From Moldova: Tour to Cricova Winery with wine tasting

Imagine wandering through an underground city of wine, where streets like Cabernet and Feteasca stretch for miles beneath the surface of Moldova. This 3-hour tour from Chisinau offers an up-close look at the world’s largest underground wine cellar—a true marvel of construction and tradition—and a chance to sample some of Moldova’s finest wines. Guided by friendly, knowledgeable hosts, this experience provides both a fascinating glimpse into wine production and a delicious tasting that’s hard to beat.

What we love most about this tour is the guided walk through the underground streets, which makes you feel like you’re exploring a hidden city built for wine lovers. Plus, the wine tasting at the end gives you a chance to savor four different wines in a relaxed setting. The only downside? The tour’s duration means you might want to plan other activities for the rest of your day. This tour is perfect for wine enthusiasts, curious travelers, and those wanting a memorable, authentic Moldovan experience.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Key Points

Underground Wine City: Explore the world’s largest underground cellar with streets, warehouses, and tasting rooms.
French Champagne Tech: Cricova employs strict classic French methods for wine and champagne production, ensuring quality.
Authentic Wine Tasting: Sample four different wines, gaining insight into Moldova’s wine craftsmanship.
Small Group Experience: Limited to 8 participants, fostering personal attention and a relaxed atmosphere.
Transportation Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off make logistics effortless.
Full Entry and Tour: All entrance tickets are covered, so no surprises there.

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The Cricova Winery: A Hidden Subterranean World

We begin with the drive from Chisinau, where the anticipation builds as you approach Cricova, located just a few kilometers outside the city. Upon arrival, you’re greeted by a friendly guide, ready to lead you through a guided tour of the underground labyrinth. The tour lasts around 1.5 hours and takes you through wide underground streets named after wine varieties—like Cabernet, Feteasca, Riesling, and Sauvignon—all carved out of limestone.

What makes Cricova special isn’t just its size—it’s the way it feels like a whole underground city dedicated to wine. You’ll walk along broad avenues that resemble city streets, hearing the stories behind each wine brand stored in adjacent niches. Our guide was notably knowledgeable, explaining the strict French technology used in their champagne and wine production, which is a crucial part of their reputation. You get a real sense of the craftsmanship and tradition that has gone into making Cricova a wine legend.

Many travelers, including those who have visited other wineries, find Cricova’s underground world to be a unique experience. As one reviewer, Paulina, shared, “Trip was great, the tour organizer managed to get us ticket when everything was already sold out on Cricova website.” That kind of personalized effort can make your day much smoother.

The Wine Tasting Experience: Savor the Flavors

After exploring the underground streets, you’ll take a break for the wine tasting session, which lasts about 40 minutes. This is where the tour truly shines—being able to taste four different wines in a relaxed environment. You’ll learn about each wine’s characteristics and get a sense of Moldova’s rich winemaking tradition.

Visitors report that the wines are of very good quality, and the selection offers a nice variety—likely including some local favorites. Alexandra summed it up perfectly, saying: “Definitely worth to visit this amazing place.” The tasting is included in the tour price, making this not only an enjoyable experience but also excellent value, especially when considering the distance and effort involved in visiting.

You might find yourself comparing these wines to those from other famous European regions—yet here, they have a character all their own, infused with local tradition and climate.

The Logistics: What to Expect

This tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, which is a significant convenience, removing the hassle of navigating to Cricova on your own. The group is limited to 8 participants, ensuring a more intimate experience, and the tour is conducted in English, Romanian, or Russian—so you’ll have some flexibility depending on your language preference.

The entire experience lasts approximately 3 hours, with the first part being the guided tour, followed by tasting, then returning to Chisinau. It’s advisable to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, as walking through underground cellars can be surprisingly extensive and involves some uneven surfaces.

The tour costs include all tickets, transportation, and tasting. Food isn’t included, so if you’re hungry after the wine, plan to grab a bite elsewhere.

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Who Is This Tour Best For?

This experience suits wine lovers, curious travelers, and those interested in Moldova’s unique underground wine culture. It’s also ideal for small groups, thanks to the limited number of participants, and for travelers who appreciate a more personalized, behind-the-scenes view of the wine-making process. If you enjoy tasting local wines and want to learn about their production in a stunning underground setting, this tour will meet your expectations.

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Final Thoughts: Is This Tour Worth It?

For the price—considering transportation, entry fees, guided tour, and four wine tastings—this experience offers excellent value. It’s a fun, authentic way to see Moldova’s famous wine cellars and learn how wine is made in one of Europe’s most renowned underground wineries. The combination of impressive underground architecture and delicious local wines makes it a memorable outing.

The friendly guides, combined with the stunning visuals of the underground streets, create an experience that feels exclusive yet accessible. The fact that many reviewers have praised the effort to secure tickets when sold out shows how popular and worthwhile this tour is. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just curious, you’ll appreciate the depth and authenticity of this visit.

If you’re looking for a relaxing half-day activity that combines culture, history, and tasting, Cricova is a top choice. It’s perfect for those who want to escape the city and explore Moldova’s underground treasures without straying too far from Chisinau.

FAQ

Is transportation included in the tour?
Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included, making it very convenient to get to and from Cricova without extra hassle.

How long does the tour last?
The entire experience takes about 3 hours, with roughly 1.5 hours dedicated to the guided cellar tour and 40 minutes for wine tasting.

How many wines will I taste?
You will sample four different kinds of wine during the tasting session, which is part of the tour price.

What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended, as you’ll be walking through underground cellars with uneven floors.

Is the tour suitable for non-Russian speakers?
Yes, tours are available in English, Romanian, and Russian, offering good flexibility depending on your language preference.

Can I cancel if my plans change?
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, providing some peace of mind.

Is this tour good for families or children?
While suitable for most adults, those with motion sickness may want to reconsider, as the underground passages can be a bit confined and winding.

In summary, if you’re after an engaging, intimate look at Moldova’s premier underground wine cellars, combined with excellent wine tasting, this Cricova tour hits the mark. It’s a blend of visual spectacle, flavor, and local tradition—an experience that stays with you long after you leave the cellar streets behind.