Explore Moldovan Wine Regions

Numerous legends and anecdotes testify to the ancient wine-growing tradition. One of the most famous stories is that of the storks.

The stork as a symbol of luck

Once again there was a Turkish invasion; the enemy besieged a fortress near Grodieshti. The brave defenders ran out of water and food, and the strength of the fighters was slowly running out. Suddenly hundreds of storks appeared in the sky, which with the help of the wind and their strong wing beats drove the enemy back. The storks dropped bunches of grapes from their beaks down to the defenders. The warriors were saved from thirst and hunger. The domestic fortress was successfully defended with new strength, and the Turkish enemy had to withdraw.

Since then, the stork has been a symbol of happiness and contentment. The stork with grapes symbolizes Moldavian viticulture and is included in the logo of the national wine brand Wine of Moldova. The Moldova wine country has more than 100,000 hectares of vineyards and is divided into three historical wine regions.

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Moldovan Wine Regions

Codru

One of the largest and most important regions lies in the hilly country of central Moldova: Codru. In the middle of this is the capital Chișinău. The vineyard area of this labyrinthine landscape is very fragmented. The vineyards are partly on hills, partly in river valleys. The climate is continental warm. However, the many oak and linden forests ensure a moderate microclimate. White wines in particular thrive on the light, skeleton-rich soils. The main varieties are Aligoté, Rkatsiteli, Sauvignon Blanc, and Merlot as well as Saperavi, a legacy of the Soviet era. Also worth seeing are the shell limestone tunnels in the small town of Cricova (north of the capital).

Stefan Voda

The area around the city of the same name in south-eastern Moldova wine country is the warmest zone. It is largely flat. The black earth soils are rich in humus, and the climate is warm and influenced by the nearby Black Sea. The winegrowing region Stefan Voda is an absolute red wine region. Typical wines are made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Saperavi and the local Rară Neagră (Băbească Neagră). In the terrace vineyards around the village of Purcari comes Negru de Purcari, the most famous red wine in the zone. In the other vineyards, there are also Feteasca Neagra and Pinot Noir as well as the Chardonnay grape variety.

Val lui Traian

The best red wine grapes for the best wines of Moldova thrive on the south-western border with Romania. The soil is rocky and light, and the yields are low. The area consists of steppes, plateaus, and forested hills, and Valul lui Traian is divided into the sub-zones Bugeac Plain, Pruth Terraces, and Tigheci. Much Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Feteasca Neagra are grown here.

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