continues with a visit to an extraordinary underground city: Milestii Mici. Riding by bus or driving by car, you will descend to a depth of approximately 80 meters. Measuring about 200 kilometers, the underground streets of Milestii Mici form one of the largest man-made cellar networks in the world.

Thanks to its impressive collection of approximately 2 million bottles, Milestii Mici was entered into the Guinness Book in 2006. During your visit, you will feel like royalty as you admire the glow of the fireplace and taste 20–30-year-old collection wines paired with selected Moldovan national dishes.

Day 3: Buchetul Moldovei Vermouth Factory & Cricova Wine Cellars

After breakfast, discover the ingredients of Moldovan vermouth at the Dubasari factory, home of Buchetul Moldovei. During the Soviet period, Buchetul Moldovei was one of the most popular wines on the market. This Moldovan vermouth is often considered the older brother of Italian Martini and contains infusions from more than 20 varieties of plants.

In the second part of the day, continue your Moldova Wine Cellars Tour with a visit to the famous Cricova underground wine galleries. Cricova’s underground streets cover nearly 53 hectares and are named after wine varieties such as Sauvignon, Cabernet, and Cahor.

One of the most famous stories told at Cricova is about Russian pilot Yuri Gagarin, who visited in 1966, became tipsy, got lost in the cellars, and missed the exit. According to the story, he emerged the next day after spending the night in the tasting room, which is now named after him.

At Cricova, you can also admire the oldest bottle of wine in the collection, dating from 1902, and experience one of Moldova’s most iconic underground wine destinations.

Day 4: Causeni Church & Purcari Winery

The first stop of the day is the Adormirea Maicii Domnului Church in Causeni. This remarkable church is the only one in Moldova with walls decorated with medieval frescoes. You will also notice that the church is buried halfway into the ground. This feature is connected to the restrictions of the Tatar domination period, when Christian churches were not allowed to be higher than a soldier on horseback.

In the afternoon, discover history in a bottle with a visit to Purcari Winery, a French-style wine estate famous around the world for the legendary Negru de Purcari. This celebrated wine is said to have been appreciated by nobles at the Court of Queen Victoria and won its first gold medal in 1878.

In the royal-style tasting room, you will enjoy Purcari wines and a lunch prepared from local ecological products. This visit offers a refined look at Moldova’s wine heritage and the traditions that helped make Purcari one of the country’s most recognized wineries.

Day 5: Chisinau Wine Shopping & Departure

After breakfast, enjoy time to walk around Chisinau and purchase the Moldovan wines you loved most during your stay. Moldova is known for offering excellent value, with good collection wines starting from approximately 7 Euros per bottle.

A representative from our company will then take you to Chisinau International Airport for your return flight home.

Customize Your Moldova Wine Cellars Tour

This Moldova Wine Cellars Tour can be customized based on your interests, schedule, and travel preferences. Pre-tour and post-tour options can also be added for travelers who would like to extend their stay in Moldova or explore more of the region.

Prices available on request.