Moldova’s winemaking heritage is steeped in legend, one of the most famous being the tale of the storks. During a Turkish siege near Grodieshti, the fortress defenders were weakened by hunger and thirst. Suddenly, hundreds of storks appeared, driving back the enemy with their wings and dropping bundles of grapes to the soldiers below. Revived by the fruit, the defenders repelled the attack, and the stork became a lasting symbol of luck and prosperity. Today, the stork with grapes is the emblem of Moldovan viticulture and features in the logo of the Viticulture Association. Moldova’s vineyard area spans around 114,000 hectares, divided into three distinct wine regions, each with its own terroir and specialties.