Day 2: Cricova winery – the pearl of Moldovan wine-making
In the morning, you will set off on a time travel to Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei) to see a natural amphitheater revealing a territory which was first inhabited 40 000 years ago. The Cultural, Natural and Landscape Reserve Orheiul Vechi includes a series of historical and cultural monuments as well as natural landscapes in the gorge of the Raut River. Ancient fortifications, cave monasteries, monks and hermits – here you can follow the history of this region. The originality of Orheiul Vechi landscape is due to the gorge of the Raut River, dug under the form of a canyon in the limestone layers of the former Sarmatian Sea, about 14 million years ago.
After visiting Orheiul Vechi, you will travel to Butuceni village where you will experience the Moldovan winter during the sledge ride through the village.
After the sledge ride, you will learn how to prepare traditional Moldovan dishes during a culinary masterclass, which will be served at lunch together with other traditional specialties at a local guesthouse.
After lunch, you will enjoy the day at Cricova winery – the only wine enterprise that was awarded the highest state prize “The Order of the Republic” and has been declared by law a national cultural heritage. During the excursion at Cricova winery in the tourist train, at a depth of 80 m, you will discover the wonders of this place. Cricova underground galleries are formed by over seventy streets covering an area of nearly 120 km, each bearing Bacchic names: Sauvignon, Cabernet, Cahors, etc. The jewel of the underground treasure is the National Collection, including over 600 types of wine totaling about 1 million bottles. Here you will admire the oldest bottle of wine - "Jewish Easter Wine", dating from 1902, discover the tastes of Cricova wines.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Cultural, Natural and Landscape Reserve Orheiul Vechi,
Butuceni guesthouse,
Cricova winery