Moldova's Wineries for National Wine Day: Where to Go
A selection of Moldovan wineries for National Wine Day — from Comrat to Orhei and Chișinău, with tastings and cellars.
National Wine Day in Chișinău means tents in the square in front of the Cathedral, tastings right on the street, and a reason to remember that the best Moldovan wines are actually born not in the city center, but in vineyards across the country. If the celebration in the square has already ended, now is the perfect time to visit the wineries themselves and see how this wine is made. We've put together a selection of places from different regions — from the south to Orhei.
South: Comrat and surroundings
Gagauzia is one of the country's main wine regions, and here two places in particular stand out.
Gitana Winery in Plop operates on the site of the former "Tsiganka" factory, which the Dulgher family bought back in a ruined state. The main value has remained untouched — underground cellars with a constant temperature, ideal for storing wine. There's a wine bar and an open terrace here, and visits can be booked in advance.
Basavin Winery in Basarabeasca manages vineyards in several neighboring regions at once — Abaclia, Baskalia, Cimișlia, Ciok-Maidan, and Izerlia. "BASAVIN" wines are made using the "Vendange Manuelle" technology — grapes are harvested by hand, selecting only ripe and healthy clusters. The format suits both couples and groups, with parking and a wine bar on site.
Căușeni: family winemaking in its fourth generation
GOGU Winery is a story that began long before the brand's official registration. Ilie Gogu, a hereditary winemaker, registered the "Gogu Winery" trademark in 2014, but his family's business is already considered to span four generations. Today wine is made here in small batches, and guests are welcomed for outdoor tastings.
Cahul: vineyards of the Bugeac Plain
The southern region around Cahul is its own winemaking geography.
Vinaria din Vale in Slobozia Mare is a family business that has been operating for more than twenty years. Hundreds of people take part in the harvest here: this is one of the most picturesque wine districts in the south of the country. Besides tastings, the winery offers tours not only of its own grounds but also of the surrounding area — a good option for a weekend trip for couples or groups.
Vinia Traian in Găvănoasa was founded back in 1975 on the slopes of the Bugeac Plain, along Trajan's Wall — a place considered the cradle of local winemaking with a centuries-old tradition. The tour here is usually paired with a tasting of local cheeses.
KaraGani Winery in Vulcănești is a small family winery with its own restaurant and veranda. Here you can not only taste wine but also stay for lunch: the menu features Moldovan cuisine, and the venue is designed for both couples and families with children.
Orhei: underground cellars and wine tourism
Cramele Brănești is one of the country's most extensive wineries in terms of infrastructure: 75 kilometers of underground cellars, laid out beneath the ground near the historical landmarks "Stone Age" and "Brănești Cellars." Wine tours are held here, and the winery has its own hotel — convenient for those who want to extend their visit beyond a single day and come with family or a group.
Chișinău: wine in the heart of the city
If you don't feel like leaving the city at all, but the festive mood from Wine Day at the Cathedral has stayed with you, you can stay in Chișinău. Invino on Mitropolit Gavriil Bănulescu-Bodoni street is Moldova's first author's wine library, whose collection was put together by a professional sommelier. The shelves hold more than 250 Moldovan wine labels, and the cellars have over 10,000 bottles laid down for storage. The format is more of an evening, romantic one — suitable for a couple or even a solo visit after a walk through the center.
If you'd like a selection specifically for the city, check out wineries with a wine bar in Chișinău — a collection of places convenient to drop into without leaving the capital.
What to choose
If you want underground cellars and scale — head to Orhei, to Cramele Brănești. If a family winemaking story matters to you — Căușeni and GOGU Winery. For a southern wine route over the weekend, Comrat and Cahul with several stops at once are a great fit. And if the celebration at the Cathedral has already happened and there's nowhere further to go — the Invino wine library, just steps from the center, will settle the matter that same evening.
For the full list of Moldova's wineries — with addresses, receipts, and tags across all regions — see the winery catalog.
