Milestii Mici Underground Winery Tour INCLUDING Wine tasting

Exploring Moldova’s most famous underground wine cellar becomes a true highlight with the Milestii Mici Underground Winery Tour. Priced at $124.51 per person, this 4-hour experience offers a seamless journey from Chișinău, with hotel pickup, a professional guide, and round-trip transportation included. Known for housing over 2 million bottles across more than 200 km of tunnels, this cellar is officially recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest underground cave network in the world. Visitors get to walk through 85-meter-deep galleries, discovering centuries-old wines stored under noble dust.

What makes this tour particularly appealing is the wine tasting experience that occurs in the cool, dark corridors, thanks to the driver taking the wheel and letting guests indulge without worry. Also, the tour is praised for its knowledgeable guides, often noted as friendly, helpful, and full of insight about Moldovan viticulture. While the duration of about 2 hours inside the tunnels is usually enough to enjoy the highlights, some reviews mention that the shorter visit can leave taste buds craving more time to savor the wines and explore.

This tour suits those interested in local wine culture, history enthusiasts, and food lovers, especially because it pairs tastings with traditional Moldovan appetizers like bruschetta topped with aubergine cream, zacusca, and cream cheese with prosciutto crudo. Since lunch is not included, guests might want to plan for additional dining afterward, but the snacks provided complement the tasting well.

Key Points

• Price: $124.51 per person, with group discounts available
• Duration: Approximately 4 hours, including transportation and tasting
• Location: 20 km south of Chișinău, at Milestii Mici
• Transport: Hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off from central Chișinău
• Highlights: Walk through vast underground galleries covering over 200 km of tunnels, learn about indigenous Moldovan varietals, and enjoy tastings of three different wines
• Food: Appetizers included—bruschetta with aubergine cream, zacusca, and cream cheese with prosciutto
• Experience: Led by friendly, knowledgeable guides with a focus on Moldovan wine and culture, praised for their engaging storytelling
• Booking: Book 33 days in advance on average; cancel for free up to 24 hours’ notice

Starting Point: Hotel Pickups in Chișinău

The tour begins with a prompt pickup from central Chișinău hotels. The private vehicle transports guests in comfort directly to Milestii Mici. This 40-minute drive offers an opportunity to hear interesting facts about Moldova from the guide, who is often praised for their knowledge and friendly demeanor.

The convenience of door-to-door transport makes this experience accessible for most travelers, removing the hassle of public transport or self-driving. The driver then ensures guests are dropped back at their hotels at the end of the tour, completing a stress-free trip.

Discovering Milestii Mici’s Vast Underground Cellars

Once at Milestii Mici, visitors are introduced to the world’s largest underground wine cellar network. The gallery system includes over 50 km of wine galleries, with bottles stored at a depth of about 85 meters. The cellars are cool and dark, providing an ideal environment for aging wine, and some bottles date back to 1968.

The guided tour includes walking along noble dust-covered bottles and viewing big barrels stored in the tunnels. The cellars are an impressive sight, with over 2 million bottles awaiting their turn for tasting. Tour guides share insights into indigenous Moldovan grape varieties and the history of wine production in the region.

Visitors often comment on the stunning views of the tunnels and the cleanliness and organization of the underground complex, making it easy to appreciate Moldova’s wine craftsmanship. The electric trains used during the visit enhance the experience, allowing guests to explore more areas of the vast underground network comfortably.

Wine Tastings in the Cool, Dark Cellars

A key feature of this tour is the wine tasting session. Guests sample three different wines, often paired with local appetizers. The appetizers include bruschetta with aubergine cream, zacusca, and cream cheese with prosciutto crudo. These snacks complement the wines and enhance the tasting experience, making it more than just a sip-and-see.

Since a driver is responsible for transportation, guests are free to indulge in the tastings without worry. The wine guide—praised for their knowledge and enthusiasm—explains the characteristics of each wine, including details about indigenous grapes and the aging process. Many reviews highlight the quality and variety of wines as a high point of the tour.

