REPUBLIC of MOLDOVA an emerging wine tourism destination

Veronika Raetchi-Tomescu
JV Chateau Vartely Ltd; National Vine and Wine Office; National Center for Promotion of the Wine Tourism of Moldova; National Inbound Tourism Association of Moldova / Moldova Holiday

The history of Wine of Moldova starts in 3000 BC, while the first vines were recorded here 7000 years BC. Wine used to be utilized as a medium of exchange and a trophy awarded after fights, which has made the wine a national product of Moldova.

Moldovan Wine appreciated by consumers in both the east and the west

Moldovan Wine is kept in the largest cellars in the world

Moldovas underground cellars are legendary by their big wine collections which are recognized by the Guinness Book, mysterious by the distance of the underground routes, glorious by the names of the well-known personalities who visited them, and authentic by their presence in the household of every Moldovan.

MILETII MICI
The wine collection from Guinness Book

Distance from the capital: 18 km (30 min) www.milestii-mici.md Open days/hours: MON-SAT, 10:00-17:00 Access with public transportation: NO Advance booking: mandatory Visitors/year: 19 000 Tours guided in languages: Romanian, Russian, English, French Guided excursion from: 11.11 EUR Guided excursion + wine tasting from: 13.88 EUR Extra payment for week-end and after-hours visits : yes Lunch/dinner from: 22.22 EUR

CRICOVA
The underground city

Distance from the capital: 13 km (20 min) www.cricova.md Open days/hours: MON-SAT, 10:00-15:00 Access with public transportation: yes Advance booking: mandatory Visitors/year: 25 000 Tours guided in languages: Romanian, Russian, English, French Guided excursion from: 13.88 EUR Guided excursion + wine tasting from: 19.44 EUR Extra payment for week-end and after-hours visits : yes Lunch/dinner from: 35 EUR

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CHATEAU VARTELY
Wine. Culture and Leisure Resort

Distance from the capital: 50 km (60 min) Open days/hours: MON-SUN, 10:00-23:00 Access with public transportation: yes Visitors/year 10 000 Tours guided in languages: Romanian, Russian, English Guided excursion from: 4.20 EUR Guided excursion + wine tasting from: 5.50 EUR Extra payment for week-end and after-hours visits : no

www.vartely.md Advance booking: not mandatory

Lunch/dinner from: 13.50 EUR DBL rooms from: 75 EUR

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PURCARI WINERY

Distance from the capital: 120 km (110 min) Open days/hours: MON-SUN, 10:00-15:00 Access with public transportation: no Visitors/year: 8 000 Tours guided in languages: Romanian, Russian, English Guided excursion from: 9.00 EUR Guided excursion + wine tasting from: 9.00 EUR Extra payment for week-end and after-hours visits : no

www.purcari.md Advance booking: not mandatory

Lunch/dinner from: 20 EUR DBL rooms from: 70 EUR

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MIGDAL P Chateau Cojuna

Distance from the capital: 17 km (20 min) Open days/hours: reservations based only Access with public transportation: yes Visitors/year: no data available Tours guided in languages: Romanian, Russian, English Guided excursion from: not available Guided excursion + wine tasting from: 9.40 EUR Extra payment for week-end and after-hours visits : yes

www.migdal.md Advance booking: mandatory

Lunch/dinner from: 30.00 EUR

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BRANESTI CELLARS

Distance from the capital: 45 km (50 min) Open days/hours: reservations based only Access with public transportation: yes Visitors/year: no data available Tours guided in languages: Romanian, Russian Guided excursion from: 5.5 EUR Guided excursion + wine tasting from: 17.50 EUR Extra payment for week-end and after-hours visits : yes

Advance booking: mandatory

Lunch/dinner from: 10.00 EUR

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ETCETERA WINERY

Distance from the capital: 130 km (120 min) Open days/hours: reservations based only Access with public transportation: no Visitors/year: no data available Tours guided in languages: Romanian, Russian, English Guided excursion from: not available Guided excursion + wine tasting from: 10.00 EUR Extra payment for week-end and after-hours visits : no

www.etcetera.md Advance booking: mandatory

Lunch/dinner from: 20.00 EUR

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KVINT DISTILLERY & WINERY

Distance from the capital: 80 km (90 min) + border crossing Open days/hours: reservations based only Access with public transportation: yes Visitors/year: no data available Tours guided in languages: Russian, Guided excursion from: not available Guided excursion + wine tasting from: 23.00 EUR Extra payment for week-end and after-hours visits : yes

Advance booking: mandatory

Lunch/dinner from: not available

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TRADITIONAL MOLDOVAN CELLAR

combined with MOUTH WATERING CUISINE

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CHURCH WINE

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WINE EVENTS & EDUCATION in Chisinau

Wine festival in Moldova NATIONAL WINE DAY! Wine & Gastronomy Theater Spring & Autumn Wine Presentation Wine School and regular wine tastings and presentations in local restaurant or wine bars
Wine themed teamed team-building programs Master class in handcrafting (pottery, woven of twigs, Easter egg decoration) Traditional food cooking classes Express dance classes on local folk dances The open doors weekends (free access to any visitor) Student group visits for 1 day practice

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TRAVEL JOURNALIST REVIEWS & STORIES

I am working on a Moldovan wine story ... based on the incredibly low visitor numbers and all the wonderful reasons for visiting Travel Journalist - USA Between the old guard like Cricova, Chateau Vartely and Purcari, and the new hotness wineries like Et Cetera, rewarding tastings and tours are staged year-round. Journalist - Huffington Post
Gold Medals- IX Concours Professionel International des Vins, Chardonnay du Monde, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, Munsus Vini, Bucharest Wine Salon, Gran Menzione Award : Vinitaly, Les Vinalies Internationales

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TRAVEL JOURNALIST REVIEWS & STORIES

Moldova is rapidly becoming a prime time wine destination. .. get there before everyone else does" Travel writer - USA My highlight. sampling homemade wine straight from the press in a country that's still so unaffected by tourism. Tour Operator - UK

The wine situation in Moldova is going to be huge in certain circles. Travel writer - USA

Wine tourism is one of the most great advantage of Moldova, Tour Operator - Ukraine

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MOLDOVAN WINE TOURISM in the NEWS 2013

Emerging from Cricova's cave complex after more than two hours underground . I look around at my companions, and there's not one of us who isn't duly impressed. Like most Disney theme rides, our spin on Wine Mountain has left us weak-kneed, mildly giddy and severely tempted to circle back to the end of the line for another go. Might as well, while the line is still short. TSan Francisco Chronicle

Europes next wine destination?" Moldova America On Line, Travel.

A taste of fine wine and fresh country Moldova Travel the World.

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VISITOR ASSESMENT

Wineries 4.42 88%

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THANK YOU! ANY QUESTIONS? Veronika Raetchi-Tomescu veronika.raetchi@gmail.com

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