Mileștii Mici, Underground wine cellar complex in Mileștii Mici, Moldova.
Mileștii Mici is an underground winery complex housed within limestone caves beneath the village. The natural caverns create a vast network of storage tunnels where wines rest undisturbed in stable conditions.
The winery complex was founded in 1969 as a state enterprise dedicated to storing and aging Moldova's premium wines. The facility has grown significantly over the decades to become one of the country's most extensive wine repositories.
The winery produces wines from local grape varieties that have been grown in the region for generations. Visitors can observe how traditional winemaking practices are still maintained underground, where the natural environment shapes the final product.
The underground tunnels are accessible and straightforward to walk through, though visitors should allow ample time to explore the extensive passages. Wearing a light jacket is advisable, as the caves remain cool year-round.
The complex holds millions of bottles stored within one of the world's largest privately held wine collections. The tunnel system extends so far that visitors can easily lose their sense of direction without a guide.
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