P u r c a r i H i s t o r y

Moldova – The grape country Moldova is located in southeastern Europe, between Ukraine and Romania, in the Black Sea area, where the vine originates. Already the shape of Moldova on the map resembles a bunch of grapes. Its picturesque landscape is characterized by soft green hills, sunny plateaus and small streams that flow into the two major rivers Prut and Dniester. Moldova has a temperate-continental climate, softened by the nearby Black Sea. Located at latitude 46-47˚, as well as other famous wine regions in Europe, the soils of southern Moldova are particularly well suited for the production of high quality red wine, while in the heart of the country predominantly white wine is grown.

Moldova has 112,000 hectares of vineyards with over 50 different grape varieties. There are three historic wine regions: Valul lui Traian (in the southwest), Stefan Voda (in the southeast) and Codru (in the middle), which, with their favorable geological and climatic conditions, are ideal for wine production.

Winemaker generations

The wine history of Moldova begins 3000 years BC, while the first wines in the region was

already 7000 years BC reported. Earlier, wine was used as a medium of exchange and presented as a trophy after fighting, which has made it a national product of the Republic of Moldova.

Outstanding personalities of the Moldavian viticulture

Dimitrie Cantemir  (1673-1723) – Ruler of the Republic of Moldova, philosopher, encyclopedist

Tsar Alexander II of Russia (1855 – 1881).

Constantin Mimi (1868 – 1935) – Governor of Bessarabia, winemaker.

Petru Ungurean (1894-1975) – Scientist, oenologist and founder of the Scientific Oenological School.

Moldova is also affectionately known as “grape land” – not only because the shape of its map resembles that of a grape, but also because wine-making is deeply rooted in the history and tradition of the country. Fossils of grape leaves found near the village of Naslavcia in northern Moldova suggest, that grapes grew in Moldova about 6 to 25 million years ago and that wine production in the area between the rivers Nistru and Prut already 4000 – 5000 years ago began.

What gives Moldavian wine its special character and taste? It is the uniquely fertile soil conditions that provide a wide range of interesting wines. The soil is the most important natural resource of the Republic of Moldova. One hectare of agricultural land has one of the highest monetary values in Europe. The high-quality Moldovan soils can be compared to the richest soils in the world, for example in the Krasnodar region in Russia and in the Nappa Valley in the USA.