Château Purcari
From Ștefan Vodă cellars to royal tables — the estate that defines “Moldovan wine” abroad.
Purcari
Moldova’s best-known wine estate
Purcari connects Bessarabian wine history with contemporary cellar discipline and medals from London to Brussels. In the glass you get serious consistency — a bridge between indigenous grapes and palates trained on classic Europe.
Shop Purcari →Why Purcari is Moldova’s benchmark
Château Purcari was founded in 1827 by a decree of Emperor Nicholas I of Russia, establishing the first specialized winery in Bessarabia. The soils near the Dniester River are rich in rubidium, giving the wines a distinctive deep-purple hue similar to Bordeaux terroir. In 1878 Negru de Purcari won a gold medal at the Paris World Expo — French experts initially mistook it for an unknown Bordeaux. The wine later graced the tables of Tsar Nicholas II, King George V and Queen Victoria. Today Purcari exports to 25+ countries and holds over 130 Decanter medals since 2015, plus the "Most Awarded Winery in the World" title (2021).
Bottles worth knowing
- Negru de Purcari — the flagship blend of 70 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 % Saperavi and 5 % Rară Neagră, aged 18 months in French oak barriques.
- Freedom Blend — launched in 2014 to celebrate Moldova's independence: 65 % Saperavi (Georgia), ~20 % Rară Neagră / Fetească Neagră (Moldova) and 15 % Bastardo (Ukraine).
- Alb de Purcari — elegant Chardonnay / Pinot Gris-influenced white with a classic European profile.
- Broader range of rosés, whites and limited releases by vintage.
Serving & pairings
Negru de Purcari & Freedom Blend: 16–18 °C, decant 30–60 minutes on youthful, tannic years. Grill, aged cheeses, paprika stews. Alb de Purcari: 10–12 °C with white fish, poultry or starters.
Guide: top Moldovan wines →Iconic Moldovan wines →Native grape varieties →Guide: Cricova →
FAQ
Is “Purcari” the same as Château Purcari?
Colloquially “Purcari” means the estate and brand. Labels may say Château Purcari on premium lines, but it is the same historic producer in Ștefan Vodă.
First Purcari bottle to buy?
Negru de Purcari for the classic red, or a rosé from the range for something lighter. Choose Freedom Blend if you want indigenous grapes in one pour.