Best Wineries Near Chișinău: How to Choose the Right One

If you’re visiting Chișinău, one of the best things you can do is leave it for a day. Some of Moldova’s most important wineries are located within a short driving distance of the capital, and each of them offers a very different kind of experience. The challenge is not finding a winery - it’s choosing the right one for your style of travel.As someone who lives here, I usually don’t recommend “the best winery.” I recommend the one that fits you.

Not all wineries near Chișinău offer the same thing. Before choosing, it helps to understand the main differences.

These are the most famous and the most visited.

The wineries Cricova and Mileștii Mici are known for their vast underground networks of tunnels, where wine is stored and aged. The experience is structured: guided tours, organized tastings, and a clear route through the cellars.

I usually recommend these if:

it’s your first time in Moldova
you want something iconic and easy to understand
you’re short on time and want a “complete” experience.

From a practical point of view, both wineries work in a similar way. You need to book in advance – don’t just show up. It’s best to check their available packages online first, then call and make a reservation.

Getting there is relatively easy. The simplest option is by taxi (Bolt or Letz), which usually costs around 8–9€ one way, depending on the day and demand.

If you prefer public transport, it’s possible but slightly less convenient.

For Cricova, you can take bus number 2 from the Vasile Alecsandri street stop (Google Maps works well for directions).
For Mileștii Mici, there are minibuses from the Central Bus Station.

In both cases, you’ll still need to walk a bit from the final stop to the winery.

Cricova Winery

Mileștii Mici Winery

Photo credit: ANTRIM.md

These are a bit more refined and curated – something closer to a full experience, not just a winery visit.

Mimi Castle is the best-known example. Here, it’s not only about wine, but about the setting, the design, and the overall atmosphere. It feels more polished, more intentional, and yes – more “fancy” compared to the underground wineries.

Getting there is also manageable. You can take a taxi from Chișinău, or use public transport. From the Central Bus Station, take a minibus heading towards Bulboaca village – it’s about one hour away. From the village, you’ll need a short walk to reach the winery.

Château Vartely is another very good example of this type. It’s a full wine estate, with vineyards, restaurant, and accommodation, designed to offer a complete experience rather than just a visit. You can come here not only for a tasting, but for a longer, more relaxed stay where wine, food, and setting all matter equally.

Take a minibus from the Central Bus Station towards Orhei. From there, you’ll need a short taxi ride or walk to reach the winery.

What makes this type of place different is that you can easily spend several hours here without feeling rushed. Beyond the classic tour and tasting, you can have a proper meal in a well-designed setting, enjoy the terraces, and now even access spa facilities, which adds a completely different layer to the visit.

I usually recommend this type if:

you want something more special, not just informative
you’re traveling as a couple or for a relaxed day out
you enjoy combining wine with food, comfort, and atmosphere.

These are less standardized and often more personal.

You may not find large-scale infrastructure, but you get something else: direct contact, more flexible tastings, and a stronger sense of place.

Wineries like Asconi are a good example of this type—more relaxed, more traditional, and focused on atmosphere and food as much as wine.

Château Cojușna can also fit here in a broader sense, although it feels more structured and less “intimate” than typical boutique wineries. It’s a middle-ground option: more organized than small wineries, but less crowded and more relaxed than the big underground ones.

Getting there is relatively straightforward. The easiest and most reliable option is by taxi (Bolt or Letz), which usually costs around 8–9€ one way. For most visitors, this is the most comfortable choice and saves time.

Public transport is also possible, but requires a bit more attention.
For Asconi, you need to take a minibus (rutieră) from the Central Bus Station heading towards Puhoi village. For Château Cojușna, you can use a similar option-take a rutieră from the Central Bus Station in that direction.

Asconi Winery

Chateau Cojușna

If you want the classic underground cellars and Moldova’s most iconic wine experience, start with Cricova or Mileștii Mici.

If atmosphere, architecture and a slower, more refined day appeal to you, Castel Mimi or Château Vartely may suit you better.

If you prefer something more personal, relaxed and closer to local wine culture, smaller wineries such as Asconi can be a rewarding alternative.

The good news is that there isn’t one “right” winery near Chișinău – only the one that fits the kind of experience you want.

And that is what makes wine travel in Moldova interesting: within a short distance from the capital, you can choose between very different expressions of the country – monumental, elegant, rural or intimate.

For first-time visitors, I often suggest not asking Which is the best winery? but rather What kind of wine day do I want to have?

That usually leads to a better choice.

Planning to visit more than one winery? Explore our guide to Moldova’s wine regions, day trips from Chișinău, and curated winery recommendations to help build the right itinerary for your trip.

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