The symbol of Moldovan winemaking, Cricova Cellars stretch for 37 miles, 260ft below ground, with labyrinthine roadways named symbolically: Dionis, Feteasca, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Chardonnay, etc. Just 15 minutes away from the Capital of Moldova, the limestone cellars house 8 million gallons of wine at a constant temperature of 54-57˚ F and humidity of 97-98%.

 

The tunnels of Cricova have existed since the 15th century, when the limestone was dug out for building the Capital city. Only in 1950s, tunnels were converted into wine cellars, named later the Underground Wine City.

 

To date, Cricova Winery is the biggest producer of sparkling wines in Moldova and in all South-Eastern Europe. The enterprise owns 1500 acres of vines and ensures control over production from cultivation of grapes to bottling of wine (producing about 650 thousand cases of sparkling wine annually). Over the years, Cricova sparklings have won more than 80 Grand Prix, gold and silver medals and prestigious awards at various international competitions.

 

The National Wine Collection housed at Cricova Underground City consists of outstanding selection of legendary local and foreign wines, some originating from the Goering’s wine collection (such as Moselle, Bourgogne, Bordeaux, and Porto). The oldest in its collection is „Easter Jerusalem” wine produced in just one batch in 1902. The Underground Wine City Cricova annually attracts thousands of tourists and hosts notorious personalities, politicians, artists from all over the world.