Brănești Winery from Chișinău: A Complete Guide

Why Brănești Winery Is Worth the Journey

Brănești Winery, known locally as “Pivnițele din Brănești,” is one of Moldova’s hidden underground treasures. Located in the village of Brănești in the Orhei district, it sits just 5 kilometers from the famous Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei) complex and approximately 50 kilometers from Chișinău .

The winery is housed inside an old limestone mine with galleries extending over 58 to 75 kilometers and occupying an area of 75 hectares, at a depth of 60 meters underground . The constant temperature of 12-14°C and 90-92% humidity provide ideal conditions for aging wine .

Brănești Winery possesses about 800 hectares of vineyards located in a beautiful forest area near Orheiul Vechi, as well as in the villages of Romanești and Tudora . The winery produces white and red wines, sparkling wines, dry, semi-dry, and dessert wines. It is particularly renowned for its vintage wines and those produced using special technologies, such as Madeira, Marsala, and pastoral-style wines .

What makes Brănești truly unique is its “Stone Age” tourist complex—an unusual dining and hospitality space designed to evoke the atmosphere of prehistoric times. The absence of mobile phone and internet signals makes the experience especially appealing for visitors who want to disconnect and slow down . The winery is also pioneering Moldova’s first underground hotel.

Transport Options at a Glance

Option 1: Organized Tours (Most Popular Choice)

For the vast majority of visitors, an organized tour is the most practical way to reach Brănești Winery.

Typical Full-Day Tour Structure: Most tours from Chișinău last between 6 and 8 hours and combine Brănești with the Orheiul Vechi complex and often the Curchi Monastery . A standard itinerary includes hotel pickup in Chișinău, a drive to the Orheiul Vechi area, exploration of the cave monasteries and archaeological complex, a traditional lunch in Butuceni village (optional, additional cost), and finally the winery tour and tasting at Brănești .

What’s Included: Standard tour packages typically cover:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Chișinău

• Round-trip transportation by comfortable car or minivan

• A professional tour guide (shared with the group)

• Entry tickets to Orheiul Vechi

• Visit to Curchi Monastery (on some tours)

• Wine tour and tasting at Brănești featuring 5 wines

• Entry tickets to Brănești Cellar

Tasting Experience: The wine tasting takes place in one of Brănești’s two distinctive tasting halls. One hall is located underground, creating an authentic atmosphere inspired by traditional winemaking. Both spaces combine wood and metal décor with themes dedicated to vine cultivation and the art of winemaking . The tasting includes a selection of white and red wines, sparkling wines, dry, semi-dry, and dessert wines .

Cost: Tour prices vary based on group size and inclusions:

• Private tour (1-2 persons): €112 per person

• Private tour (3-9 adults): €88 per person

• Combined Asconi + Brănești tour: from €116.67 per person

• Private Cricova + Brănești tour: $170 per person

Why Choose a Tour: The distance, the remote location, and the combination with Orheiul Vechi make a tour the most rewarding option. You get cultural context, transportation, and a curated experience without any logistics stress. The Stone Age complex at Brănești is also best experienced as part of a guided visit .

Option 2: Self-Driving

If you have a rental car, driving to Brănești Winery is straightforward and gives you the most flexibility.

Route and Distance: The winery is approximately 50 kilometers from Chișinău, taking about 40-45 minutes by car . The route follows the road toward Orhei, then continues to Brănești village. The winery is easy to find because Brănești village is located near Orheiul Vechi (5 km away) and 20 km from Orhei town .

Navigation: Entering “Pivnițele din Brănești” or “Brănești, Orhei” into your GPS will guide you reliably. Key waypoints along the route: Chișinău → Ivancea → Brănești .

Road Conditions: The journey is on good roads, with the national tourist route covering 130 kilometers round trip . The drive takes about 40-45 minutes by car or about 1 hour by bus .

Parking: Parking at the winery is available on-site. Arriving in the morning is recommended, especially on weekends.

Option 3: Taxi or Private Transfer

For those who want door-to-door service without joining a group, a taxi is an option.

Distance and Time: The drive takes approximately 50 minutes for the 48.3-kilometer journey .

Cost: According to 2026 pricing data, a taxi from Chișinău to Brănești costs approximately ¥90–¥110 (roughly 170–220 MDL) . This is for the village of Brănești; the winery is just outside the village.

Practical Considerations: As with other wineries outside Chișinău, return taxi availability may be limited. The safest approach is to ask the winery staff to call a local taxi for you when you’re ready to leave. Alternatively, pre-arrange a private transfer through your hotel.

Option 4: Bus + Taxi (Budget Option)

For budget-conscious travelers willing to combine public transport with a short taxi ride, this is the most economical option.

Route: Take a bus from Chișinău Autogara Nord to Orhei (buses run every 15 minutes, journey takes about 54 minutes, cost approximately 220–310 MDL or ¥11–¥16) . From Orhei, take a taxi to Brănești Winery (about 20 km).

Total Time and Cost: The best way to get from Chișinău to Brănești without a car is bus and taxi, which takes about 1 hour 14 minutes and costs approximately ¥260–¥370 .

Alternative: Some buses from Chișinău Central Bus Station go directly to Orhei (1h 20min, every hour, ¥14–¥50), then taxi to the winery .

Practical Information

Address: Brănești village, Orhei district, Moldova

Distance from Chișinău: 50 km

Opening Hours: Daily, Monday–Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00

Tour Duration: 4–5 hours including travel time (for the winery experience alone)

Languages: Tours are available in English, Romanian, and Russian

What to Bring: Comfortable shoes and a jacket—the underground cellars maintain a constant temperature of 12-14°C . The tour involves some walking, and if combined with Orheiul Vechi, you’ll climb 200 steps to reach the cave monasteries .

Not Suitable For: People with claustrophobia (due to the underground setting), people with mobility impairments, and wheelchair users

Stone Age Complex: One of the highlights is the Stone Age Complex, an unusual dining and hospitality space designed to evoke the atmosphere of prehistoric times. The absence of mobile phone and internet signals makes the experience especially appealing for visitors who want to disconnect, slow down, and enjoy their surroundings .

Good to Combine With: Brănești Winery pairs perfectly with Orheiul Vechi (5 km away), one of Moldova’s most important cultural and natural reserves, featuring cave monasteries carved into limestone cliffs, ancient fortifications, and the traditional village of Butuceni . The Curchi Monastery, one of the country’s most impressive monasteries, is also often included in tours .

Final Thoughts

Brănești Winery offers a different experience from Moldova’s more famous underground wine cities. Instead of vast commercial cellars, you’ll find a unique underground complex with a Stone Age-themed hospitality space, a commitment to disconnecting from the digital world, and a genuine sense of discovery. Its proximity to Orheiul Vechi makes it an ideal pairing for a full day of cultural exploration. Whether you join a tour, drive yourself, or combine bus and taxi, the journey rewards you with one of Moldova’s most atmospheric wine experiences.