The Underground Wineries of Moldova (Cricova and Mileștii Mici)

The Republic of Moldova boasts a rich and diverse cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, with the tradition of wine production and preservation standing out as one of its most notable aspects. The topographical and climatic conditions of the Republic of Moldova have been ideal for vine cultivation since ancient times. Over the centuries, wine production and preservation technology has evolved and diversified, enriching the country's winemaking tradition. Industrialisation and the expansion of markets profoundly impacted the wine industry in Moldova. Since the 19th century, wineries began to emerge across Bessarabia (a territory between the Prut and Dniester rivers, occupied by the Russian Empire in 1812 and named Bessarabia). By the 20th century, their scale grew significantly, reflecting the growing demand for domestic and international Moldovan wine. The increasing demand from domestic and international markets in the mid- 20th century significantly increased wine production in Moldova. To meet this demand, producers began exploring innovative methods for storing wine, including developing underground cellars and galleries, which provided optimal conditions for wine maturation and preservation.

From a geological perspective, the territory of the Republic of Moldova was once the bottom of the Sarmatian Sea, which existed over 30 million years ago, leaving behind a compact layer of limestone highly suitable for construction. Since the 19th century, limestone extraction for the construction industry has been carried out on a large scale. Initially, galleries were dug using rudimentary methods, without branching, but later, the horizontal mining method, involving galleries and chambers, was introduced. After World War II, the scale of stone extraction grew significantly with the introduction of "Galanin" stone- cutting machines. By the early 1950s, the network of underground galleries near the Ichel River had expanded to reach the city of Chisinau, covering an area of about 50 hectares.

The network of wine galleries garnered significant interest from the leadership of the Soviet Union, notably as Moldova emerged as one of the 15 soviet republics. These galleries became a crucial focus in developing the wine industry, which was seen as a cornerstone of the national economy. As the exploitation of stone reserves concluded, the remaining underground galleries were repurposed as wine cellars. The lack of sufficient storage facilities had previously necessitated storing wine outdoors, leading to economic losses and declining wine quality. This created an urgent need for large, controlled storage spaces. The underground galleries, with their vast dimensions and naturally stable conditions of 10ºС to 14ºС and approximately 90% relative humidity year-round-offered an ideal solution. Moreover, their conversion required minimal capital investment. By 1947, initial experiments in maturing wine in these galleries yielded remarkable results, demonstrating that wines aged in this environment were superior quality, smoother, and more resistant to turbidity. These successful trials strongly justified expanding and continuing this practice, further integrating the galleries into wine production.

In 1951, the Council of Ministers of the Moldavian SSR passed a resolution to repurpose limestone mines for the state wine industry. In 1952, the galleries of the former limestone mine in Cricova were transformed into a sparkling wine factory with an impressive annual production capacity of four million bottles. That same year, barrels of Feteasca, Aligote, and Riesling wines were moved into the underground galleries, followed shortly after that by the storage of small batches of bottled champagne. This year is officially recognised as the founding year of Cricova Winery S.A. (Joint Stock Company). Since 1980, the sparkling wine factory has operated based on the mining activities in Cricova. Today, Cricova Winery S.A. manages an underground sector covering 84.6 hectares, including 32.4 hectares of mining galleries with a total volume of 1,094,700 cubic meters. The gallery widths range from 2.8 to 7.5 meters, and the heights vary from 2.4 meters to 6.0 meters, providing optimal wine production and storage conditions.

Initially shaped by the machinery and technical equipment used during excavation, Cricova's underground galleries were adapted to meet the winemaking enterprise's operational needs. Spanning over 120 kilometres, these expansive galleries transformed Cricova into an underground city, providing the perfect climate for maturing wines, particularly sparkling varieties.

The Cricova Winery Collection was established in 1954, featuring an impressive rich heritage, including the oldest wine bottle from 1902. The wine bottles were initially stored in niches carved into the walls of one of the corridors of the former limestone mine. Over time, as groundwater accumulated in the gallery, it became necessary to relocate the collection. The organisation of the new wine cellar space began in the late 1970s. A modular concrete structure, divided into sections for storing the collection bottles, was chosen for its innovation and functionality. This architectural design was considered one of the most impressive, given its scale and proportions. The uniformity in the modular structure's treatment helped preserve the underground galleries' aesthetic continuity.

The Cricova Wine Collection – the National Wine Cellar – currently holds approximately 1.3 million bottles. Cricova is the first and largest winery in Moldova, renowned for producing sparkling wine using the traditional French method, which involves secondary bottle fermentation and subsequent maturation in a horizontal position for at least 3 years. Thanks to the meticulous expertise passed down through generations of winemaking masters, Cricova has become known for producing some of the finest sparkling wines. Today, the winery produces approximately 2,000,000 bottles of classic sparkling wine annually.

In addition to sparkling wines, Cricova also produces high-quality still wines, using local grape varieties such as Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Neagra, Rara Neagra, Viorica, and internationally recognised grape varieties such as Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Shiraz.

The underground winery itself is a marvel. It houses over 40,000,000 litres of wine in numerous tanks, showcasing its immense production capacity and commitment to excellence.

