Vine Growing.

Legend has it that vines used to grow only in heaven. After Adam and Eve were banned from paradise, vine leaves formed part of their wardrobe. It is said that the Almighty took pity on the first inhabitants of the earth and gave them the vine. This was so that, by cultivating it, they might discover the secret of immortality.


Perhaps this is why in Moldova wine is considered to be the drink of life. Also, taken at Eucharist with bread, it both purifies the soul and is a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice. Moldovans say, "the vine brings joy" - that’s provided you know the art of drinking the heavenly liquid the vine produces.

Since Stephen the Great’s time Moldova has produced wines, which were famous far beyond its borders. The well-known Moldovan governor and scholar Dimitri Cantemir stressed, as early as the 18th century, how important viticulture was to the country’s economy. Because of varying climatic conditions Moldova can be divided into four wine producing regions, each growing its special vines:

1. Central or Codru Region. This is where more than 50% of Moldova’s vines grow. The forests, hills and rolling countryside typical of this region protect the vineyards from winter frosts and dry summer winds. It is the best area for Feteasca, Sauvignon, Riesling, Traminer rosй and Cabernet production. There is also a famous microclimate zone in this region - the Romanesti - the former wine-making Imperial colony of Romanov dynasty. This is the place to sample the best white and sparkling wines, as well as the so-called "divines" (fortified wines) and sherries.

2. South East or Purcari Region This is a narrow strip of land stretching along the western bank of the Nistru river and home to the famous Purcari winery. Red grape production is prevalent here, particularly Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon and Rara neagra. The Purcari estate was famous for developing German vines and winemaking techniques, and produces high quality wines comparable to Russillions - Landnedoc.

3. Southern Region. This region is famous for its French vine varieties, which have adapted beautifully to the climatic conditions of the area: Pinot gris, Muscat blanc, Traminer rosй, Gamay freaux, Cabernet, etc. The high quality red wines grown here cause the region to be compared to the Bordeaux region of France.

4. Northern Region. Much of the grape harvest from here is destined for brandy production and includes fine white varieties, such as Aligote, Pinot, Feteasca, Traminer, Sauvignon, Riesling and Chardonnay. Moldova’s climatic conditions, combined with the landscape of gentle hills and valleys, produce very favourable growing conditions in the so-called "cups" on the sunny slopes.

The circular "cups", vine supported by wooden stakes, frequently shaped like huge satellite dishes catch the heat of the sun during the day and retain the warmth of the earth overnight. At the same time, the "cups" effectively shield the vines from both hot and cold winds, helping them fulfill their mission of bringing joy to our lives.

Centures Create Quality

It's History, bottled and corked. Purcari wines are a legend of the all-conquering high quality retaining in itself the whole history of an exceptional bouquet of wine. This is a legend of French settlers and warm Black Sea winds, of the English Queen Victoria and the glittering of gold medals.
Centuries create quality. Flat and cosy slopes on the Dniester right bank in the vicinity of Purcari village once belonged to the foreign Aphono-Zagrafsky Monastery. Local favourable terraced relief letting the sun light up and warm these slopes all day long attracted settlers who made Purcari land their home and set about planting vineyards. They got perpetual tenure from the monastery excepting power of sale or feofment and undertook to pay tithe (1/10 of their profit) and 1/10 of grapes gathered.
The dominant Monastery's requirement "was planting vineyards, cultivating and keeping them in good condition". If the requirements were disregarded the lands and everything that was cultivated and built on them were taken away without any reimbursement. The idea of turning waste lands into high productive grounds suited settlers very well.
Many of them realized that warm and humid Black Sea winds and sandy-argillaceous soil of Purcari Region will enable them to grow remarkable grapes there. It was the first step in obtaining Purcari wines of good quality.

Moldova and Its Famous Wines

The cultivation of the wine is one of the most ancient activities of the Moldovan people. Significant harvests of table grapes, boasting a range of valuable dietary and curative qualities, are obtained from the local vineyards.

A rich variety of the finest wines, suited to all tastes and palates, are also produced here. On wine routes, which spread out like a web from Chisinau, visitors will appreciate, along with European wines like Chardonnay, Pinot, Riesling, Cabernet, and Aligote, the local, high quality wines like Rara Neagra, Feteasca, Plavai, etc. The name of these wines comes either from the type of the grapes, or from the name of the places where the famous wineries are located: Purcari, Cricova, Ciumai, Romanesti, Cojusna, Milestii Mici, etc. These are well known all over the world as producers of quality wines, appreciated both by royalty and the most prestigious consumers. They say that once a Moldovan wine is tasted, there are never any regrets. It is in Cricova that the traveller will discover the biggest wine cellar in the world. It is also here that he can take a trip around its underground streets, which stretch for over 100 km.

Visitors will pass by one of the most tremendous wine collections of over 30,000,000 litres, and be welcomed into the spacious tasting halls. "Quality has become a tradition" - is what the wine producers say. There are few tourists to Moldova who have not visited CricovaСs cellars. Tourists are greeted with the same warm welcome at all the other wineries. Every wine enthusiast can enjoy the flavour and quality of the drink in a Dionysian atmosphere, selecting the one matching his taste, as each wine in Moldova is unique. The harvest from Milestii Mici boasts its specific features and the wines produced here and deposited in the local cellars, which stretch for more than 50 km, obtain the most noble and full flavour. In Cojusna one can discover a bouquet of wines, which reminds one of the tenderness and dynamism of a Moldovan traditional dance. At Purcari or Ciumai the tasting ceremonies are a truly new experience for those, who have tried to penetrate the mystery of this divine drink. Each stopover at the wineries in Moldova will let us understand why the Romans used to say "In vino veritas". In Moldova - the only country, the shape of which, when seen on a map, resembles the shape of a bunch of grapes - local tradition idolised this drink, which preserves the freshness of the morning dew, as well as the natural purity and the vigorous richness of the soil. A strong drink in Moldova is called "divine" boasts an unprecedented taste and bouquet. Moldovan "divines" produced at Chisinau, Calarasi, Bardar, Balti, Tiraspol or other wineries have long proclaimed the excellence of the wine makers of Moldova. The wine route is probably the best way to discover the essence of Moldova.