Cricova Winery offers a captivating wine tasting experience that immerses visitors in Moldova’s rich winemaking heritage. Situated just 9 miles from Chisinau, the 3-4 hour tour showcases the winery’s stunning 15th-century limestone tunnels transformed into expansive wine cellars. Guests will explore the production areas, learn from knowledgeable local guides, and sample three distinct wines in beautifully designed tasting halls. With opportunities for additional tastings, Cricova is a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts seeking an immersive cultural experience. What makes Cricova’s offering truly compelling, however, is the chance to uncover the unique story behind Moldova’s winemaking legacy.

Key Points

Cricova Winery With Tasting - Key Points

  • The Cricova Winery tour offers a guided exploration of historic 15th-century limestone tunnels converted into expansive wine cellars.
  • Visitors can sample three types of wine during the tasting experience in the winery’s designated tasting halls.
  • The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, as well as a local guide to provide insights into Moldova’s winemaking heritage.
  • Guests have the option to upgrade their experience with additional wine tastings and food pairings.
  • The winery is located 9 miles from Chisinau and the tour duration is approximately 3-4 hours.

Tour Overview

Cricova Winery With Tasting - Tour Overview

The Cricova Winery Tour from Chisinau offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the underground city and vast wine cellars of this renowned Moldovan winery.

Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars based on 8 reviews, the tour is just 9 miles from Chisinau and lasts 3-4 hours.

Highlights include touring the 15th-century limestone tunnels transformed into wine cellars, visiting production areas, and exploring the State Collection and tasting halls.

Travelers can upgrade to include wine tastings and snacks.

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a local guide, and all taxes and fees.

However, some travelers have reported issues with guide availability.

Itinerary Highlights

Cricova Winery With Tasting - Itinerary Highlights

Explorers can discover the 15th-century limestone tunnels that have been transformed into the expansive wine cellars of Cricova Winery.

These underground chambers hold an impressive 30 million liters of wine. Visitors can tour the production areas to learn about the winemaking and Champagne-production processes.

The tour also includes a visit to the State Collection and tasting halls, where guests can sample three different types of wine. Depending on the package, travelers have the option to upgrade their experience with additional wine tastings and snacks.

  • Explore the historic underground tunnels
  • Tour wine and Champagne production areas
  • Sample three types of wine in the tasting halls

Included in the Tour

Cricova Winery With Tasting - Included in the Tour

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a local guide, and all taxes, fees, and handling charges.

Three types of wine tastings are provided as part of the experience. However, food and drinks beyond the wine tastings, as well as souvenir photos, aren’t included and will incur additional costs.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and infant meals aren’t provided. The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, but service animals are allowed, and infant seats are available.

Group size is limited to a maximum of 48 travelers.

Additional Details

Confirmation is typically received at booking or shortly after for travel within 1 day.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, but infant meals aren’t included. While the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, service animals are allowed, and infant seats are available.

The minimum drinking age is 18 years, and the tour accommodates a maximum of 48 travelers.

Some key considerations for travelers:

  • The booking policy is non-refundable, so cancellations don’t receive refunds.
  • Mixed reviews highlight potential issues with guide availability.
  • Positive feedback emphasizes the knowledgeable guides and enjoyable wine tastings.

Customer Experiences

Travelers have offered mixed reviews about their experiences on the Cricova Winery tour. Some have reported issues with the availability of guides, which can hamper the overall experience.

However, many have praised the knowledgeable guides and have thoroughly enjoyed the wine tastings. The tour is recommended for those interested in exploring Moldovan wine culture, but the non-refundable booking policy means that cancellations don’t receive refunds.

Booking and Cancellation

Visitors can book the Cricova Winery tour directly through the provider, with confirmation received either at the time of booking or shortly after if the reservation is made within a day of the tour date.

The booking policy is non-refundable, meaning cancellations don’t receive any refunds.

However, there are a few key considerations:

  • The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, so guests with mobility challenges should plan accordingly.
  • Infants are welcome, but infant meals aren’t included in the tour package.
  • Groups are capped at a maximum of 48 travelers to ensure an intimate experience.

Tour Duration and Distance

The Cricova Winery tour from Chisinau takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete, covering a distance of 9 miles (15 kilometers) from the city center.

The tour allows visitors to explore the expansive 15th-century limestone tunnels that have been transformed into vast wine cellars, capable of holding an impressive 30 million liters of wine.

Travelers will have the chance to visit the production areas for both wine and Champagne, as well as the State Collection and tasting halls.

With the option to upgrade for additional wine tastings and snacks, the Cricova Winery tour offers an immersive experience for those interested in exploring Moldova’s rich winemaking heritage.

Moldovan Wine Experience

Situated just 9 miles from Chisinau, the Cricova Winery offers an immersive Moldovan wine experience.

Visitors can explore the 15th-century limestone tunnels transformed into vast underground wine cellars, which hold an impressive 30 million liters of wine.

The tour includes highlights like:

  • Witnessing Champagne and wine production areas
  • Tasting three varieties of Cricova’s renowned vintages
  • Browsing the lavish State Collection and tasting halls

This excursion provides a unique opportunity to explore Moldova’s rich winemaking heritage and savor the country’s exceptional grape-based offerings in an atmospheric, subterranean setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Average Temperature in the Wine Cellars?

The average temperature in the wine cellars is a constant 12°C (54°F) year-round, which provides an ideal environment for the aging and storage of the millions of liters of wine produced at this historic winery.

Can I Purchase Wine Bottles During the Tour?

Yes, visitors can purchase wine bottles during the Cricova Winery tour. The tour includes the option to upgrade and sample various wines, and there’s an on-site shop where guests can buy bottles to take home.

Are Audio Guides Available for the Tour?

The tour doesn’t mention audio guides being available. It seems the tour is led by a local guide, so visitors would likely receive a guided experience without additional audio components.

What Languages Do the Tour Guides Speak?

The tour guides typically speak multiple languages, often including English, Russian, and Romanian. Visitors should confirm the available languages when booking to ensure a guide that speaks their preferred language.

Is Photography Allowed Throughout the Tour?

Photography is generally allowed throughout the tour. However, visitors should confirm with the tour guide or staff as there may be some areas where photography is restricted for safety or preservation reasons. The tour guide can provide guidance on where and when photos may be taken.

Sum Up

Cricova Winery offers a captivating journey through Moldova’s rich winemaking heritage. With its impressive 15th-century limestone tunnels, visitors can explore the production areas and savor three distinct wine varieties. The knowledgeable local guides and opportunities for additional tastings make Cricova a must-visit for wine enthusiasts and culture seekers alike. It’s a compelling experience that immerses guests in the heart of Moldova’s winemaking tradition.