Chisinau might not be the first place you think of when planning a wine-focused trip, but this Moldovan capital offers surprisingly rich options for oenophile explorers. With massive underground wine cellars, charming monasteries, and scenic countryside, wine tours here are as much about culture and history as they are about tasting. One standout is the Best of Moldova tour (see full details), which combines a visit to the historic Cricova underground cellars with the Old Orhei archaeological site and the beautiful Curchi Monastery—making it ideal for those interested in Moldova’s cultural layers.
If you’re looking for a more comprehensive day trip, the All Moldova tour (see full details) includes wineries, historic monasteries, and scenic villages. For a shorter, more intimate experience, options like the Milestii Mici Underground Winery Tour (see full details) show off the world’s largest wine cellar with a relaxed tasting session.
Below, you’ll find detailed descriptions of the 15 best wine tours in Chisinau, each offering unique ways to enjoy Moldova’s vinicultural heritage.
1. Best of Moldova: Cricova Winery & Old Orhei Tour including Curchi Monastery
At number 1, this full-day tour combines a visit to one of the oldest wineries, Cricova, famous for its vast underground labyrinth of tunnels**, with the Old Orhei archaeological complex and the Curchi Monastery. Starting with Cricova’s underground city—set 60-80 meters below ground—you’ll explore large tunnels filled with millions of bottles. The wine tasting here is included, and the tour lasts around 8 hours, making it perfect for those wanting a deep dive into Moldova’s wine culture. Visitors rave about the personable guides and the chance to taste exceptionally priced wines in a setting that feels more like a subterranean palace.
The Old Orhei, with its cave monasteries and ruins, offers a fascinating look at the country’s history, while Curchi Monastery adds a religious and architectural dimension. The tour includes a local ethnic village lunch (not included), providing a taste of rural Moldova. This tour is great for history lovers and travelers seeking an all-in-one cultural and wine experience.
Bottom Line: An excellent, well-organized tour for those wanting to combine Moldova’s best wine caves with historic sites in one full day.
2. Chisinau: Cricova Winery, Curchi Monastery, & Old Orhei Tour
This guided tour offers a 6.5 to 7.5-hour experience that hits the highlights of Moldova’s cultural landscape. It includes visits to the Cricova underground cellar, Curchi Monastery, and the Old Orhei archaeological complex. It’s designed for travelers who want a balanced day of tasting wines and sightseeing. The wine tasting at Cricova is complemented by visits to the ethnographic museum in Butuceni and the cave monastery at Bodie.
The small group size (limit of 9) and English, Romanian, Russian guides ensure a personalized experience. Travelers describe the tour as very well-organized, especially praising guides like Eleonora, who made the history and winemaking process come alive.
Bottom Line: Perfect for travelers who want a comprehensive cultural experience combined with top-quality wine tasting in a manageable group.
3. From Chisinau: Old Orhei complex and Cricova Wine Tasting
This 7-hour tour offers a good balance between archaeological exploration and wine tasting. You’ll visit Old Orhei’s open-air museum, walk through its caves, and enjoy a traditional Moldovan lunch in local villages (lunch not included). Afterwards, you’ll tour the Cricova underground city, where 120 km of tunnels house millions of bottles. The wine tasting includes four wines plus sparkling options, providing a comprehensive experience of Moldova’s viticulture.
Guests highlight the knowledgeable guide and the chance to see both historic sites and underground wine galleries in one day. The tour is ideal if you want a full culture with the convenience of a package.
Bottom Line: A great value day trip for those wanting diverse experiences—history, culture, and wine—in one go.
4. Milestii Mici Underground Winery Tour INCLUDING Wine tasting
This 4-hour tour takes you to Milestii Mici, which holds the Guinness World Record for the largest underground wine cellar—with over 200 km of tunnels. The guided tour explores the cellars, wine production areas, and tasting rooms, where you sample three wines plus typical Moldovan snacks. The highlight is walking through these vast underground corridors, covered with noble dust and home to some of Moldova’s most treasured bottles.
