Cricova

Area Moldovan town famed for extensive underground wine cellars

Town north of Chișinău famed for extensive underground wine cellars; Cricova offers guided tasting tours through miles of vaulted storage tunnels and bottling galleries.

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Cricova is a town in Moldova notable for the extensive underground wine cellars associated with the local winery. The cellars are a major local attraction and a centre for wine production and storage.

The underground galleries originated from limestone quarrying and were progressively repurposed for wine storage and maturation. During the 20th century the cellars were expanded and developed into a structured commercial winery and tourist attraction.

Cricova lies within the Chișinău municipality in central Moldova, a short drive north of the capital city of Chișinău.

  • Proximity to Chișinău: Located just north of Chișinău, it is principally known for its large underground wine cellars and public cellar tours.
  • Cellar environment: The underground galleries maintain steady cool temperatures year-round and accommodate large commercial wine storage and vintage collections.

What to See #

  • Underground wine cellars: An extensive underground network of limestone galleries used for wine storage, display and cellar tours stretching for many kilometres and hosting aging and bottled wine collections.
  • Tasting rooms and museum: Above-ground facilities that include tasting rooms and museum displays where visitors sample wines and learn about local production methods.
Cricova
Strada Târgului 10, Cricova, Chișinău Municipality, Moldova
47.1330, 28.8500
Cellar tours typically daily; tour times vary-check website for booking information

How to Get to Cricova #

Cricova village is about 15-20 km north of central Chișinău. Visitors can reach Cricova by car or taxi from Chișinău (roughly 20-30 minutes depending on traffic); organized tours and transfers from the city are common.

Tips for Visiting Cricova #

  • Book winery tours in advance-Cricova's underground tours are popular and sometimes fill up, particularly in summer and around holidays.
  • Ask for a guided tasting to understand the cellars' method; the staff often provide the most informative context on production and aging.
  • Prepare for cool underground temperatures; a light jacket is useful on cellar tours.

Best Time to Visit Cricova #

Cricova is a renowned winery near Chișinău famous for its extensive underground cellars (over 120 km of galleries) and sparkling wines; best visited in spring or autumn for comfortable touring conditions.

Spring and autumn
April-June, September-October · 5-20°C
Pleasant weather for combining cellar visits with countryside drives; vineyards and roads are easier in these months.
Winter (cold, atmospheric)
December-February · -5-5°C
Cellar visits are atmospheric in winter-underground temperatures remain cool and stable, and aboveground is often snowy.

Weather & Climate near Cricova #

Climate

Cricova's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (550 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 54 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
AugustJulyJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
40°
Warmest Month
-31°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-6°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.8h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-5°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

36 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.1h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Low
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
15°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
13.5h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

55 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
14.9h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. The wettest month with 75 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 24°
60%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.7h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° 26°
56%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.3h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).

85 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 26°
52%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
14.1h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. The driest month with just 29 mm and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
15°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

29 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.2h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-3°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

38 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.3h daylight

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