People have been occupied with winemaking on Moldavian contemporary territory for a long time. In the 12th century the monks of Kiev Pechersk Lavra planted vineyards using these lands.
There were no better people than monks in understanding of the earth peculiarities. That is why they have chosen the most ecologically right and fertile places. At that time “Vitis Teutonica” were grown as well, which is considering as a first sort of grapes all around the world.
At the beginning of 19th century, there were found vineyards which were belonged to Turkish yoke. Later, the Emperor Alexander I invited 15 French-speaking families to the village Shabo, Odessa Region, for the winemaking craft improvement. One of those immigrants was Louis-Vincent Tardent – a botanist of Suisse origin. It was him, who revived winemaking culture and who headed the group of first immigrants. By the way, Louis-Vincent Tardent and Alexander Pushkin knew each other. Being impressed by Louis’ vine, A.Puskin wrote a poem “Grapes” in 1824.
In 60th of 19th century, the population of Shabo was grown and the aura of wine development was wide spread on Besarabian territory, especially on Purcari zones. Purcari, Akkerman, Soldanesti have been known by great diversity of flora and fauna. Nowadays, moreover, there is situated the only one Ecological Moldavian Museum (Stefan-Voda district).
At the end of 20th century, to be more precise in 1998, we decided to develop ecological wine, which would have it is own character and would reflect the place where it is grown. Talking to local peasants and agronomists, we tried to find the convenient slopes for vineyard. Consulting the history of Moldovan lands, we have chosen two sections in Olanesti village, Stefan-Voda district, Purcari zone. First one is called by the natives as “Valea Sinodrei”, in English “Sinodra Valley”. The vineyard is situated on 99 meters above sea level. The second one is called “Togai”. It attracted us by its sleep slope.
Besides the scientific decisions, we have paid attention to the cultural belief. They say that if one wants to grow good grapes, the vineyards have to be placed on the slopes that give possibility to observe Nistru River from all 4 sides of a vineyard. It played an essential role in choosing the sections. Moreover the soil diversity and presence of mineral salts with ground waters created profit conditions for our final decision.
First almost 7 hectares of “Sinodra Valley” were planted at the beginning of a new millennium, in 2000. Vineyards were planted using a unique method in the basis of which laid the experience, taken during the practice all around the world. One of the main peculiarities of plantation is hidden in the plant population. We planted 5000 grapes bushes per 1 hectare, when other people used to do it in Moldova as 2200 bushes per 1 hectare. It is important to mention that the harvest from 5000 bushes is the same as from 2200. Then what for? – For Quality! Such plantation liberates vine willows from clusters and because of that, each cluster take sun and soil energy in the whole volume.