Where is the world’s largest wine cellar? Not in Reims or Bordeaux, but in Moldova.  The Milestii Mici winery stores more than a million litres of wine in 200 km of underground limestone tunnels, which offer the perfect temperature and humidity for maturing wine. Visitors can travel through the galleries by electric train or bicycle, before sampling a selection of the wines.

Moldova’s winemaking tradition is one of the oldest in the world, dating back 7,000 years. Throughout the centuries, grapes and wine have become an indispensable part of our culture. There is even a National Wine Day, celebrated each October in the capital, Chisinau, with a festival featuring craft displays, folk music, dance performances and traditional culinary delights.

Our most famous wine producer is Chateau Purcari Winery, established by a decree issued by Russian Emperor Nicholas I in 1827. Grapes grown on the verdant hillsides between the Dniester River and the Black Sea produced the medal-winning Negru de Purcari, one of Queen Victoria’s favourite wines.

During the Cold War era, most Moldovan wine was consumed within the Soviet Union. In recent years, however, producers have greatly improved the quality of their wines in search of new markets in Western Europe. The renaissance of the wine industry has encouraged wine tourism, so Moldova, once considered the least visited country in Europe, is now extending a warm welcome to an increasing number of visitors.

At the start of this century, Chateau Purcari replanted 250 hectares of vineyards and introduced modern technology at the winery. It also opened an elegant restaurant and hotel, inviting    tourists to experience the rich history of the chateau. Other wineries have followed suit, opening tasting rooms and welcoming visitors to explore their estates.

We have designed a series of routes from Chisinau to each of our wine regions. These tours combine winery visits with cultural gems like the medieval city of Orhei, Saharna Monastery, and Tighina Fortress. Whether you’re a wine lover or an adventurer at heart, Moldova welcomes you with rich flavours, deep history, and warm hospitality. We invite you to raise a glass and discover our country!