From Chisinau: visit Cricova and Milestii Mici Wineries

Exploring Moldova’s renowned wine culture becomes an unforgettable experience with this private tour from Chisinau, which takes you into the underground worlds of Cricova and Milestii Mici wineries. Spanning approximately 6 hours, the tour offers a deep dive into two of the world’s largest wine cellars, each with its unique story, impressive tunnels, and exceptional tasting opportunities. You’ll enjoy guided visits, sampling of multiple wines, and local Moldavian appetizers, all included in the package.

This tour is ideal for wine lovers and curious travelers who want to see Moldova’s extraordinary underground wine storage and learn about its winemaking traditions. The experience emphasizes comfort, with hotel pickup and drop-off, and is suitable for those prepared for some underground walking—with golf cart rides inside the cellar tunnels. Because it’s a private group, the tour maintains an intimate, personalized feel, guided by experts who share insightful details about Moldovan wine heritage.

Key Points

• Visit the two largest wine cellars in the world: Cricova’s 120 km of underground galleries and Milestii Mici’s over 200 km tunnels.
• Enjoy guided tours and wine tastings: Sample 4 wines and 1 sparkling wine at Cricova, plus 3 wines with local appetizers at Milestii Mici.
• Learn about winemaking: Guides explain the process from grape to bottle, enhancing your understanding of Moldova’s wine culture.
• Convenient logistics: Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Chisinau, with transportation provided.
• Visits are accessible with underground golf cart rides, but the tour is not suitable for children under 4 or visitors with mobility issues.
• Flexible cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and reserve with the option to pay later.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Visiting Cricova: The Underground Wine City

The tour begins with a private guided visit to the Cricova Winery, situated just 14 km north of Chisinau. Founded in 1952, Cricova is celebrated for its 120 km of underground galleries, which resemble a sprawling city of wine. During this visit, the guide leads you through sections such as the Wine Maturation and Sparkling Wine Production areas, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process.

You’ll have the chance to taste 4 different wines along with one sparkling wine. The tasting is complemented by local snacks, including biscuits and nuts, making it a delightful introduction to Moldovan wines. The guides are knowledgeable and take time to explain what makes Cricova so special, from its history to its production techniques.

Exploring Milestii Mici: The Largest Wine Cellar in the World

After Cricova, the tour moves to Milestii Mici, located about 20 km south of Chisinau. This winery holds the record for the largest wine cellar in the world, with tunnels stretching over 200 km and a collection exceeding 2 million bottles. The underground temperature remains steady at 12-14°C, ideal for wine storage.

Here, the focus is on tasting three wines—a dry white, a dry red, and a vintage dessert wine—which are paired with prosciutto crudo, salami, carpaccio, breadsticks, nuts, and prunes. The guided visit includes a walk through the tunnels, and visitors are transported about 80 meters underground with golf carts. This setting offers a unique ambiance that highlights Moldova’s long-standing wine tradition.

The winery also treats guests to a gift—one bottle of “Univers” wine, making it a memorable keepsake of the day’s experience.

Inside the Cellars: What Makes the Tasting Special

The tasting sessions are carefully curated to showcase Moldova’s diverse wine offerings. At Cricova, you sample 4 wines, including a sparkling variety, giving a well-rounded view of the local offerings. The pairing with Moldovan snacks enhances the tasting experience, making it more than just sampling wine—it’s about appreciating local flavors.

Milestii Mici’s tasting emphasizes three different wines paired with savory and dried fruits, providing a balanced tasting session in an impressive subterranean setting. The constant underground temperature ensures wines are stored optimally, and the experience of walking among the tunnels adds a unique dimension to the tasting.

The Logistics and Guide Experience

The entire tour is private, ensuring personalized attention and a flexible pace. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with guests asked to wait in their hotel lobby about 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. The transportation is comfortable, and the tour duration is approximately 6 hours, with a flexible start time depending on availability.

Guides speak English, Romanian, and Russian, and are noted for being super attentive, providing insightful commentary throughout both visits. Visitors are advised to bring comfortable shoes and warm clothing, especially since a significant part of the tour is spent underground.

More Great Tours Nearby

Accessibility and Practical Considerations

While the underground tunnels are a highlight, they require guests to walk about 80 meters underground. The tunnels are accessible via golf carts, but the tour is not suitable for children under 4, or for visitors with mobility impairments or who use wheelchairs. Be prepared for some physical activity, but rest assured that the pace is manageable for most travelers in good health.

Comparing Cricova and Milestii Mici: What Sets Them Apart

Cricova is renowned for its city-like underground galleries, history, and a slightly more formal tasting experience with a focus on sparkling wines. Its location close to Chisinau makes it very convenient, and the wine tasting is a highlight.

Milestii Mici stands out for its massive tunnel network, the largest in the world, and a collection exceeding 2 million bottles. Its pairing of wines with local snacks adds a culinary dimension to the visit, and the imposing underground storage creates a memorable setting for tasting.

Both wineries offer guided tours, but each provides a different perspective on Moldova’s wine tradition—Cricova with its more urban underground city and Milestii Mici with its vast tunnel network.

Final Thoughts on the Moldova Wine Tour

This 6-hour private tour offers an in-depth look at Moldova’s world-record wine cellars and a flavor of the country’s long-standing wine heritage. The combination of guided cellar visits, tastings, and local pairings ensures an engaging experience for wine enthusiasts and curious travelers alike.

The tour’s main strengths are its comprehensive visits and expert guides, making it a well-organized way to explore Moldova’s wine culture without the hassle of independent planning. The included transportation and hotel pickup add convenience, and the gift of a wine bottle provides a nice takeaway.

However, the underground nature and walking requirements mean it’s best suited for those comfortable with some physical activity. This tour offers a balanced mix of education, tasting, and cultural insight, making it a worthwhile addition for anyone visiting Chisinau.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour suitable for children?
This tour is not suitable for children under 4 years and may not be ideal for children due to the underground tunnels and walking involved.

What is included in the tasting sessions?
At Cricova, you taste 4 wines and 1 sparkling wine served with snacks like biscuits and nuts. At Milestii Mici, you enjoy 3 wines paired with prosciutto crudo, salami, carpaccio, breadsticks, nuts, and prunes.

How long does the entire tour last?
The tour lasts approximately 6 hours, including transportation, guided visits, and tastings.

Are the tours accessible for people with mobility issues?
No, the tour involves walking about 80 meters underground and is not suitable for visitors with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

Can I cancel this tour?
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, making it flexible for changing plans.

This detailed review emphasizes the unique elements of the Cricova and Milestii Mici wineries, highlighting what makes this tour a captivating way to experience Moldova’s wine-making traditions firsthand.

You can check availability for your dates here: More Great Tours Nearby