Reviews mention that this tour offers excellent value, especially since transport from Chisinau is included and the tasting is generous. It’s ideal for travelers interested in the scale and history of underground cellars and those wanting a more relaxed, intimate experience.
Bottom Line: A perfect shorter tour emphasizing Moldova’s record-breaking wine storage and offering delicious tastings.
5. Cricova underground Winery – with wine tasting
For a luxurious, private experience, this private tour of Cricova includes visiting multiple locations within the underground complex, with a personalized wine tasting. The private vehicle and exclusive access make this ideal for couples or small groups wanting a more intimate visit. You’ll learn about production processes including sparkling wines, and enjoy a variety of wines along with nuts and biscuits.
Guests note the beautifully decorated tunnels and the excellent wines at surprisingly low prices. The tour is tailored to those wanting a more exclusive experience without the crowds.
Bottom Line: The best choice for luxury wine tasting in a private setting, especially if you appreciate detailed explanations and personalized service.
6. New! All Moldova: Cricova Winery, Old Orhei and Curchi in one day
This 7- to 8-hour full-day tour combines top sights, including Cricova’s underground tunnels, Old Orhei’s archaeological site, and Curchi Monastery. It’s perfect for travelers who want to maximize their time and see Moldova’s most significant landmarks in one go. The private tour includes wines, with a visit to the extensive Cricova cellars and religious sites.
Guests praise Nicolai’s storytelling and the beautiful landscapes en route. The tour offers a full, personalized experience, with the option to include or skip meals.
Bottom Line: An ideal choice for those seeking a comprehensive, all-in-one Moldova experience in a single day.
7. Transdniestria Tour & Milestii Mici Winery
Exploring Moldova’s unrecognized Transdniestria, this 7-hour trip combines a taste of Soviet-era architecture with a visit to Milestii Mici’s underground wine city. The tour is limited to six participants, making it highly personalized. You’ll see the cozy streets of Tiraspol, try local foods (own expense), and end with wine tasting at the world’s largest underground winery.
Reviews note the friendly guides and the fascinating mix of history and culture. This tour appeals to those curious about Moldova’s less-known regions and wanting to experience local life and wine simultaneously.
Bottom Line: Perfect for adventurous travelers interested in offbeat destinations and Soviet history paired with Moldovan wines.
8. Moldova: Wine tour to Milești Mici cellar with Tasting
This 4-hour tour focuses on Milești Mici’s massive underground cellars, where over 2 million bottles are stored. The guided tour includes a walk through the tunnels, learning about the wine production process, and sampling 4 wines plus a sparkling option. It’s ideal for travelers who want a focused visit to the largest wine cellar in the world.
Guests appreciate the knowledgeable guide and the informative tasting session that highlights Moldova’s indigenous wine varieties. It’s a straightforward, value-packed experience.
Bottom Line: Best suited for wine enthusiasts looking to explore Moldova’s largest wine collection in a short time.
9. 4 Hours Cricova Winery Tour with Tasting
This efficient 4-hour experience covers Cricova’s labyrinth of tunnels, the wine museum, and sparkling wine production. You’ll taste 4 different wines, including a sparkling variety, and learn about the traditional methods used here. It’s a good choice for travelers with limited time but wanting a thorough overview of Cricova’s offerings.
Reviews mention the fascinating tunnels and detailed explanations, though some note the duration feels a bit short for the scope. Still, this tour offers solid value.
Bottom Line: A practical option for short stays wanting a taste of Cricova’s best wines and history.
10. Biking a Guinness Book Winery
For those who prefer active adventures, this 3-hour tour involves biking through Milestii Mici’s underground tunnels. You’ll experience the vastness of the cellar complex firsthand and finish with an informative wine tasting. It’s perfect for adventurous wine lovers who want to combine physical activity with culture and taste.
