Asconi Winery Tour: A Guide to Moldova’s Most Welcoming Estate

If Cricova is the underground cathedral, Castel Mimi the architectural fairy tale, and Purcari the aristocratic legacy, Asconi is the family home you never want to leave.

Located just 35 kilometers south of Chisinau in the village of Puhoi, Asconi Winery has been a family-owned business since 1994. What began as a small family venture has grown into one of Moldova’s largest independent wine producers, exporting to over 25 countries across five continents. But despite its success, Asconi has never lost its soul: it remains a place where wine, food, and hospitality are shared with genuine warmth.

This guide covers everything you need to know: the history, the tour experience, the unique activities that set Asconi apart, and how to combine it with other Moldova highlights.

 

What Is Asconi Winery?

Asconi is a family-owned winery and tourism complex in Puhoi, Ialoveni district. Founded in 1994, it has grown to cultivate over 500 hectares of vineyards planted with both international varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc) and indigenous Moldovan grapes like Fetească Albă, Fetească Neagră, and Rara Neagră.

The winery produces between 5 and 8 million bottles annually, with 99% of production exportedto markets including the UK, USA, Canada, China, Japan, and across Europe. In 2015, Asconi received the National Grand Prix of the Wine Industry in recognition of its excellence.

But what truly sets Asconi apart is its hospitality. The estate has evolved into a full destination: a traditional Moldovan restaurant, rustic thatched-roof cottages for overnight stays, two swimming pools, and a collection of Soviet-era vehicles displayed around the grounds.

 

Quick facts:

• Founded: 1994 by Constantin Jitaru

• Location: Puhoi village, ~35 km from Chisinau

• Vineyards: 500+ hectares

• Annual production: 5-8 million bottles

• Exports to: 25+ countries including UK (Waitrose, M&S, Aldi, Morrisons)

• Known for: Ice Wine, Fetească varieties, family-friendly experiences, traditional Moldovan cuisine

 

What Makes Asconi Different from Other Moldovan Wineries

Moldova has four legendary wine destinations. Each tells a different story:

Asconi is the one you visit when you want to slow down, eat well, and feel genuinely welcomed.It’s less about impressing you with scale or grandeur, and more about sharing Moldovan traditions in a warm, unpretentious way. As one visitor put it: “Asconi Winery is full of life — it has something for everyone.”

 

The Tour Experience: What to Expect

Asconi offers a range of experiences depending on your interests and how much time you have.

Wine Tour & Tasting

The standard guided tour takes you through the production facilities and wine cellars, followed by a tasting in a room overlooking the vineyards.

Tasting options:

Water and homemade bread rusks are included with every tasting.

What you’ll taste: Asconi is particularly known for its Ice Wine — made from grapes left on the vine into the cold season, concentrating sugars naturally. Visitors consistently recommend the Riesling and Traminer ice wines. The Sol Negru range (meaning “Black Soil”) is also a standout, including Fetească Albă and Rară Neagră.

 

 

The Plăcinta Baking Workshop

This is what makes Asconi truly unique. Plăcinta is a traditional Moldovan pastry — sweet or savoury, filled with pumpkin, cottage cheese, potatoes, or cabbage. At Asconi, you don’t just eat it; you learn to make it.

The 45-minute workshop costs 350 MDL per person (minimum 2 people) and requires booking 2 days in advance. You’ll make your own plăcinta and bake it in a stone oven, then enjoy it fresh.

Junior Sommelier & Chef (For Kids)

Asconi is one of the most family-friendly wineries in Moldova. The Junior programs are designed to make winery visits fun for children:

• Junior Chef: 2-hour baking experience where kids make cookies and “hulubași” (dove-shaped sweet bread). They receive an official Asconi diploma. Minimum 6 children, book 3 days ahead.

• Junior Sommelier: 1-hour experience where kids learn about Moldovan wine legends and have their “first tasting” — fruit kompot paired with snacks. 250 MDL per person.

Wine Art with Vasile Botnaru

For something completely different: paint with wine. This workshop with artist Vasile Botnaru uses wine pigments to create art — and you take home a bottle of wine with your own painted label. Cost: 650 MDL per person, minimum 10 people, book 5 days ahead.

