By the end of the twelfth century, the wine industry of Moldavia had become a major sector of the economy in Southeastern Europe. While the entire region boasts favorable conditions for viticulture, certain areas are particularly fertile for cultivating the boldest grapes. The village of Purcari and the vineyards of the Agon Zograf monastery lie at the heart of this special terroir.
Recognizing similarities in soil and climate with the Bordeaux region, French settlers partnered with the monastery and began cultivating special vintages in Purcari in the 18th century.
Several decades later, after the enterprise had become a profitable success, it was confirmed that the Purcari vineyards were situated at the same latitude as the famous French wine region, and like Bordeaux, the soil was rich in rubidium (which gives wines from both regions their intense purple color). As the red wines of the region developed their aromas, they were able to reach levels of intensity and complexity comparable to Bordeaux.
Emerging from war, a new era in Purcari’s history began in 1950 when Moldovan winemakers restored the classical production techniques of the famous wines. One of the greatest professionals of the time, Pimen Cupcea, reconstructed the legendary Negru de Purcari, while Ion Ungureanu created a new masterpiece – the Purpuriu de Purcari.
Purcari wines once again gained great popularity and became synonymous with the Republic of Moldova.
At the turn of the century, Château Purcari replanted 250 hectares of vineyards and installed state-of-the-art technology in the cellar. As Moldova’s most prestigious export, Purcari led the nation’s international development by entering over 25 markets, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway, the Czech Republic, China, Poland, and the Baltic countries.
The last decade of Purcari’s almost two centuries has seen the winery reach its most advanced and complex stage of development. With vineyards planted in 2003 reaching maturity, the quality of the grapes has significantly improved. The Château is once again ready to compete for the demanding palates of the world.
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