Any wine enthusiast will tell you this: Wine is a special kind of drink.
Sipping on a glass of locally-produced wine at sunset is like taking a journey which explores the specifics of the region; its climate as well as the resourcefulness of its residents.
No wine is exactly like the other, and just so it happens that wineries are one of the most exciting Romanian attractions.
Here are some of the best wineries and vineyards in the country which you should consider including on your travel itinerary.
Prince Stirbey Winery
Located just three hours away from Bucharest, the Stirbey Winery has been in the family of Prince Stirbey since the 18th century and features a wine cellar built in the 1920s.
In 2001, Romanian Royal Baroness Ileana Kripp-Costinescu and her German husband reclaimed the property.
With tremendous passion and love for the indigenous grape varieties and the region’s long-lasting culture of winemaking, the Baroness renovated the vineyards and ensured tradition will carry on.
If you come here, you can take a guided tour of the estate. You can taste the Stirbey family of wines together with a selection of traditional food while surrounded by stunning views of the Dragasani vineyards.
Don’t leave without trying the aromatic Tamâioasă Româneasca Dry or the dense yet elegant Negru de Drăgăsani.
Recaș Vineyard
Close to Timisoara, one of the major cities in Romania, the Recas Vineyard opens its doors to all those interested in:
- taking a tour of the vineyard itself
- discovering winemaking technology
- seeing wine cellars and admiring a collection of approximately 250 barrels
- sampling wines in a room found 9 meters (29.5 feet) underground.
You should know that the Recas Vineyard is one of the oldest in the county and was first mentioned in a written document in 1447.
You can always buy a bottle of Recas wine from the supermarket, but the best way to turn a glass of wine into an experience is to sample it right at the producer.
Cotnari Winery
The first historical mentions of the Cotnari vineyard date back to the 18th century.
However, there are reasons to believe that the vineyard culture around these parts goes back to the time of Burebista (82-44 BC), the Dacian King who ordered the burning of all vineyards.
One of the main reasons was that the wine was just too tempting for invaders who heard about the famous wine – and locals alike who perhaps drank a tad much.
Fortunately, not everyone obeyed the orders of burning down the vineyards.
To visit the historic Cotnari Winery today, one of the top Romanian attractions for wine lovers, you’ll have to travel to Moldova, a region located in the north-eastern part of Romania.
You will love their extensive wine offering and collection of wines which started all the way back in the 1950s. There are over 1 million bottles of wine in the Cotnari vinoteque, many of which are older than the vinoteque itself.
So, if you’re interested in sharing the experience of tasting old wines with friends and loved ones, this is the place to come.
Grasa de Cotnari, produced at the Cotnari winery, is the most-awarded white wine from Romania. So, an excellent place to start your visit is with a glass of this “liquid gold.”
Discover More Romanian Attractions on Your Next Trip
Pairing great wine with delicious food and authentic views is a recipe for a vacation which you’ll love remembering – even if you’re not a wine expert.
And if you’re looking for other memorable experiences you can enjoy here, we encourage you to look over some other articles posted on our blog.
Discover Romania’s Famous Vineyards and Memorable Wine Tasting Tours!
You’ll discover one of a kind, must-see Romanian attractions located in some of the best destinations in the country.
Tours that include wine tasting
- Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting – 2.5 hours
- Wines of Wallachia – 8 hours
- Peles Royal Castle & Wine Tasting – 9 hours
- Slanic Salt Mine & Wine Tasting Tour – 8 hours
If you have any questions regarding a certain tour or location you’d like to visit in Romania, feel free to contact us!