Diana Moraru
Architect of Indo –
Moldovan Collaborations
The story of wine in Moldova begins long before
modern maps or trade routes. It begins in the
soil, in the sun, in the gentle hills that cradle vines
older than memory. Moldova is not just a
wine-producing country – it is a wine country,
where every bottle is a story, every cellar a
cathedral of taste.
For five thousand years, Moldovans have
harvested grapes with the same reverence as one
might write poetry – season after season, vintage
after vintage, a dialogue between land and
people.
Here, wine is not just a drink. It is a ritual at family
tables, a companion to song, a keeper of stories
passed from grandparents to grandchildren.
Local grape varieties (like Rară Neagră, Feteasca
Regală, Viorica) have been cultivated alongside
classics from Europe.
Moldova’s vineyards have endured wars,
changing borders, and forgotten centuries, yet
they have always returned, stronger and more
expressive Today, Moldova is writing a new
chapter: modern cellars, award-winning wines
and a growing place on the world wine map. And
now, this story is crossing continents.
A Land Shaped by Wine
In this small country in Europe, every road seems
to lead to a vineyard. Moldova has over 112,000
hectares of vineyards – the highest density of
vines in the world. With over 50 indigenous grape
varieties, alongside international classics, it is a
treasure trove for explorers of taste.
And then there are the cellars. Moldova is home
to the largest wine collection in the world –
Mileștii Mici, with nearly 2 million bottles stored in
200 kilometers of underground galleries. Cricova,
another subterranean wonder, stretches for 120
kilometers and holds wines belonging to world
leaders and royalty
Moldovan wines already travel to over 70
countries, winning awards at prestigious
competitions from London to Tokyo. Yet, for
India, this is a new frontier – a chance to be
among the first in Asia to discover the depth and
diversity of this ancient wine culture.
Four Voices of a
Nation’s Soul
Every bottle of wine is a
voice, and Moldova has
many. But four of them
are preparing to speak
directly to India for the
very first time.
Cricova is a world beneath the earth. An
underground city of wine, where sparkling wines
are born in silence and cool stone. Its cellars hold
treasures that have been guarded since World
War II, including bottles rescued from Berlin.
Purcari Wineries tells a story of nobility and
resilience. Founded in 1827, Purcari was the first
winery in Moldova to receive royal approval. Its
legendary Negru de Purcari once delighted
Queen Victoria and Nicholas II of Russia, and
today it continues to win international gold
medals.
Novak Winery is the young rebel with an old
soul. Novak is reviving grapes nearly lost to
history – such as Alb de Onițcani, an indigenous
variety unique to Moldova – offering Indian wine
lovers the chance to taste something found
nowhere else in the world.
And then there are the cellars. Moldova is home
to the largest wine collection in the world –
Mileștii Mici, with nearly 2 million bottles stored in
200 kilometers of underground galleries. Cricova,
another subterranean wonder, stretches for 120
kilometers and holds wines belonging to world
leaders and royalty
The Journey to Mumbai
Indian wine lovers will have the chance to
experience this world of flavors and heritage
firsthand. Cricova, Purcari, Novak and ExpertVin
are coming together at ProWine Mumbai, on 31st
October and 1st November 2025. This is more
than a tasting, it is a cultural meeting. Indian
consumers will taste sparkling wines born
underground, heritage reds that once won
medals in Paris, rediscovered native grapes given
new life and fresh, vibrant blends designed for
modern palates.
Imagine: a crisp glass of Cricova’s sparkling to
start the evening, followed by the velvet
complexity of Purcari’s Negru de Purcari. Then, a
Novak white made from a grape you’ve never
heard of but will never forget, and finally, a warm,
easy red from ExpertVin, the kind that turns
strangers into friends.
Wine, at its heart, is about connection. It
connects us to the land, to the people who tend
the vines, to each other across tables and borders.
Moldova’s story is one of resilience, revival and
pride and now, it seeks to connect with India’s
vibrant community of wine lovers.
A Toast to New Journeys
Moldova has long been a hidden treasure of
European winemaking. Now, its doors are
opening wide. To the curious, to the explorers, to
those who want to taste history and future in a
glass- Moldovan wines are an invitation.
So when you raise a glass at ProWine Mumbai,
know that you are not just tasting wine. You are
tasting a legend alive, a tradition reborn and the
beginning of a friendship between two cultures.
Here’s to Moldova, here’s to Mumbai, and here’s
to the stories waiting in every sip.