In 1969, a department for the storage of branded wines was established in Mileștii Mici, based on the galleries of the stone mine on the right bank of the Ișnovăț River, where the exploitation of the deposits had been completed. This department became part of the State Farm-Factory "Moldova." 1973, it was integrated into the Scientific Production Association's "Ialoveni." Since 1989, it has operated as a "Factory for producing branded wines," remaining under the State Enterprise State Farm-Factory "Moldova." 2001, the entity was reorganised into the State Enterprise "Mileștii Mici."The stone extraction in the underground galleries at Mileștii Mici began in 1886. Following World War II, the process was mechanised, significantly increasing the volume of stone extracted and the length of the galleries, extending over 200 km. The underground area covers 97.7 hectares, with mining galleries spanning 15.7 hectares and a total volume of 549.5 thousand cubic meters. Of this, 55 km are currently used for producing and storing wine at depths ranging from 40 to 80 meters. The galleries have a width of 6.5 to 7.5 meters and a height of 3.5 meters, making them the most extensive underground wine storage facilities in Europe.

Meanwhile, both the Cricova and Mileștii Mici wineries have opened tasting rooms, cinemas, and other valuable spaces for tourists within the underground galleries, which are located at a depth of over 50 meters. These underground galleries have been transformed into streets, each named after some famous wines, such as Cabernet, Feteasca, Pinot, Sauvignon, Codru, and others. In the 1990s, a small seismological station was installed in the underground galleries of the "Mileștii Mici" Quality Winery. Over the years, the two underground wineries have become some of the most attractive tourist destinations in the Republic of Moldova. The "Mileștii Mici" Quality Winery is visited annually by over 45,000 tourists from various countries, while in 2019, the number of visitors to the underground complex at Cricova reached nearly 100,000.

In 2003, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova granted the "Cricova Wine Complex" the status of National Cultural Heritage. In 2005, the same designation was extended to the "Mileștii Mici" Quality Winery to ensure a special management regime for preserving these cultural and landscape sites for present and future generations. That same year, the "Mileștii Mici" Golden Collection was recognised by Guinness World Records as the most extensive wine collection in the world, comprising 1.5 million bottles of various types of wine, including dry, liqueur, and sparkling wines. These bottles are stored in niches containing between 150 and 1,500 bottles each. The "Mileștii Mici" Quality Winery produces high-quality sparkling wines using the Charmat method, as well as still wines, using both local grape varieties such as Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Neagră, Viorica, and Riton, and internationally renowned varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling.

Considering the scale of the underground wineries, the innovative organisation of wine storage, and the unique presentation and promotion of viticulture, Cricova and Mileștii Mici have become the most significant and attractive heritage sites in the Republic of Moldova. These wineries represent an exceptional example of industrial heritage adapted to winemaking and tourism, making them worthy of nomination to the World Heritage List.

The underground wineries of Moldova, Cricova and Mileștii Mici, are the most renowned landmarks in the country. These wineries are located within vast underground galleries formed by the industrial extraction of limestone, a sedimentary rock commonly found in Moldova's northern and central regions. Over 30 million years ago, the areas now home to these galleries were covered by the waters of the Tortonian and Sarmatian seas. The geological processes that led to limestone formation were shaped by the extent of these seas over different geological periods. During the Middle Sarmatian, the Sarmatian Sea submerged nearly the entire territory between the Dniester and Prut rivers, creating large limestone deposits. By the Meotian stage, the sea had receded southward, exposing these deposits and making them accessible for extraction.

The compact limestone layer, known for its excellent cleavage, has long been valued as a high-quality construction material. Stone extraction became a significant activity as early as the medieval period. Still, during the 20th century, it expanded to an industrial scale, creating hundreds of kilometres of underground galleries. These extensive underground galleries later became highly attractive to the wine industry due to their naturally controlled environment, ideal for the maturation and storage of wines. The galleries offered exceptional examples of adaptive reuse and structural organisation for winemaking enterprises. Their indoor climatic conditions naturally maintained constant temperature and humidity levels, eliminating the need for thermal insulation or mechanical systems for ventilation. This unique environment contributed to their success as wine maturation and storage facilities.

Situated at considerable depths, the underground galleries exhibit minimal thermal variation between winter and summer. The high and uniform humidity levels (up to 96-98%) create an ideal environment for wine storage, preventing significant evaporation. When wines are stored in barrels, the humidity minimises loss through the wood pores, and when stored in bottles, it reduces evaporation through corks. Additionally, the porous nature of limestone enables it to naturally regulate humidity levels by absorbing or releasing moisture as needed. Ventilation, where necessary, is efficiently maintained using chimneys that rely on natural level differences to circulate air. These combined qualities led to systematically exploiting the galleries, with the first sectors repurposed for wine storage. From the 1950s to now, the wineries at Cricova and Mileștii Mici have evolved into remarkable underground wine cities. They are unique and have the distinction of being the largest of their kind.

