Et Cetera Winery

About Et Cetera Winery

The Luchianov family's journey is a modern saga of the Moldovan diaspora returning home to revitalize the land. Starting with just five hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate has grown into a sophisticated operation that champions local varieties alongside international classics. In the early 2010s, Et Cetera became a founding member of the Small Wine Producers Association, a movement that shifted the national focus from bulk exports to high-quality boutique bottlings. This era marked a turning point for the country's vinicultural reputation. By focusing on limited releases and ecological balance, the brothers have helped prove that Moldova can compete on a global stage through craftsmanship rather than volume.

Deep in the southeast corner of Moldova, where the horizon stretches toward the Black Sea, a family of aviators turned winemakers has created a sanctuary of low-intervention viticulture. Et Cetera Winery feels less like a commercial enterprise and more like a private invitation to a sophisticated country estate. The air carries the scent of sun-baked lavender and the yeasty, promising aroma of juice fermenting in stainless steel tanks. You walk through vineyards where the vines are treated with an intimacy usually reserved for garden pets, noticing how the sandy soil retains the day's heat long after the sun dips below the plains. The soundscape is an idyllic mix of the wind rustling through peach trees and the soft, occasional hum of a small propeller plane coming in for a landing on the estate’s private grass airstrip.

Alexander Luchianov spent years traveling the world as a professional pilot before returning to his ancestral village of Crocmaz to plant his first vines in 2003. Along with his brother Igor, he rejected the industrial, high-volume approach typical of post-Soviet wineries in favor of a boutique, hands-on philosophy. They built the modern, minimalist winery in 2009, designing it to facilitate gravity-fed production and natural temperature control. The brothers famously handle every step of the process themselves, from harvesting the grapes by hand to designing the labels. Their gamble on the unique microclimate of the Stefan Voda region, which benefits from the warmth of the Dniester river valley, has resulted in some of the most critically acclaimed small-batch wines in Eastern Europe.

Sitting on the wooden deck of the tasting room, you feel the gentle, persistent breeze that keeps the grapes dry and disease-free. You notice the way the light catches the golden clarity of a glass of Cuvee Blanc, reflecting the straw-colored fields surrounding the property. The sound of a cork being pulled followed by the appreciative silence of a small group of visitors defines the afternoon pace. You feel the cool condensation on the bottle as it comes straight from the cellar beneath your feet. You notice the genuine warmth of the owners as they describe the specific challenges of a particular frost or the joy of a perfect harvest. The moment that stays with you is wandering out to the airstrip at dusk, watching the sky turn a deep violet while the smell of wood-fired pizza begins to drift from the estate kitchen.

The winery is situated near the village of Crocmaz, about a two-hour drive from Chisinau. The route takes you through the rolling agricultural heartland of the southeast, often flanked by endless rows of sunflowers or corn. Most visitors arrive by private car, as the remote location is not well-served by public marshrutkas. For those seeking a truly dramatic entrance, the estate offers the possibility of arriving by light aircraft directly onto their private landing strip. Once you arrive, the layout is compact and easy to navigate on foot, though many choose to borrow a bicycle to explore the farther reaches of the vineyards before settling in for a long, slow tasting session.

The Experience

The atmosphere at Et Cetera is one of unpretentious, high-end rural life. You notice the smell of wild herbs and drying clay, a grounded scent that contrasts with the refined elegance of the wine. You feel the physical distance from the city, a sense of being in a secret enclave where the only schedule is the ripening of the fruit. The light in the tasting room is soft and natural, streaming through large windows that frame the vines like a living painting. You notice the small, personal touches in the decor, from aviation memorabilia to local pottery. The most striking detail is the sound of laughter coming from the open kitchen where traditional 'placinte' are made by hand. It is a place that values the human element above all else.

Why It Matters

Et Cetera Winery represents the vanguard of Moldova's boutique wine revolution. It is culturally significant as a prime example of the 'reverse brain drain,' where skilled professionals return to their roots to innovate. Historically, it is a key player in the Stefan Voda Protected Geographical Indication, helping to define the unique character of wines produced near the Dniester River.

Why Visit

Visit because you want to see the future of Moldovan wine. While the massive underground cellars of the north offer scale, Et Cetera offers a personal connection to the winemaker. You come here to drink a glass of wine on a porch overlooking the very vines it came from and to experience the hospitality of a family that bet everything on the quality of their soil. It is the most stylish escape in the country.