UNDERGROUND GALLERIES
The wineries from Cricova are truly unsurpassed in the world. Here history, archeology and the art of winemaking united in a whole formed a real Underground City.
Currently, the wine town covers an area of 53 hectares, and the underground galleries, transformed into streets, have a total length of 120 kilometers. The depth at which the labyrinths are located can even reach 80 meters, depending on the relief.
As in a real city, here you can find streets, traffic lights and road signs. It’s just that the labyrinthine roads have more unusual names such as: “Cabernet”, “Dionis”, “Feteasca”, “Aligote”, “Sauvignon”, thus, each individual street corresponds to the name of the wine that is kept in the adjacent niches. During the whole year, the temperature in the underground galleries remains constant, around +12…+14° C, while the relative air humidity is around 97-98%. Precisely because of these natural conditions, it is possible to preserve and mature high-quality wines, as well as classic sparkling wine, with the formation of their authentic character.
In fact, the famous cellars appeared as a result of the extractive activity in these places, thus, from the very beginning the basements were stone mines. Many buildings in Cricova, Chisinau, Bălţi and other cities in Moldova were built specifically from the limestone extracted from here. Limestone is still being mined in some arms of the galleries, so this huge underground city continues to grow!
COLECȚIA NAȚIONALĂ
Cricova cellars house a remarkable collection of wines – Oenoteca, which has its beginnings in 1954. The collection counts almost 1.3 million bottles of wine, each with exceptional qualities and an extraordinary history. The unrepeatable specimens have been collected over the years from different corners of the world, all together they represent the precious treasure of both the compound and the country.
The pearl of the collection is the red dessert wine “Jerusalim de Paști”. It is the only specimen in the world that has been preserved from the 400 bottles bottled in 1902. Another unique copy is a liqueur, also produced in 1902, in the Czech Republic. We are talking about the Jan Becher liqueur, which is based on 27 medicinal herbs and is still produced today.
The most valuable collection of Oenotics is that of the high Nazi dignitary and commander of the Hitlerite aviation, Hermann Göring. It includes about two thousand elite wines such as: Mosel, Bordeaux, Porto, Tokay, Chablis. All specimens were produced from the grape harvest of the 1940s. These wines were captured by Göring from the countries controlled by the Germans. After the war as a military trophy, the wines were taken by the Soviet soldiers first to Moscow and almost all of them were drunk. The remains of the collection can be found in Cricova.
The National Collection is constantly supplemented with new samples, both through exchanges with other wine collections, as well as through acquisitions made from abroad, as well as from the account of elite wines given as a gift to the Combine. However, the pride of Oenotecia is primarily the “Cricova” brand wines, awarded with medals and diplomas at the most prestigious international competitions.
TASTING ROOMS
The uniqueness of the Underground Complex is ensured by five large, spacious and imposing halls, in which the elements of classical architecture are interwoven with modern ornaments. The halls are decorated with stained glass windows, tapestries, wooden sculptures, carved by the most skilled folk craftsmen from Moldova, which represent true works of art.
"European Hall"
"Bottom of the Sea" tasting room"
"Presidential Hall"
"Fireplace Room"
"Big house"
Bolta Cerească
Inspirați de marile cuceriri ale universului, a fost creeată sala de degustare cosmică, unică, cu o capacitate de 60 de locuri. Tavanul sălii reflectă cerul de deasupra cramelor Cricova, iar jocul luminilor stelare și imaginea apusului de vară creează o oază de relaxare inedită. Paradoxal, la o adâncime de 80 metri Cricova a reușit să aprindă stelele pe cer.
MUSEUM
The Underground City hosts a museum where unique exhibits from all times have been collected, which describe in detail the history of winemaking. In the Cricova museum, there is an imprint of a vine that was discovered in the village of Naslavcea. This imprint dates back approximately to the 5th century BC and comes once again to confirm that wine has been produced in Moldova since ancient times.
At the same time, several machines used in viticulture and winemaking were collected in the museum. Here you can find two wooden presses from Greece and the Roman Empire. In the same way, a traditional Moldavian winepress from the 19th century has been preserved, which can still be found in some villages in our country. Another exhibit that can be found in some Moldovan households and in the Cricova museum is a crusher, used to ferment grapes. Clay amphorae, jugs, wine troughs, a barrel cart – these are other exhibits that can be admired at our museum.
CINEMA
In a first for the Republic of Moldova, Cricova inaugurated a stone cinema. Located at a depth of 80 meters, on “Frații Lumière” street, the cinema, which is modern and contemporary, can accommodate 40 people. It was included in the tourist route, so visitors can watch the documentary film describing the history of the “Cricova” Winery. In the same way, various events and public presentations can be organized here. The launch of this project brings an element of originality, distinction and contemporaneity to the rusticity of the cellars.
COMPLEXUL TURISTIC REGATUL VINULUI
Celebrate the important events in your life in a new location! Located at the entrance to the Cricova Wineries, the Wine Kingdom Tourist Complex is an oasis of peace and recreation 11 kilometers from the hustle and bustle of the capital.
The Wine Kingdom Tourist Complex is decorated in an elegant manner, with slight accents of the national style. It is suitable for holding private events, corporate parties, but also for serving meals à la carte.
The menu offers traditional dishes, chef’s specialties, various platters, salads and desserts. The dishes can be associated with the most aromatic wines, sparkling and divine CRICOVA brand!
The complex has 3 rooms:
- White Hall – capacity up to 120 people
- National Hall – capacity up to 30 people
- Room with fireplace – 10 people.
Address: Cricova, Chișinăului Street, 124
Email: regatulvinului@gmail.com
Website: www.cricova.md
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/regatulvinului/
Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/regatul_vinului/