Today, the Cricova Winery utilises 32.4 hectares of mining galleries with a total volume of 1,094.7 thousand cubic meters. The width of the galleries ranges from 2.8 meters to 7.5 meters, while the height varies between 2.4 meters and 6.0 meters. The underground galleries at Cricova, stretching over 120 km, have transformed the winery into an underground city with an ideal climate for wine maturation, particularly for sparkling wine. The winery produces 2,000,000 bottles of classic sparkling wine annually. Cricova also produces high-quality still wines using local grape varieties such as Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Neagra, Rara Neagra, and Viorica, and internationally recognised varieties such as Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Shiraz. The underground cellar houses an impressive capacity of over 40,000,000 litres of wine stored in many tanks. This immense storage capacity underscores the scale and significance of Cricova in the global wine industry.

The underground galleries at Cricova, stretching over 120 km, have transformed the winery into an underground city with an ideal climate for wine maturation, particularly sparkling wines. The winery produces 2,000,000 bottles of classic sparkling wine annually. In addition to its sparkling wines, Cricova also produces high-quality still wines, using both local grape varieties such as Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Neagra, Rara Neagra, and Viorica, as well as internationally recognised varieties like Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Shiraz. The underground cellars at Cricova hold over 40,000,000 litres of wine in numerous tanks, further emphasising the scale and significance of the winery.

The underground galleries of Mileștii Mici span over 200 km, with a surface area of 97.7 hectares for the underground sector and 15.7 hectares for the mining galleries, holding a volume of 549.5 thousand cubic meters. Of these, 55 km are currently used for wine production and storage at depths ranging from 40 to 80 meters. The width of the galleries varies between 6.5 and 7.5 meters, with a height of 3.5 meters. In 2005, the "Mileștii Mici" Golden Collection was officially recognised by the Guinness World Records as the most extensive wine collection in the world. Established in the 1980s, the collection's oldest wine dates back to 1973. Today, the Golden Collection houses an impressive 1.5 million bottles of various wine types, including dry, liqueur, and sparkling wines. Each bottle is carefully stored in niches containing between 150 and 1,500 bottles, ensuring optimal preservation conditions.

The underground wineries of Moldova (Cricova and Mileștii Mici) represent an exceptional architectural and technological achievement, showcasing critical milestones in human history. They offer a unique approach to adapting industrial heritage for use in the world’s most extensive winemaking and wine preservation facilities.

Criterion (iii): The Underground Wineries of Moldova (Cricova and Mileștii Mici) are exceptional living testimony of the winemaking traditions that come from a long history and have been adapted to recent technologies and needs. Underground wineries represent a unique transformation of industrial heritage, adapting it for winemaking and wine storage in a way that ensures a sustainable economy.

Criterion (iv): The Underground Wineries of Moldova (Cricova and Mileștii Mici) are remarkable architectural and technological marvels, showcasing pivotal stages in human history. They evolved from manual stone extraction to industrial-scale operations, creating an extraordinary size and diverse underground landscape. The unique environment and vast extent of the galleries made them ideal for adapting to the needs of wine production, storage, and marketing. By the latter half of the 20th century, these underground wineries had transformed into bustling wine cities with dedicated production, storage, tasting, and sales spaces. Today, they are home to some of the most renowned wine brands in the world.

Criterion (v): The underground landscape of the Cricova and Mileștii Mici wineries is a remarkable testament to the interaction between humans and nature. It reflects the connection between people and the geological layers formed by the Sarmatian Sea millions of years ago, which played a crucial role in shaping both the cultural traditions of stone mining and the use of underground galleries for wine production, storage, and distribution. These industries have been vital to the local economy for over a century. However, the industrial extraction of stone, the extensive use of underground galleries, earthquakes, and other risk factors have also increased their vulnerability. As a result, it is essential to implement conservation and protection measures to preserve this unique heritage.

The integrity of the sites is safeguarded by the structure and layout of the underground galleries within the designated perimeters used by the wine complexes. From a geological and geodetic perspective, the boundaries of the underground galleries are well-documented, well-preserved, and fully operational. The wineries at Cricova and Mileștii Mici utilise only a portion of these subterranean galleries, specifically within the defined perimeter outlined in their contracts. The wineries are responsible for ensuring proper maintenance, integrity, and protection of the galleries. As a result, the underground galleries are legally designated as protected areas, benefiting from special monitoring and management measures. The legal framework effectively supports and guarantees the integrity of this nominated serial property.

The authenticity of the serial property is highlighted by the size of the underground galleries, created initially through industrial stone extraction for construction purposes and later repurposed for winemaking and wine storage. The age of these galleries, along with the quality of the rock used for their construction, their structure, and the vastness of the underground spaces utilised for winemaking, all contribute to the authenticity of the serial property. Thus, the Cricova and Mileștii Mici wineries represent a unique transformation and adaptation of industrial heritage, creating the world's most extensive underground wine galleries and the most comprehensive wine bottle collection globally. Since the mid-1950s, the two underground wineries have become prominent symbols of the Republic of Moldova’s wine industry, tourism, and cultural heritage. The scale of the underground galleries dedicated to producing and storing wine has led to the creation of an underground city of wine brands, affirming their status as the largest of their kind in the world.