Tour to Cricova-Winery
Short description of winery complex «Cricova»:
The pearl of Moldavian wine making is winery „Cricova”, located 15 km away from the capital of Republic of Moldova Chisinau. The winery complex, established in 1952, is famous in the whole world for its unique underground labyrinths and high quality wines, which are stored here at the depth of 60 meters.
In Cricova cellars history, archeology and the art of wine making got united and created the genuine subterranean town. At the moment the wine town stretches on the territory of 53 ha, and the total length amounts to 120 km. The depth of some labyrinths can reach 80 meters. Like in a normal town there are streets, traffic lights and signs here. The streets of this town have the „wine” names: „Cabernet”, „Dionis”, „Feteasca”, „Aligote”, „Sovignon”. The temperature in underground galleries remains permanent during the whole year and it is +12 …+ 14°C, relative humidity is about 98%. Namely these conditions, created by nature, contribute to ripening of high quality wines. The famous Cricova cellars appeared on the ground of stone pit. The cities Chisinau and Balti were built by stones quarried here. Cricova has remarkable wine collection established in 1954. This wine collection counts about 1 million 300 thousands bottles. Unique examples have been picked up for years from different parts of the world. The most famous bottle is the red dessert wine „Easter Jerusalem”. This is the only one single example of 400 bottles, dated from 1902. The wine collection is being refilled with new examples through exchange, buying and gifts.
The uniqueness of underground wine complex consists in the fact that it has 5 spacious and superb tasting halls, where the elements of classic architecture and modern design are combined. The halls are decorated with real master pieces: stained-glass windows, tapestry and wood carvings, performed by the most skillful domestic maestros. To the tasting halls belong: „The European hall” with the picture of vineyards in all seasons of the year; the hall „Sea bottom” with the view of the ancient Sarmatian Sea; „The Presindet´s hall with the image of winegrowing and viniculture in Republic of Moldova; „Fire place hall” creating the warm and calm atmosphere; the hall „Casa Mare” with traditional design of Moldavian peasants house.
In April 1965 the first cosmonaut of our planet Yuriy Gagarin offered a joke after having visited Cricova cellars, telling, that if there will be shortage of metal on Earth, he is committed to bring it from the moon or other planets in order to produce the medals, which shall fill in the Cricova cellars.
The excursion to Cricova cellars includes underground streets, department of wine ripening, production of classic sparkling wines, national wine collection and tasting halls.
Important to know:
- From Monday to Friday excursions are available from 09.00 till 21.00; on Saturday and Sunday: from 10.00 till 18.00.
- From 16.00 and on weekends the standard tour costs 10 Euro more per 1 person.
- Excursions are conducted in Romanian, Russian, English and French.
- Excursions are conducted with transportation of Cricova complex.
Tour program for the option Tiraspol-Cricova-Tiraspol:
- Transfer Tiraspol-Cricova-Tiraspol.
- Excursion + Wine tasting according to selected level + Snack
Tasting levels (in total 5 levels) + snack:
- First Level(1 hour 30 min.): 4 wine samples + snack: walnuts, biscuit, water.
- Second Level(2 hours,available for a group of not less than 4 persons): 6 wine samples + snack: assorted cheese, water.
- Third Level(2 hours,available for a group of not less than 4 persons): 5 wine samples + snack: a plate with fresh vegetables, sheep milk cheese and a variety of meats, cottage cheese pie, potato pie, apple pie, mamaliga (polenta) with pork stew, sour cream and sheep milk cheese, dessert "Baba Neagra".
- Fourth Level(2 hours 30 min.,available for a group of not less than 4 persons): 8 wine samples + lunch: "Peasant" snack; salmon carpaccio; chicken liver pate; eggplant paste with vegetables; baked peppers with tomato sauce; placintas; sweet pastry; pepper with tomato sauce; chicken fillet with applesauce and allumet vegetables; dessert "Evening Chisinau"; bread; mineral water; tea, coffee
- Fifth Level(3 hours, available for a group of not less than 4 persons): 9 wine samples + lunch:Caprese salad; cheese platter; assorted raw smoked meat; fish platter; pastry; liver pate with onion jam; duck fillet with pear; salmon steak on a layer of rice with baked vegetables; cheesecake; bread; mineral water; tea, coffee
Prices for the tour Tiraspol-Cricova-Tiraspol + Excursion + Wine Tasting + Snack:
- Price for 1 person for transfer, excursion and wine tasting according to selected Level(costs from level 2 to 5 like for 4 persons):
Prices for transfer Tiraspol-Cricova-Tiraspol + Excursion + First tasting level:
- For 2 persons: 170 Euro
- For 3 persons: 200 Euro
- For 4 persons: 240 Euro
Prices for transfer Tiraspol-Cricova-Tiraspol + Excursion + Second tasting level:
- For 2 persons (price for the tasting like for 4 pax): 280 Euro
- For 3 persons (price for the tasting like for 4 pax): 300 Euro
- For 4 persons: 320 Euro
Prices for transfer Tiraspol-Cricova-Tiraspol + Excursion + Third tasting level:
- For 2 persons (price for the tasting like for 4 pax): 320 Euro
- For 3 persons (price for the tasting like for 4 pax): 340 Euro
- For 4 persons: 360 Euro
Prices for transfer Tiraspol-Cricova-Tiraspol + Excursion + Fourth tasting level:
- For 2 persons (price for the tasting like for 4 pax): 450 Euro
- For 3 persons (price for the tasting like for 4 pax): 470 Euro
- For 4 persons: 490 Euro
Prices for transfer Tiraspol-Cricova-Tiraspol + Excursion + Fifth tasting level:
- For 2 persons (price for the tasting like for 4 pax): 700 Euro
- For 3 persons (price for the tasting like for 4 pax): 720 Euro
- For 4 persons: 740 Euro
Duration:
- Transfer Tiraspol-Cricova-Tiraspol takes about 2 hours 40 minutes (1 hour 20 minutes for 1 way).
- Excursion + Wine tasting take from 1,5 to 3 hours (depends on selected tasting level).