In 1827, when the first and the oldest part of the railway was built in the USA and the famous physicist Georg Ohm discovered what today is known as the first Ohm’s law in Germany, at that same time wonderful things were occurring in the Purcari village—this was the year the first Moldovan winery was founded and would later become a well-known brand in the world.
In that year, Purcari villagers had planted the first vines of the future vineyard and have put so much love, soul, and effort into it, that they managed to produce an exclusive wine—Negru de Purcari.
The History of Our Wines
In 1878, Bessarabian red wine made a profound impression on Exposition Universelle in Paris and was thought a French wine at first. They awarded Negru de Purcari with the first gold medal as a sign of the highest score.
Over 100 years passed since that day and this red wine still maintains the same refinement, intensity, distinctive flavor, and richness. Meanwhile, Purcari winery has birthed other wines that deservedly belong to the category of select wines, such as:
• Rară Negră de Purcari—ruby-colored wine with a velvety taste
• Pinot Grigio de Purcari—one of the best white wines
• Negru, Roșu & Alb de Purcari—3 cult classic wines that make the Vintage collection
• Rosé de Purcari—an exotic wine preferred by rosé aficionados from all over the world
• Chardonnay, Viorica and Traminer de Purcari—dry white wines that have received 97 points and platinum medals from the Decanter World Wine Awards
• Cuvee de Purcari assortment—sparkling wines that have made it on the Effervescent du Monde 2010’s top 10 list of sparkling wines of the world within just a few years
How It All Started
Founded in 1827, Purcari Winery is the oldest winery in Moldova, which in 2 centuries managed to become a well-regarded winery in Central and Western Europe according to Decanter, DAWA, and Effervescent du Monde.
The history of this place starts in the 18th century when French colonists occupied the lands near the Zograf monastery (Athos) and took it on themselves to keep order in the vineyards and to pay one-tenth of the harvest income.
Frenchmen, who possessed subtle and high-level intuition, knew from the start that the terroir was special. The owners started to produce red wines that quickly became famous as excellent wines with intense and complex flavors.
The Present
In 2003, after planting 250 hectares with vines and updating the winery with the best equipment, begins the modern period in the history of Château Purcari.
Purcari wines are exported to over 30 countries around the world, including the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Norway, Czechia, China, Poland, and Baltic countries—and they are considered a trademark of the Republic of Moldova abroad.
Château Purcari Tourism
Built in the French style, the chateau combines a country hotel, 2 lakes, a wonderful promenade, vineyards, and a restaurant, where wonderful wines combine with unforgettable gastronomic delights inspired by the European traditional cuisine.
Visitors can enjoy wine tastings, Purcari winery excursions, bike or car rides through the vineyard, catamaran riding on the territory’s 2 lakes, tennis, and many other activities.
In the Republic of Moldova, Château Purcari is also known for seasonal or private events arranged on its spectacular property.