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 (lunch on levels 4;5;6;7).
Tasting levels (in total 7 levels) + snack (lunch on levels 4;5;6;7):
- Level №1 (duration 1 hour 30 min.): 3 wine samples + snack: walnuts, biscuit, water.
- Level №2 (duration 1 hour 50 min.): 5 samples of sparkling wines + snack: assorted cheese, cheese sticks, water.
- Level №3 (duration 1 hour 50 min.): 6 wine samples + snack: assorted cheese, water.
- Level №4 (duration 1 hour 50 min.): 4 wine samples + lunch: 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.
- Level №5 (it takes 2 hours, available for groups of 4 persons & more): 8 wine samples + lunch: tomatoes, cucumbers, paprika, sheep cheese; assorted meat (cold pork, cold chicken, beef tongue), baked vegetables; Moldavian traditional pie; A plate with aubergine, mashed beans and salty sticks traditional cabbage rolls with sour cream; traditional warm starter (a variety of „mici”, „chighiri” and sausages); dried plums stuffed with walnuts; bread; water; tea/coffee.
- Level №6 (it takes 2 hours 30 min., available for groups of 4 persons & more): 9 wine samples + lunch: salad «Caprese»; assorted cheese; plate of smoked meat; assorted fish; assorted Moldavian traditional pie; paste of liver with onion jam; duck filet with pear; salmon steak with rice and baked vegetables; cheesecake; bread; mineral water; tee/cofee.
- Level №7 (it takes 2 hours 45 min., available for groups of 4 persons & more): 11 wine samples + lunch: assorted cheese; plate with smoked meats; liver pate with onion jam; plate with roast vegetable rolls; plate with aubergine, mashed beans and salty sticks; fish plate; shrimps with parmesan;“Nicoise” salad (tuna, potatoes, eggs, Iceberg salad, green beans, olive oil with mustard beans); dorado fish in carrot sauce, vegetables and rice; mignon fillet in pepper sauce with soft boiled potatoes and baked vegetables; mixed fruit; “Mille feuille” dessert – dough with mascarpone cream cheese and forest fruits; bread; water; tea/coffee.
Prices for the tour Tiraspol-Cricova-Tiraspol + Excursion + Wine Tasting + Snack (lunch for levels 4;5;6;7):
- Price for 1 person for transfer, excursion and wine tasting according to selected Level:
- Price for the group from 2 to 7 persons (price per 1 person) for transfer, excursion and wine tasting according to selected Level:
- Price for the group from 8 to 20 persons (price per 1person) for transfer, excursion and wine tasting according to selected Level:
Duration:
- Transfer Tiraspol-Cricova-Tiraspol takes about 2 hours 40 minutes (1 hour 20 minutes-1 way).
- Excursion + Wine tasting take from 1,5 hours to 2,45 hours (depending on selected Level).
Price for excursion (without wine tasting) + transfer Tiraspol-Cricova-Tiraspol:
Excursion №1 (it takes 1 hour 10 minutes). This excursion is available only at 9 o'clock in the morning from Monday till Friday.
Prices for excursion №1 + transfer Tiraspol-Cricova -Tiraspol:
- For 1 person: 90 Euro.
- For 2 persons: 50 Euro per 1 person.
- For 3 persons: 45 Euro per 1 person.
- For 4,5 and 6 persons: 35 Euro per 1 person.
- For more than 7 persons: 30 Euro per 1 person.
Excursion №2 (it takes 1 hour 10 minutes). This excursion is available at any work time.
Prices for excursion №2 + transfer Tiraspol-Cricova-Tiraspol:
- For 1 person: 100 Euro.
- For 2 persons: 60 Euro per 1 person.
- For 3 persons: 55 Euro per 1 person.
- For 4,5 and 6 persons: 45 Euro per 1 person.
- For more than 7 persons: 35 Euro per 1 person.
Prices for the tour Chisinau-Cricova-Chisinau + Excursion + Wine tasting + Snack (lunch for levels 4;5;6;7):
Information: price for the package: transfer Chisinau-Cricova-Chisinau + excursion + wine tasting (there are 7 levels at your choice) + snack (lunch for levels 4;5;6;7) is 10 euro less than the package Tiraspol-Cricova-Tiraspol (please see prices above).
Information: price for the package: transfer Chisinau-Cricova-Chisinau + excursion (there are 2 types of excursions without wine tasting at your choice) is 10 euro less than the package Tiraspol-Cricova-Tiraspol (please see prices above).