The tasting duration is sufficient for tasting multiple wines, but some note that the shorter visit leaves them wishing for more time to savor the flavors or explore additional bottles in the cellar.

Traditional Moldovan Appetizers and Snacks

While wine tasting is a major focus, the appetizer options elevate the experience further. The bruschetta served with aubergine cream, zacusca, and cream cheese with prosciutto are thoughtfully included to pair with the wines. These local snacks help introduce visitors to Moldovan flavors and add a delicious touch to the tasting.

The warm ambiance of the underground galleries, combined with the delicious snacks, creates a relaxed atmosphere where guests can enjoy a taste of Moldova in both flavor and heritage. Some reviews mention the food quality as good, though a few note that the wine itself might not appeal to everyone, as tastes can vary.

Impressions of the Guides and Tour Pacing

Natalia is frequently praised for her friendly, informative approach. She provides detailed explanations about Moldovan wine culture and shares engaging stories about the cellars and local history. Many reviews describe her as thoughtful, kind, and attentive, creating a personalized experience.

The pacing of the tour generally satisfies most, with about 2 hours spent exploring the tunnels and another hour for tasting and snacks. Some visitors feel the tour duration is a bit shorter than expected, especially considering the depth and size of the cellar network. However, the overall flow is smooth and allows enough time to appreciate the environment and sample wines comfortably.

The Unique Allure of Milestii Mici Tunnels

The main highlight is walking through the vast underground galleries that stretch across over 200 km. The tunnels, carved into the bedrock, are 85 meters deep and provide an impressive backdrop for wine storage and tasting.

The electric train rides add a fun element to the visit, allowing guests to see more of the tunnels without walking long distances. Many comments emphasize the stunning, cool environment of the cellars and the atmosphere created by the dust-covered bottles and dim lighting. The size and scale of the cellar system are a true spectacle.

Practicalities: Booking, Cancellation, and Group Size

The tour is typically booked around 33 days in advance, reflecting its popularity. The group size is limited to a maximum of 15 travelers, ensuring a comfortable and personalized experience.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled start, offering flexibility if plans change. The private vehicle and professional guide ensure a smooth, informative journey, with most travelers finding the cost justified by the quality of the experience.

Final Thoughts: Is This Tour Right for You?

The Milestii Mici Underground Winery Tour offers a well-rounded, comfortable, and informative glimpse into Moldova’s famous wine culture. It’s particularly suited to wine enthusiasts, history buffs, and food lovers who appreciate local flavors and underground sights.

While the tour duration is generally enough to enjoy the highlights, some may find it a bit short for the size of the cellar. The wine quality, guided explanations, and pairing snacks make this experience a worthwhile investment, especially with the convenience of hotel pickup and drop-off.

Overall, it’s a highly recommended activity for those seeking to discover Moldova’s wine heritage in an accessible, engaging, and scenic setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Milestii Mici underground tour?
The tour lasts approximately 4 hours, including transport, walking through the tunnels, and wine tasting.

What is included in the price?
The cost covers hotel pickup and drop-off, transport by private vehicle, guided tour, wine tasting of three wines, and appetizers.

Is lunch included?
No, lunch is not included. Guests can enjoy the appetizers provided during the tasting.

How far is Milestii Mici from Chișinău?
The winery is located 20 km south of Chișinău, about a 40-minute drive.

Can I cancel the tour?
Yes, free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the tour starts.

What makes Milestii Mici special?
It is recognized as the largest underground wine cellar in the world, with over 200 km of tunnels and more than 2 million bottles stored.

Are there any age restrictions?
Most travelers can participate; no specific age restrictions are stated.

Who leads the tour?
The tour is led by professional guides, often praised for their knowledge and friendliness.

Is this tour suitable for solo travelers?
Yes, the tour is well-suited for solo travelers, especially as it involves group discounts and personalized guidance.

Are there group discounts available?
Yes, group discounts are offered, making it a good choice for small groups or families.