In Ștefan Vodă District, a long wine tradition meets wetlands and geological natural monuments. The Ștefan Vodă geographical wine region covers approximately 10,000 hectares. The natural areas also vary considerably in size, from small monument sites to a large wetland complex. The history of winegrowing and opportunities to observe nature offer different ways to experience the destination.

A long history of winegrowing

The history of Château Purcari began in 1827, when the winery was founded by imperial decree as the first specialized winery in Bessarabia. Today, Château Purcari offers tours of its historic wine cellar and tastings of outstanding Moldovan wines such as Negru de Purcari and Alb de Purcari. Wines produced in the Ștefan Vodă geographical wine region have been known beyond Moldova since the 19th century. The wine region’s distinctive microclimate favors red grape varieties such as the local Rara Neagră, Saperavi, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

At Etcetera, the express tour combines a guided visit with a tasting of three wines and a selection of pâtés. It is intended for groups of four or more; package details may change, so confirm them before booking. Plăcinta Miresei and dishes made with produce from the winery’s garden are also available, including rabbit with potatoes, rabbit liver pâté and various vegetable dishes. The food menu may also change; check it before your visit. In October, visitors may be able to take part in the traditional harvest, picking grapes and stomping them with their feet. If you plan this seasonal experience, confirm before booking whether it will take place again that year.

Wetlands and geological formations

Lunca Talmaza is a 1,886-hectare wetland complex featuring forests, meadows, a lake, bends in the old riverbed, canals, ponds and marshes. Here, you can observe and photograph the landscape, typical floodplain forests, and rare plants, animals and birds. The old riverbed Nistrul Chior, also called Nistrul Orb, is another striking natural feature: it is about 42 kilometers long and the country’s largest natural water basin.

Other natural monuments each have their own distinction. Râpa de Piatră in Tudora is a two-hectare geo-paleontological natural monument; Râpa lui Albu lies on the southern edge of Cioburciu and is a geological and paleontological natural monument. Mlaștina Togai is a mixed nature reserve northeast of Crocmaz and covers 51.2 hectares. The range extends from individual geological formations to extensive wetlands.

Local history and outdoor trails

The Ethnographic Museum of Crocmaz was founded in 1986. It works to preserve and promote local history, traditions and customs passed down through generations. The “Nistrul de Jos” National Park offers opportunities for ecotourism, agrotourism, wine routes and sports tourism. The ecotourism trail in Purcari features birdwatching points, rest areas and information boards about ecosystems typical of the region and protected flora and fauna. Trail infrastructure may change; check locally.

You can explore the Ștefan Vodă wine region by bicycle along the Chișinău–Palanca cycling route. The route uses local roads and paths away from national highways. Bicycle symbols, arrows, posts and information boards marked C1 help you find your way; markings may change, so check them locally. Bicycles can be rented for the entire route or for individual sections. Rentals are also available at participating guesthouses and wineries; confirm availability before your trip.

Discover more destinations

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