Guests mention the excellent guide and fabulous food pairing with local pies and desserts. This is a unique, memorable way to explore Moldova’s underground wine storage.
Bottom Line: Best suited for energetic travelers who enjoy cycling and exploring in one package.
11. Moldova: Tour Cricova Winery with wine tasting & city tour
This 4-hour tour pairs a guided underground winery visit with a city tour of Chisinau. You’ll see highlights like Stephen the Great Park, Parliament, and the Triumphal Arch before heading underground for wine tasting. The combination suits travelers who want to combine urban sightseeing with wine culture.
Guests praise the organized itinerary and the insightful guides. It’s a good choice if you want to see the city and the wine in one short trip.
Bottom Line: Ideal for first-time visitors wanting a broad overview of Moldova’s capital and wine.
12. Cricova Winery – Old Orhei & Cave Monastery
This 6-hour private tour takes you to Cricova’s underground tunnels and Old Orhei’s archaeological site with free time to explore both. It offers a personalized experience, with guided tastings and cultural visits. Guests comment on the informative guides and fascinating underground tunnels, making it great for those with a keen interest in Moldova’s wine and history.
Bottom Line: Suitable for travelers who want a customized, relaxed day of wine and culture.
13. Milestii Mici is the largest cellars of wine in the World! tour
This 3-4 hour visit offers an up-close look at the Guinness World Record-holding wine cellar. You’ll walk along streets named after wine varieties, learn about the storage conditions, and taste a selection of wines. Its impressive size and history make it a top choice for wine geeks.
Reviews note the fascinating scale and informative guides. It’s perfect if you want to see the largest wine collection on earth.
Bottom Line: For wine lovers eager to see the biggest wine cellar in the world, this tour delivers.
14. Milestii Mici winery Guinnessed World Records soviet museum
This 3-hour experience combines a tour of Milestii Mici’s underground cellar with a visit to the Soviet-era museum. You’ll taste wines from the collection, including sparkling varieties, and explore the largest wine collection globally.
Guests mention the fascinating history and large bottle collection. It’s suitable for those interested in Moldova’s recent past as well as its wine.
Bottom Line: A unique combination for history buffs and wine enthusiasts alike.
15. Highlights of Chisinau & Milestii Mici Wine Cellars
This 6-hour tour combines a city sightseeing tour of Chisinau’s main sights with a visit to Milestii Mici’s underground wine cellar. It’s a great introduction for first-time visitors who want a well-rounded experience—covering urban highlights and Moldova’s famed wine storage.
Reviews commend the knowledge of local guides and the smooth organization. If you prefer a shorter, diverse experience, this tour suits you.
Bottom Line: Ideal for those wanting a quick but comprehensive intro to Moldova’s city and wine.
How to Choose Your Perfect Wine Tour in Chisinau
When deciding on the best tour, consider your budget, time constraints, and interests. If you want a luxury, private experience, go for the Cricova private tour. For culture and history lovers, the Best of Moldova tour combines all the essentials. If you’re interested in record-breaking cellars, the Milestii Mici Guinness World Record tour is hard to beat.
For those with limited time, the 4-hour Cricova or Mileștii Mici tours offer solid insights without overcommitting. If you prefer active experiences, the biking tour (see details) blends adventure with wine tasting.
Booking early is advisable, especially during peak season (spring and fall), to secure spots in the most popular tours.
To sum it up, Chisinau offers a diverse array of wine experiences, from deep underground cellars and historic monasteries to private tastings and active adventures. Whether you’re a history buff, a wine connoisseur, or just looking for a fun day out, there’s a tour suited to your interests. For a comprehensive Moldova experience, options like the Best of Moldova or the All Moldova tour stand out. But if you want to dive deep into the world’s largest wine cellar, Milestii Mici is unmatched.
Remember, booking early ensures you get your preferred date and experience. So, pick your adventure, and enjoy Moldova’s remarkable wines and stories.