4 Hours Cricova Winery Tour with Tasting

If you’re visiting Chisinau and looking to experience one of Moldova’s most fascinating attractions, the Cricova Winery offers a combination of history, stunning underground architecture, and excellent wine. For around $90, you get roughly 4 hours of exploration—though actual touring and tasting take about 2 hours—along with the chance to walk through 120 km of underground tunnels, view impressive wine collections, and even peek inside an underground church.

What we love most about this tour is how it combines authentic winemaking processes with the captivating labyrinth of tunnels, creating a truly one-of-a-kind experience. The guides are praised for their knowledge and humor, making the complex history and production methods easier to understand. Plus, the wine tasting—featuring four different wines, including sparkling—is a delightful highlight.

A potential consideration is that, due to the size of the winery and scheduled group tours every two hours, the time inside might feel a bit rushed—especially if you’re hoping for a very deep dive into winemaking techniques. Also, the snacks provided during tasting tend to be simple dry crackers and nuts, which some may find a little underwhelming.

This tour suits travelers who are eager to see something truly unique, appreciate good wine, and enjoy guided storytelling about Moldova’s wine heritage. It’s perfect for those wanting a memorable and visually stunning experience, suitable for most travelers thanks to the manageable group size and flexible pickup.

Key Points

• Underground Wonder: Cricova’s tunnels stretch over 120 km, creating an awe-inspiring maze of wine cellars and galleries.
• Authentic Winemaking: The winery produces sparkling wine using the traditional Champenoise method, with secondary fermentation in the bottle.
• Historical Treasures: The collection includes 640 types of wine, with the oldest being a bottle from 1902 called Easter Jerusalem.
• Engaging Guides: Visitors consistently praise the knowledgeable guides, like Andrei, for their storytelling and humor.
• Taste of Moldova: The tour features four wine tastings, including sparkling wine, in opulent tasting rooms.
• Somewhat Limited Time: While the tour is labeled as 4 hours, the actual inside tour lasts about 2 hours, which might feel brief for some.

The Setting: A Labyrinth Beneath Moldova’s Capital

Cricova isn’t just a winery; it’s a world of its own. Once you meet your guide at the Stephen the Great Monument in Chișinău, you’ll begin the journey into a vast underground complex. According to reviews, the tunnels are enormous and beautifully maintained, with some descriptions emphasizing the fascinating sight of endless tunnels and huge vats.

This underground city is a living museum of wine history. You’ll see rows of bottles, some dating back over a century, and learn how the winery maintains the unique climate essential for aging wines. At Cricova, the wine collection totals over 640 types, including the rare Easter Jerusalem from 1902—a one-of-a-kind bottle that’s hard to find anywhere else in the world.

The Winery’s Unique Winemaking Methods

What makes Cricova special is its commitment to producing sparkling wines the traditional way, following techniques similar to those used by Dom Pierre Perignon. The secondary fermentation happens inside the bottle, creating those delightful bubbles you’ll taste during the session.

The maturation process takes place deep underground, where bottles are stored at an angle in endless racks. Here, bottles are shaken daily to remove sediment—a process known as remuage—and then degorgement to clarify the sparkling wine. These steps are explained clearly by guides like Andrei, who can convey the process with both expertise and humor.

Walking Through the Tunnels

The labyrinth of tunnels is undoubtedly the highlight for many visitors. As one reviewer notes, “you’ll never see anything quite like it again,” as you are driven in a small vehicle through massive underground galleries. The tunnels are mysterious and atmospheric, with caves and chambers carved into the rock, each with its own character.

Some sections are opulently decorated for tastings, with elegant rooms where you can savor your wines. The opulence of the tasting rooms is frequently praised, making the experience feel very special.

The Wine Tasting Experience

After touring the cellars, you’re invited to a tasting hall where a professional sommelier introduces the wines. You get to sample four types, which often include a sparkling wine, a red, a white, and perhaps a dessert wine. Reviews highlight the delicious, high-quality wines served in rooms fit for kings, with some noting the décor as being quite opulent.

While the snacks are mainly dry crackers and nuts, this is typical of many wine tastings—though some visitors wish for a bit more variety or larger portions. Still, the focus remains on the wines themselves, which are generally well-received.

The Historical and Cultural Touches

One of Cricova’s most unusual features is the underground church, which adds a layer of cultural depth to the visit. It’s a reminder that Cricova isn’t just about wine—it’s a cultural landmark with a story that intertwines religion, history, and winemaking.

The oldest wine in the collection, the Easter Jerusalem, produced in 1902, is a tangible link to the past. Visitors often comment on how special it feels to stand in a place where history and tradition are preserved so vividly.

Practical Aspects of the Tour

The tour lasts about 4 hours in total, but note that the inside tour runs approximately 2 hours. The remaining time includes transportation and possibly some initial city sightseeing. The group size is small, which enhances the experience, allowing for better interaction with guides.

Transportation is highlighted as seamless, with pick-up offered from a central location. The tour is private for your group, which helps keep it intimate and personalized.

In terms of cost, at $90.20 per person, the price reflects the exclusive access to the tunnels, the guided experience, and the wine tasting. Many reviewers agree that this offers good value, especially considering the uniqueness of the underground labyrinth and the quality of the wines.

Who Will Love This Tour?

Travelers who enjoy learning about winemaking processes and have an interest in history and architecture will find this tour particularly rewarding. It’s also perfect for those who want to taste quality Moldovan wines in a setting unlike any other.

If you’re comfortable with shorter tours and appreciate guided storytelling, you’ll find the pace just right. However, if you’re seeking an in-depth, lengthy exploration of wine production, you might find the time a bit limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is transportation included?
Yes, pickup is offered from a central location in Chișinău, making the experience smooth and stress-free.

How long is the actual tour inside the winery?
The inside tour lasts about 2 hours, which includes the walking through tunnels, galleries, and tasting rooms.

What wines will I taste?
You will taste four types of wine, including sparkling wine, along with possibly a red, white, and sweet wine, depending on the day.

Are snacks provided during tasting?
Yes, the tasting includes dry crackers and nuts as snacks, which are typical in wine tastings but may seem simple to some.

Can I see the winemaking process?
While you will learn about the remuage and degorgement processes, some reviews suggest the tour is more commercial and opulent than an in-depth look at winemaking.

Is the tour suitable for children or non-drinkers?
The primary focus is on wine tasting, so it’s best suited for adults or those of legal drinking age. Children can still enjoy the impressive tunnels and museum part of the experience.

Can I book this tour last minute?
Most travelers book about two weeks in advance, but last-minute availability can vary depending on the season and group size.

Final Thoughts

The 4 Hours Cricova Winery Tour with Tasting offers a rare glimpse into Moldova’s winemaking heritage and an impressive underground landscape. It’s a journey that combines history, architecture, and delicious wines in a setting that’s truly unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere. The tour’s small group size, expert guides, and quality tasting make it a worthy experience for anyone interested in wine, history, or unique travel sights.

While it may feel a little rushed for those seeking an exhaustive look at every technical detail, the overall value and authentic charm of Cricova make it a highlight of any Moldova visit. It’s especially well-suited to travelers who want a balanced mix of culture and taste in a fascinating underground environment.

Whether you’re a casual wine lover or a dedicated oenophile, this tour promises a memorable day beneath Moldova’s capital, filled with spectacular sights and excellent wine. Prepare to be enchanted by the tunnels, captivated by the stories, and delighted by the bubbles in your glass.