An organic vineyard dominated by red varieties
Republic of Moldova, on a hill that upraises along the Dniester river valley. The 5 hectares area enjoys a unique microclimate and extremely diverse soils, while the grapes are organically grown. The Equinox vines are dominated by red varieties, which are, actually, traditional for the region: Rară Neagră, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Fetească Neagră, Saperavi, as well as new varieties for Moldova – Shiraz and Carménère. Among the white varieties, Chardonnay, Feteasca Albă and Feteasca Regală have been planted. The first parcel was planted in 2002 with Cabernet Sauvignon, and a year later there were also cultivated varietals such as Shiraz, Malbec or Merlot.
From the local red varieties, Rara Neagră was the most popular, among which mixed vines of Băbească Gri and Pinot Gris were grown. The first Rară Neagră parcel, picked from the old Olăneşti vines, was planted in 2005 with private selection grafted vines. A few years later, the grafted vines of local varieties also appeared on the market, thus extending the area cultivated with this variety. The first Equinox branded wine was launched in 2006, an edition of just 800 bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon from the first harvest of the first parcel.
Equinox produces about 8,000 bottles of premium wine per year, sold internally, in Romania, Germany and the USA.
Since 2006, Equinox began the conversion to organic farming – the 2013 harvest was the first to be certified as organic.
• Contact person: Constantin Stratan
• Telephone: +37369500505
• E-mail: vin@equinox.md
• Opening hours: Monday–Friday 09.00–17.00
• Name of the company: Crama Domnească SRL
• Established in: 2002
• Owner: Constantin Stratan
• Oenologist: Constantin Stratan
• Annual production: 22.000 liters
• Annual production capacity: 29.000 bottles
• Surface: 5 hectares
• Direct sales: YES
• Headquarters address: str. Nicolae Costin 61/3 114, Chișinău, 2071