 

Food & Wine Pairing

The estate’s restaurants offer traditional Moldovan and Balkan cuisine paired with Asconi wines. The Sol Negru restaurant focuses on rustic, shareable dishes in a thatched-roof setting. Guests rave about the plăcinta and local specialties.

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How to Get to Asconi Winery from Chisinau

Asconi is one of the most accessible wineries from the capital Chisinau . You have three options:

1. Organized Tour (Recommended)
The easiest option. Tours include hotel pickup, transport, winery entry, and tasting. One operator offers a combined Asconi + Branesti Winery full-day tour from €116.67 per person, including 3 wines at Asconi, snacks, and a professional guide.

2. Taxi or Rideshare
A taxi from Chisinau takes 20-30 minutes and costs approximately 150-200 MDL (€8-10). Rideshare apps (Yandex Go, iTaxi) work well. For the return trip, ask winery staff to call a local taxi — availability can be inconsistent.

3. Self-Drive
Take the road toward Ialoveni/Puhoi. Address: Str. Ștefan cel Mare 1, MD-6824, Puhoi. Free parking is available on-site.

 

Best Time to Visit Asconi

Asconi is open daily from 11:00 to 17:00 for tours (restaurant and grounds have longer hours).

Weekdays are quieter and pool prices are lower. Weekends feature live traditional music in the restaurant, creating a festive atmosphere — but expect crowds.

Summer is ideal for enjoying the two swimming pools. Autumn is beautiful for vineyard views. Decide when to visit Moldova.

 

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What Else Is at Asconi?

Beyond the wine, Asconi is a full-day destination:

Accommodation: 12 rustic cottages (20 rooms) with traditional Moldovan architecture and hand-made thatched roofs, opened in 2019. One guest described staying overnight as “a great getaway” and recommended it for anyone visiting Moldova.

Swimming Pools: Two adult pools and a children’s splash pool with slides. Weekday entry is cheaper; weekends are 50% more expensive. Children over 90 cm pay entry.

Soviet-Era Vehicle Collection: A display of vintage vehicles and motorcycles around the estate grounds.

Puhoi-Geamăna Hiking Route: A 10 km countryside trail from Puhoi to Geamăna. Pack water, plăcinta, and Asconi wine for the journey.

 

Combine Asconi With Other Moldova Highlights

Asconi pairs well with:

• Branesti Winery Tour — Often combined on full-day tours. Branesti is an underground winery inside a limestone mine with 75 km of galleries

• Cricova Winery Tour — The underground wine city

• Milestii Mici Winery Tour — The Guinness World Record holder

• Castel Mimi Winery Tour — The architectural castle experience

• Chateau Purcari Winery Tour — Moldova’s most awarded estate

Asconi is also included in several multi-day tours, including a 3-Day Relaxing Wine Tour and a 5-Day Luxury Moldovan Wine Tour.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book Asconi in advance?
Yes. Prior reservation is required at least 1 day in advance for tours and tastings. Workshops (plăcinta, wine art) require 2-5 days notice.

Are tours available in English?
Yes. Tours are offered in English, Romanian, and Russian.

Is Asconi suitable for children?
Absolutely — it’s one of the most family-friendly wineries in Moldova. The Junior Chef and Junior Sommelier programs are specifically designed for kids.

How long does a tour take?
Standard tour + tasting: 1 to 1.5 hours. Allow 3-4 hours total including travel and a meal if you’re combining it with lunch.

Can I stay overnight at Asconi?
Yes. The estate has 12 rustic cottages with traditional architecture. Guests have praised the experience of staying overnight.

Can I buy wine at Asconi?
Yes. There’s a wine shop on-site with very reasonable prices — one visitor noted a bottle of Sol Negru Sauvignon Blanc for just 99 Lei (about £4.30).

What should I wear?
Comfortable shoes for walking through the production facilities and grounds. Casual clothing is fine — Asconi is relaxed and welcoming.

 

Ready to Visit Asconi Winery?

We run guided Asconi Winery tours from Chisinau with hotel pickup, English-speaking guides, and tasting packages. We also offer combined tours that include Asconi, Branesti, and other Moldova highlights.

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