Moldova
Mileștii Mici
Established Late 1960s
Mileștii Mici began life as a limestone mine just 20 km from Chișinău, Moldova’s capital. Today it is one of the most remarkable wine cellars on earth – and home to the largest wine collection in the world.
An underground cellar like no other
When the limestone was extracted, it left around 200 km of underground galleries, 40 to 80 metres below the surface. They proved perfect for long-term wine storage: a constant 12–14°C and 85–95% humidity all year round. In the 1970s, huge oak barrels were installed, and carefully selected wines from Moldova’s best vineyards began to be aged here.
The Golden Collection
In 2005, the Golden Collection of Mileștii Mici was recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest wine collection in the world – about 1.5 million bottles, kept up to 80 metres underground. It includes rare old wines that are part of Moldova’s National Cultural Heritage and survived the Soviet-era wine prohibition.
Did you know? Visitors can rent their own wine vats at Mileștii Mici to store wine in the underground galleries.
The winery today
Mileștii Mici produces, ages and sells wines, and over the last 15 years wine tourism has become a fast-growing part of its work, welcoming visitors every day to explore the galleries.
Mileștii Mici at Wine Chateau
Our Mileștii Mici wines are mature vintage reds, aged in the underground cellars:
- Mileștii Mici Vintage Merlot – dry red
- Mileștii Mici Vintage Cabernet Sauvignon – dry red
- Mileștii Mici Vintage Purpuriu de Purcari – dry red