Cricova Winery

Cricova – the pearl of Moldovan winemaking and an underground city of wine

Cricova is one of Moldova's most renowned wineries and a true symbol of national viticulture. Its renowned underground galleries stretch for over 120 kilometers , and the National Wine Collection makes Cricova a unique center for the storage and aging of world-class wines. Since its founding in 1952 , the winery has preserved centuries-old winemaking traditions, combining them with modern technologies for the production of still and sparkling wines.

The Cricova cellars are renowned worldwide for their underground labyrinths and exclusive wines, and the tasting rooms allow every guest to experience the richness of Moldovan winemaking.

 

The History of the Cricova Wine Cellars

The Cricova cellars have an unusual origin: they are former limestone mines , formed by mining operations since the 15th century for the construction of Chisinau. In 1947, renowned winemaker Petru Ungureanu conducted the first experiments in storing classic sparkling wine in the quarry's tunnels, thus beginning a unique tradition of underground wine storage.

In 1952 , the Cricova Winery was officially founded , and in 1954, rare wines from the Goering Collection, along with wines from all the world's wine regions, were transferred there, forming the foundation of its renowned collection. In 1957, the winery began industrial production of sparkling wines using the classical method.

Since the 1970s, Cricova has been actively developing its own vineyards in the Codru and Valul lui Traian regions , establishing viticultural and winemaking associations and expanding production. In 1986, the company mastered the accelerated production method of sparkling wines— Charmat —and in 1998, the "Cricova-Vin" business and tourism center opened , where tourists can explore over 150 kilometers of underground galleries.

The extent and uniqueness of the underground city

The Cricova underground tunnels are the second largest in Moldova , second only to Mileștii Mici. Their total length is over 120 kilometers , and half of this space is used exclusively for wine storage. The "streets" of the underground city are named after wine varieties, and the galleries themselves are equipped with warehouses, tasting rooms, and other winery facilities.

The cellars reach a depth of 100 meters underground , and the collection includes 1.25 million bottles of rare wines , including some from the early 20th century—the oldest wine dates back to 1902. The temperature in the galleries is maintained at 12°C , and the humidity is 60–85% , ideal for long-term wine aging.

Legends and famous visitors

The Cricova cellars are shrouded in many legends. For example, in 1966, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin visited the wine galleries and spent two days there. Subsequently, the dungeons became a haunt for famous political and cultural figures. Vladimir Putin celebrated his 50th birthday there.

Wine production and collections

The Cricova winery produces both still and sparkling wines, including unique sparkling wines made using the classic "Méthode Traditionelle" method , based on Pierre Pérignon's recipes. The Cricova National Wine Collection—one of the largest in Europe—includes rare and aged examples, and the tasting rooms offer guests the opportunity to experience the diverse flavors and aromas of Moldovan wines.

Tourist opportunities

A visit to the Cricova Cellars is a unique experience for all wine lovers. Tourists can travel through the galleries by train, car, or bicycle , enjoying the grandeur of this underground city. Tastings, tours, and an introduction to the production process make the visit engaging for both adults and children (children under 10 are free when accompanied by an adult).

Anyone who has visited the underground galleries of Cricova returns again and again to admire the beauty and scale of this man-made underground wine kingdom.

The scale of Cricova's wine cellars is simply astounding!

Collectible wines

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