Château Vartely entered the Moldovan wine market in 1996. From the very beginning, the winery focused on quality and quickly became one of the country’s leading producers.

In 2004, the Château Vartely company was officially established. This marked an important step toward international markets and export-oriented production. Soon after, the winery began receiving awards at major international wine competitions, confirming its growing global recognition.

The estate is located approximately 50 kilometres north of Chișinău, near the historic wine town of Orhei. This area has a long tradition of premium viticulture.

Château Vartely farms a total of 550 hectares of vineyards. These are divided between two of Moldova’s most important wine regions: Codru and Bugeac (IGP Valul lui Traian). This allows the winery to work with different climates, soils, and vineyard conditions, carefully selecting the best sites for each grape variety.

Annual production exceeds 4.5 million bottles. The portfolio combines indigenous Moldovan grape varieties with well-known international cultivars. Winemaking is focused on balance, varietal expression, and regional character.

In 2008, Château Vartely expanded its activities with the opening of a wine tourism complex. Inspired by traditional Moldovan architecture, the complex is integrated into the vineyard landscape. It offers cellar visits, guided tastings, and gastronomic experiences.

Today, Château Vartely brings together scale, technical expertise, and terroir diversity. The wines are consistent, expressive, and firmly rooted in Moldova’s leading wine regions.

Codru is located in central Moldova and is considered the country’s most prestigious and historically significant wine region. Its climate is moderate continental, strongly influenced by surrounding forests and rolling hills.

• Warm summers with good sun exposure allow full ripening of both white and red varieties.
• Cold winters, though the forest coverage helps moderate extreme temperatures.
• Balanced rainfall, generally sufficient during the growing season.
• Long autumns, ideal for slow, gradual ripening and the preservation of acidity.

The wooded landscape (Codru literally means “forest”) creates natural protection against harsh winds and temperature extremes, resulting in stable ripening conditions. This makes the region particularly suitable for aromatic whites and quality sparkling wine production.

Soils

Codru’s soils are highly favorable for viticulture and contribute significantly to wine quality.

• Limestone-rich soils – Provide excellent drainage and contribute to minerality and freshness in the wines.
• Chernozem (black earth) – Fertile yet well-structured, supporting balanced vine growth.
• Clay-limestone mixtures – Offer water retention during dry periods while maintaining drainage.

The limestone substrata are especially important, enhancing acidity retention and giving wines from Codru their refined structure and elegant mineral profile.

Wine Style Influence

Thanks to its cooler conditions and mineral soils, Codru is best known for:

• Fresh, aromatic white wines (including varieties like Riesling and local grapes)
• High-quality sparkling wines
• Elegant, structured reds with balanced acidity

Overall, Codru produces wines that combine freshness, finesse, and aging potential, often showing floral aromatics, vibrant acidity, and a clear expression of terroir.