From Moldova: Tour to Cricova Winery with wine tasting

Exploring Moldova’s Cricova Winery: A Complete Guide to the Underground Wine City

If you’re planning a trip to Moldova, a visit to Cricova Winery is a must. While we haven’t personally wandered through these vast underground tunnels, reviews and tour descriptions reveal a truly unique experience that combines stunning sights, rich flavors, and fascinating history. The three-hour tour with wine tasting offers a well-rounded glimpse into Moldova’s premier wine cellar, often described as a hidden underground city.

What we love about this tour is how it combines spectacular underground architecture, knowledgeable guides, and a chance to sample some of Moldova’s best wines. The guided aspect ensures you learn about the history and craftsmanship, while the underground streets make for an atmospheric visit. Plus, the fact that the tour includes transportation from Chisinau adds a level of convenience. One thing to consider is that this tour isn’t suitable for those with motion sickness, given the underground movement.

This experience is perfect for wine enthusiasts, history buffs, or anyone craving an authentic taste of Moldova’s viticultural traditions. If you’re looking for a blend of culture, history, and delicious wine, this tour hits all those marks.

Key Points

• Underground City: Cricova features the largest wine cellars in the world, designed like an underground city with streets named after wine varieties.
• French Champagne Techniques: Cricova applies strict traditional French methods for champagne production, elevating their wines’ quality.
• Guided Tour & Tastings: The 1.5-hour guided sightseeing coupled with a 40-minute wine tasting offers both education and flavor.
• Small Group Experience: Limited to 8 participants, making it intimate and personalized.
• Easy Access: Includes hotel pickup and drop-off, ensuring a hassle-free visit.
• Value for Money: With entry, tour, tastings, and transport included, this offers good value relative to the experience.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Discovering Cricova: A Wine Lover’s Dream

The tour kicks off with a convenient hotel pickup in Chisinau, where you’ll be greeted by a friendly driver—something praised by past visitors for smooth, hassle-free logistics. The transportation is private and comfortable, setting the tone for a relaxed journey to what’s often called the “underground wine city.” The drive itself is short, just a few kilometers from the city center, but the real magic begins once you step inside the tunnels.

The Underground Cellars: A City Beneath the Surface

Once you arrive, the guided tour begins with a walk through Cricova’s vast underground network. Covering over 120 kilometers of tunnels, the cellar resembles a city, complete with streets named after iconic wine varieties like Cabernet, Feteasca, Riesling, Aligote, and Sauvignon. These names aren’t just decorative—they mark where specific wines are stored, aging in perfect conditions underground.

What makes Cricova’s cellar so extraordinary is its size and atmosphere. The tunnels are wide and well-lit, with some areas resembling a grand museum or a labyrinth. You’ll learn that Cricova employs strict French champagne production methods, which is a point of pride and a mark of quality for the wines they produce. Walking along the broad avenues, you can almost imagine yourself in a historical city, but instead of buildings, you are surrounded by barrels, wine racks, and the scent of aging wine.

The Guided Tour: A Blend of History and Technique

The guide, often described as knowledgeable and engaging, walks you through the history of Cricova, explaining how the cellars have been used since the 1950s and their significance for Moldova’s wine industry. According to reviews, guides do a good job of balancing technical details with engaging anecdotes, making the experience accessible whether you’re a wine novice or a seasoned connoisseur.

During the 1.5-hour sightseeing, you’ll see ancient wine storage rooms, admire the artful architecture of the tunnels, and hear stories about legendary Moldovan wines and the city’s development. The tour isn’t rushed, allowing plenty of time to soak in the sights and ask questions.

The Wine Tasting: Four Wines, Rich Flavors

The highlight for many visitors is the 40-minute wine tasting. Here, you typically sample four different types of wine, chosen by the guides or as part of the standard tasting set. Reviewers mention the wines are of high quality, with some describing the selection as “excellent” and “worthwhile”. The tasting is held in a dedicated cellar room, giving an authentic vineyard vibe beneath the ground.

Past guests have appreciated the chance to learn about the specific characteristics of each wine and how they are produced. The tasting is often described as generous and well-paced, allowing enough time for savoring and conversation. Since food isn’t included, it’s best to enjoy the wines with light snacks or snacks you bring along, if desired.

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Practical Details: What You Need to Know

The entire experience lasts about three hours—a good length to get a thorough overview without feeling rushed. The small group size, limited to 8 participants, ensures you get personalized attention and the chance to ask plenty of questions.

The tour price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, entry tickets, the guided tour, and the wine tasting. The only thing not included is food, so plan accordingly if you want a full meal afterward.

The tour is available in English, Romanian, and Russian, making it accessible to a wide audience. You’ll want to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, as much of the visit involves walking through cool, underground tunnels.

What Past Travelers Say

One guest, Paulina, praised the experience for its smooth organization and friendly driver, noting that the guide was helpful in securing tickets when online booking proved difficult. She mentions that the communication was excellent via WhatsApp, which adds to the overall convenience.

Another reviewer, Alexandra, simply states, “definitely worth to visit this amazing place,” emphasizing how memorable and worthwhile the visit was. These comments highlight the professionalism of the tour provider and the high quality of the experience.

Who Should Consider This Tour?

This tour is best suited for wine lovers, curious travelers, or those interested in Moldovan culture. It’s an ideal choice if you want to experience something truly unique—an underground city of wine—without needing extensive prior knowledge. The guided format and small group size make it perfect for those who prefer a more intimate and educational experience.

However, if you are sensitive to enclosed spaces or suffer from motion sickness, this may not be for you, as the tunnels are underground and expansive. Also, it’s not designed for those craving a full meal; consider grabbing a snack before or after.

Final Thoughts

The Cricova Winery tour offers a fascinating peek into Moldova’s wine heritage. Combining impressive underground architecture, expert guides, and quality tastings, it’s a memorable experience that balances education and enjoyment perfectly. The convenience of transportation, small group size, and the chance to explore what many call the “underground city” make it a standout activity in Chisinau.

With good value for money, given all the inclusions, you’ll leave not just with a few bottles but with a deeper appreciation for Moldova’s wine craftsmanship. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or simply seeking an intriguing adventure, this tour delivers an authentic taste of Moldova’s viticultural pride.

FAQ

• How long does the tour last?

The full experience takes about three hours, including pickup, touring, tasting, and return.

• Is transportation included?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Chisinau are part of the package.

• What wines will I taste?

You’ll sample four different wines during the tasting, selected by the guide.

• Is the tour suitable for small children?

Suitable for older children and adults, but not recommended for those with motion sickness due to tunnel walking.

• What should I wear?

Comfortable clothes and shoes are advised, as you’ll be walking through cool underground tunnels.

• Can I book this tour last minute?

Yes, but availability can be limited, especially during peak times or if tickets sell out online.

• Is there an option to cancel?

Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour.

• Are food options available during the tour?

Food isn’t included, so plan to eat before or after the tour if desired.

To sum it up, this Cricova Winery tour offers a delightful blend of sight, sound, and flavor for those eager to uncover Moldova’s wine secrets. It’s a perfect choice for travelers who appreciate authentic experiences, want to learn about local traditions, or simply enjoy a good glass of wine in extraordinary surroundings.

You can check availability for your dates here: