Cricova Winery

In the central region of the Republic of Moldova stretches an area of impressive and charming vineyards, in the heart of which lies the "Cricova Winery" - well known for its huge labyrinths and especially for its excellent wines. The history of this amazing place began in 1952, when the renowned academician and winemaker Petru Ungureanu carried out the first experiments with the maturing of classic sparkling wine in the limestone hrublands of Cricova. Already in 1954, the wine collection was founded at the "Cricova winery", the significance of which over the years has passed beyond the borders of the enterprise, so that it became known as the National Winery. At present the collection numbers over 1.3 mln. bottles. In 1955, the first branded wines were bottled in the underground cellars here, and in 1980 the thirty-year-old idea was realized - the champagne factory began to operate in the Cricova galleries. Cricova is a valuable brand, known far beyond the borders of the country. It is the first and only enterprise, decorated with the highest state distinction, the Order of the Republic and recognized by law as an object of national cultural heritage representing one of the main tourist attractions of the country.

Milestii Mici Winery

Founded in 1997, the State Enterprise Quality Wines Industrial Complex “Milestii Mici” is a true underground wine town, made up of lantern-shaded alleys, in whose galleries is kept a valuable collection of about 1.5 million bottles of wine, the collection being included in the Guinness Book of Records in 2005. The winery is the largest network of underground galleries, with over 200 km of streets, of which over 50 km are converted into wine stores, which are located up to 85 m deep. The streets of the underground wine city, spread over an area of 55 km, maintain a constant temperature of 12°C - 14°C and a relative humidity of 80% - 85%, which ideally contributes both to the preservation of the strategic Moldovan reserves and to the discovery of the natural qualities of the elite wines. The original architecture in the style of the old feudal castles, the grand entrance to the galleries, the crystal-clear waterfall and the "wine" havuz at the entrance to the complex, await their visitors eager to taste the legendary wine.

Bardar Winery

Just 15 km from the capital, in the heart of Moldavia, in a superb white grape vineyard, the Bardar Winery was born and began its history in 1929. The entrepreneur named Muller, laid the foundations of what is today Bardar Winery, building a small distillery in the village of Bardar. Already in 1940 tthis distillery was transformed into a veritable factory for the production of distillates and wines. The company produces cognac – wine distillates, aged 3 years, 5 years, 7 years, 10 years, 15 years and 20 years. At the moment Bardar Winery is in the TOP 3 producers of divines in the Republic of Moldova, winning around 50 medals at national and international competitions during the last years.

Mansion of Manuc Bey

Manuc Bey Mansion: a monument passed through time and history! Recently renovated and open to visitors, the Manuc Bey historical-cultural complex is a historical site that hides important relics for our nation. The complex includes buildings such as Manuc's Palace, the House of the Bailiff, the Countess's Building, the Hunting Castle, the Watchtower. It is one of the most beautiful historical sights not only in Hincesti but also in the whole country. The palace was built according to the design of the architect Alexander Bernardazzi and is supposed to have been decorated on the inside in four styles: Armenian, Turkish, Moldavian and European and that the bridges of some rooms were painted by the painter Ivan Aivazovski. The history of the Manuc Bey Mansion begins with the merchant and diplomat Manuc-Emmanuel Mîrzoian, an Armenian by nationality, who moved from the Romanian city of Sibiu to Chisinau and bought the Hâncești estate. Even though the mansion was built by his son and grandson, it bears his name. The two built a stunningly beautiful French-style castle with a winter garden, guard towers and a huge park. In 1993 the mansion was granted the status of an architectural monument.

Mimi Castle

Located just half an hour from Chisinau, Castel MIMI is a high quality wine producer with centuries of experience in the field. With a deep respect for tradition, the cellar's specialists create incomparable wines, following the example of the illustrious winemaker Constantin Mimi (1868 -1935). The modern architecture, borrowed from French practice, is due to the fact that Constantin Mimi studied viticulture and winemaking in Montpellier (France). It is believed that the mansion was the first real chateau in Bessarabia. Built with two floors of reinforced concrete (a novelty at the time), the chateau was considered a modern edifice not only in Bender County, but in the whole governorate. The castle cellar had a capacity of 300,000 litres of wine. Today, Mimi Castle is a cultural centre of excellence in the Republic of Moldova, a place where wine, gastronomy and Bessarabian traditions can be discovered in a new form. The tourist complex combines the historical with the modern, each detail being the carrier of a hidden energy or symbolism that characterizes the millenary culture of the land between Prut and Nistru. The captivating history, rich in details, the selected wines of local production combined with the most delicious dishes and special events bring tens of thousands of people from all over the world to the courtyard, gardens and cellars of Mimi Castle.

Asconi Winery

Asconi Winery - traditions handed down from generation to generation, a family business that combines the wine and gastronomic traditions of the given area with modern winemaking technology. Wine and traditions, by the way, are the secret of Asconi, which is not just a winery, but an attractive tourist complex, located just 35 km from the capital, in the village of Puhoi, Ialoveni district. Red and white, Asconi wines are aromatic, fruity, wines made from highly productive varieties. It seems to be strange the contrast between the two main concerns in the route: wine and traditional cuisine, but the level of culture and distinction seen internationally as functional, symbolic and romantic justify and complement each other and create a perfect atmosphere for relaxation and rest. Here, guests can witness the entire winemaking process, visiting the wine storage, bottling or maturing sections. There are also plenty of tourist attractions in the area, such as the Valea Botnei - a folklore area with 11 ethno-folklore groups of traditional music and dance; the Suruceni monastery, built in the 17th century, with a large number of traditional dances. 19th century in the Moldavian architectural style or the handicraft workshops of Ulmu and Văsieni. Asconi is one of the few local wineries with three types of Ice Wine in its portfolio, which have won medals in international competitions.

Cellars Branesti and restaurant ”Epoca de piatră”

The "Epoca de piatră" tourist complex of Branesti Winery, which holds the third underground cellar in Moldova after Milestii Mici and Cricova, opened its doors to visitors in September 2016. Unique in its own way, starting from the geographical location, with the design of the galleries and the indescribable atmosphere it offers tourists the opportunity to experience life in the cave as it was in the Stone Age, with little interventions of the modern. The Branesti winery is located in an old limestone mine, the galleries of which stretch over a distance of 75 km and are spread over an area of 75 ha. The entire architecture is built at a depth of 60 metres, which favours a constant temperature of 12-14 degrees all year round and humidity of 90-92%. Currently, the winery is working on the launch of Moldova's first underground hotel, full of mystery, which will surely fascinate every tourist, curious to discover and explore the medieval town with an impressive network of beautifully designed limestone tunnels and caves hidden underground. The underground galleries of the future hotel will offer the visitor hidden and dimly lit corridors, shadowy tunnels, stories and legends, all kinds of more or less spacious rooms, sights and symbols.