There isn’t another country in the world so strongly marked by viticulture than the Republic of Moldova: The landlocked nation between Romania and the Ukraine disposes of 112,000 hectares of vineyards (more than much bigger Germany!), wine making dates back more than 5,000 years, and till nowadays one fourth of the population is living directly or indirectly of the wine sector. With archaeological artifacts pointing to a thriving wine culture as far back as the Cucuteni–Trypillia civilization, followed by Greek and Roman influences, local winemakers have been in the business for a long time, enriched by ethnic diversity, including German settlers in the 19th century.
Despite all challenges, from 300 years of Ottoman rule to Gorbachev’s prohibition era, followed by the more recent Russian embargoes on wines, Moldovans kept planting, growing, crushing and ageing.
A wine revolution
Recently, the country catches up rapidly regaining its former reputation with the „wine revolution“ started 10 years ago by launching the national brand „Wine of Moldova – a legend alive“. From the beginning, Château Purcari was the locomotive in this dynamic process. Located in the renowned Ştefan Vodă region close to the Black Sea, it is surrounded by 350 hectares of own vines planted on rolling hills. With its deep black soils over limestone bedrock Château Purcari’s history and reputation date back to 1827. Its first global medal at the Paris World Exhibition 1878 turned its „Negru de Purcari“ into a Moldovan icon.
Since the visionary founder and CEO Victor Bostan took over in the early 2000s, Château Purcari has continued to put quality first. Together with Head Winemaker Federico Giotto (Italy), Sparkling Expert Jérôme Barret (Champagne) and Development Director Gheorghe Arpentin, Bostan has put the bar a bit higher every year. In 2021, Château Purcari became the most awarded winery in the world and the leading producer in Central and Eastern Europe.
Successful local grape varieties
Huge efforts to grow local varieties such as Fetească Neagră and Rară Neagră have helped for the revival of those indigenous grapes. Especially the very fruity, fine and medium-bodied Rară Neagră now features solo or as component of prestigous blendings like the flagship „Negru de Purcari“. Another success story was the creation of the „Freedom Blend“ with Georgian Saperavi, Ukrainian Bastardo Magarach and Moldovan Rară Neagră after the Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014.
Sustainable wine production at Château Purcari
The name Château Purcari also stands for crispy, refreshing white wines for example from indigenous Viorica, Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay as well as for high class sparklings made with Méthode champenoise.
As the leader in wine production from a Protected Geographical Indication, Purcari Wines exemplifies responsible environmental practices, shaping the future of sustainable wine production. In this context, the company has crafted “Native”, a wine produced with meticulous care, using grapes that are in the process of transitioning to organic farming. The first organic wine, a Rosé, will be released in February 2025.
The growth path to become renown player is based on the power of 6 wineries, including Romanian top winery Crama Ceptura and Bulgarian Angel’s Estate. Purcari is proud to be in “top 1% Best wines in the World” on www.vivino.com and can be found on www.8wines.com with delivery in Europe.
In a masterclass led by the German wine journalist Thomas Brandl, a keen expert for Eastern Europe, on Monday, March 11 at 14.00, ProWein visitors can experience this new old excellence from Moldova.
