Production Areas

Overview

Deep beneath the rolling hills just north of Chisinau, Moldova, lies an extraordinary subterranean world: the Production Areas of Cricova Winery. Far more than just a cellar, this is an underground city dedicated entirely to the art of winemaking. Spanning an astonishing 120 kilometers of labyrinthine tunnels, carved from former limestone mines, Cricova offers an unparalleled glimpse into the meticulous processes that transform grapes into world-renowned wines. Visitors often find themselves marveling at its sheer scale and the constant, ideal conditions maintained naturally within its depths, where temperatures hover around 12–14°C (54°F) and humidity remains at 95–98% year-round—perfect for wine aging. This national treasure is a testament to Moldova's rich winemaking heritage and an experience unlike any other.

History & Cultural Background

The story of Cricova Winery began in 1952, when Moldova faced a challenge in finding suitable conditions for storing and aging its wines. Two visionary figures in Moldovan winemaking, Petru Ungureanu and Nicolae Sobolev, proposed an ingenious solution: utilizing the vast underground galleries left behind from centuries of limestone quarrying. These ancient tunnels, some dating back to the 15th century when limestone was extracted to build Chisinau, proved to be ideal. The wines matured in this silent, subterranean environment quickly developed exceptional qualities. Since then, Cricova has grown into a globally recognized institution, officially declared a National Cultural Heritage of Moldova by parliamentary law, underscoring its profound significance to the country's identity and culture.

What Makes It Special

The Production Areas of Cricova are not merely storage facilities; they form a fully-fledged underground city, complete with streets named after the grape varieties stored along them, such as 'Cabernet', 'Chardonnay', and 'Aligoté'. This unique infrastructure allows for an organized and efficient production process entirely underground. Cricova is particularly renowned for its sparkling wine, being the first and largest producer in Moldova to employ the classical French method, often referred to as 'Méthode Traditionnelle' or 'Méthode Champenoise'. This intricate process involves secondary fermentation in the bottle, followed by an extended aging period, typically for at least three years, sometimes up to five. A fascinating aspect of this production is the 'remuage', or riddling, where skilled Moldovan specialists manually rotate up to 50,000 bottles per day in wooden 'pupitres' to settle the yeast sediment. Beyond sparkling wines, Cricova's maturing sections house white wines for 5-6 months and red wines for 1-3 years in thousands of oak and massive metal barrels, all benefiting from the stable underground environment.

Stories, Fun Facts & Local Details

Cricova's storied halls have played host to numerous dignitaries and are steeped in captivating legends. Perhaps the most famous tale involves cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, who visited the cellars in 1966. Legend has it that he reportedly got 'lost' in the labyrinthine tunnels and re-emerged two days later, somewhat disoriented, famously quipping that it was 'easier to fly into space than to find the way out of these cellars'. Another notable visitor was Russian President Vladimir Putin, who celebrated his 50th birthday within Cricova's unique setting. The winery is also home to the National Oenotheque, a remarkable collection of nearly 1.3 million bottles of rare wines. Among its most prized possessions is the 'Easter Jerusalem' vintage from 1902, a red dessert wine considered the only surviving bottle of its kind in the world, alongside a 1902 Jan Becher liqueur. The collection also includes wines once belonging to Hermann Göring, trophies from World War II.

Visitor Perspective

Exploring Cricova's Production Areas is an immersive journey through the heart of Moldovan winemaking. Guided tours often involve traveling through the extensive underground network by electric mini-train, offering visitors a comfortable and engaging way to traverse the miles of tunnels. Along the route, guests can witness firsthand the various stages of wine production and aging: from the vast halls filled with oak barrels where still wines mature, to the sparkling wine section where bottles undergo their secondary fermentation and riddling process. The tour provides clear explanations of the winemaking techniques, including the labor-intensive Méthode Traditionnelle. Seeing the sheer volume of wine stored and the dedication of the 'remueurs' who manually turn thousands of bottles daily offers a profound appreciation for the craft. It's an educational and memorable experience that connects visitors directly to the history, culture, and precise artistry embedded in every bottle produced at this extraordinary underground winery.