Moldova is home to the world’s largest wine collection, housed in the underground tunnels of Milestii Mici. The cellar boasts around 1.5 million bottles of wine in its “Golden Collection,” with some of the oldest wines dating back to 1969. The collection features a variety of wines, including “Pinot,” “Traminer,” “Muscat,” and many more, each with its own unique flavor notes. Milestii Mici’s wines are not only enjoyed by visitors to the tunnels but are also exported to countries all around the world, such as Japan, the United States, and Malaysia.
The underground tunnels of Milestii Mici were originally created through the excavation of limestone blocks to build the city of Chișinău, Moldova’s capital, and were later repurposed into a wine cellar in 1969. The tunnels provide an ideal environment for wine storage, with a constant temperature around the mid-50s and high humidity levels. The wines in the cellar are stored in massive oak barrels, with the oldest dating back to 1986. The collection includes a variety of wines, from high-quality vintages to table wines and sparkling wines.
Milestii Mici is a popular tourist attraction in Moldova, with around 20,000 visitors exploring the underground wine cellar each year. The cellar consists of 200 kilometers of underground galleries that can be navigated by electric train, car, or bike. Guests can take a ride through the tunnels, surrounded by the massive wine collection, while passing through galleries named after the different types of wine stored there. After exploring the underground galleries and admiring the “Golden Collection,” visitors have the opportunity to sample the wines and enjoy a meal in the tasting halls of Milestii Mici.
Despite the vast size of Milestii Mici’s wine collection, it is meticulously organized with wines categorized by type and vintage throughout the underground tunnels. The cellars are a testament to Moldova’s rich winemaking history and provide a unique experience for wine enthusiasts and tourists alike. The wines stored at Milestii Mici are not only a source of national pride for Moldova but also serve as a connection to the country’s cultural heritage and traditions. Whether enjoying a glass of wine in the tasting halls or exploring the underground galleries, visitors to Milestii Mici are sure to be immersed in the rich history and flavors of Moldova’s winemaking industry.
