Solar energy
Four consecutive years of 100% solar energy for winery operations.
Casa Vinicola Luca · Cricova, Moldova
Rooted in Moldova.
Made by our family.
We are a family winery with 10.5 hectares of vines, a hands-on approach and a story that spans four generations. Through Carpe Diem, we share the character of Moldova, one carefully made wine at a time.
Casa Vinicola Luca (brand: Carpe Diem) is a family winery in Cricova, Republic of Moldova, run by winemaker and owner Ion Luca (Jr.). His father, Ion Luca Sr., worked for 45 years at Cricova S.A. and received the Order of the Republic in 2025.
Visit our winery
10.5 ha
OF VINEYARDS
100%
HAND-HARVESTED GRAPES
4
GENERATIONS OF WINEMAKING
Cricova
OUR HOME IN MOLDOVA
The vineyards
Moldovan roots.
A world of expression.
Our 10.5 hectares bring together local varieties and internationally recognised grapes, each contributing its own character to the wines we make.
Local varieties
Fetească Neagră · Rară Neagră · Fetească Albă · Fetească Regală · Viorica · Floricica
International varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon · Pinot Noir · Chardonnay · Saperavi · Sauvignon Blanc
From vine to cellar
Care at every stage.
Harvest runs from late August to early October. We pick every bunch by hand and transport the grapes in small, 10 kg boxes, with careful attention to temperature.
A final selection takes place before crushing and destemming. Temperature-controlled fermentation allows us to follow each wine closely.
Freshness in stainless steel
Our white wines are aged in stainless-steel tanks to preserve their freshness and varietal character.
Time in oak
Our red wines mature in 225-litre oak barrels. Our barrel selection is 90% French oak and 10% Moldovan oak.
Sustainability · Green Generation Wines
For our children’s tomorrow.
As a family winery, we think beyond the next harvest. The decisions we make today shape the place our children will inherit. At Casa Vinicola Luca, that means using renewable energy, caring for resources and finding practical ways to reduce waste.
From the vineyard to the bottle, these are the measures we are putting into practice — and the next step we are working towards.
LED lighting
We use LED lighting throughout the winery to reduce energy consumption.
Lightweight bottles
Lighter wine bottles help reduce the weight of our packaging and its transport footprint.
Water reuse
We reuse wastewater, especially for irrigation.
Waste management
We sort and recycle the winery's waste wherever possible.
Recycled packaging
We use recycled materials in our packaging wherever we can.
PLANNED
Biogas production
We plan to produce biogas from the waste generated by our winery.
Our family story
A tradition interrupted.
A determination that endured.
Until 1949, our family grew grapes and had a wine cellar in the town of Orhei. That year, the family was labelled “kulaks” by the Soviet authorities and deported to Siberia for hard labour, alongside many thousands of other families from Moldova. Their wine cellar and 20 hectares of vineyards and arable land were confiscated. Casa Vinicola Luca ceased to exist for the remainder of the Soviet period, as did Moldova’s other small family wineries. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the family’s winemaking tradition was revived: in 2013, Casa Vinicola Luca began producing its own wines once again.
A legacy carried forward
Dedication across generations.
2025 · ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC
Honouring Ion Luca senior
Ion Luca senior received Moldova’s highest state distinction, recognising 45 years of dedication to Cricova, one of the country’s emblematic wineries.
Read his story →2026 · CREATORUL VINULUI
A new chapter for our family
Casa Vinicola Luca received the Creatorul Vinului trophy in 2026 — a moment of pride for our family and the people who have helped us along the way.
Frequently asked questions
Who runs Casa Vinicola Luca?
Casa Vinicola Luca (brand: Carpe Diem) is a family winery in Cricova, Republic of Moldova, run by winemaker and owner Ion Luca (Jr.). His father, Ion Luca Sr., worked for 45 years at Cricova S.A. and received the Order of the Republic in 2025.
How big are your vineyards and how do you harvest?
We have 10.5 hectares of vines. Harvest runs from late August to early October. We pick every bunch by hand and carry the grapes in small 10 kg boxes.
Which grape varieties do you work with?
Local varieties: Fetească Neagră, Rară Neagră, Fetească Albă, Fetească Regală, Viorica and Floricica. International varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Saperavi and Sauvignon Blanc.
How are your wines made and aged?
Our white wines are aged in stainless-steel tanks to preserve their freshness. Our red wines mature for 12 to 24 months in 225-litre oak barrels: 90% French oak and 10% Moldovan oak.
What do you do for sustainability?
Our winery operations have run on 100% solar energy for four consecutive years. We also use LED lighting and lightweight bottles, reuse wastewater (especially for irrigation), use recycled materials in our packaging wherever we can, and sort and recycle the winery’s waste wherever possible. We plan to produce biogas from the winery’s waste.
Can I visit the winery?
Yes, by reservation only. Tastings last three hours and are hosted personally by Ion Luca. Our standard tastings are for groups of at least 10 guests; for a smaller group, write to us and we will suggest an option. See the tasting packages or contact us to book.
Do you export your wines?
Yes. Carpe Diem wines are exported to 15 countries. Importers can find our terms and contact details on the For Importers page.
Come and meet us
The story continues at the table.
Visit our winery in Cricova for a tour and a tasting with the winemaker. Discover the wines, explore the cellar and hear the stories behind the bottles.
Explore our tasting packages