Crama Bauer where natural creativity meets the Dragasani wine world

Perhaps tasting wine on the veranda at Crama Bauer, a new Dragasani winery, was the perfect place to begin our wine explorations. Dragasani is a Romanian wine producing area that is buzzing with excitement. Dragasani wines once highly regarded in Europe were stifled under communist occupation. Today new wineries like Crama Bauer are bringing energy and direction to the Dragasani hills. Let's take a look.

After the Wine tasting, Crama Bauer Veranada © Spaswinefood

Welcome to Crama Bauer
Bauer winery sits on a hill overlooking the Olt River and the city of Dragasani. It is the perfect setting for a wine tasting.

View from Crama Bauer Veranada © Spaswinefood

Vineyards, Crama Bauer  © Spaswinefood

When Spaswinefood recently visited the Dragasani our first stop was at Crama Bauer. The winery is located right next door to the historical Prince Stirbey wine estate. A significant player in the Dragasani's rebirth is Prince Stirbey's granddaughter, Baroness Ilena Kripp-Costinescu and her husband Jakob Kripp who began the process of re-establishing the family's wine estate in 2001. A sure indication that the Dragasani is indeed on the wine road to success is the establishment of wineries by newcomers. Amongst the newcomers is Crama Bauer.

Oliver Bauer, Winemaker © Spaswinefood

Not only is Crama Bauer located right next door to the historical Stirbey wine estate but they also share something in common. The one thing that both of these wineries have in common is winemaker, Oliver Bauer. Bauer is the winemaker at both wineries. Bauer joined Stirbey in 2003. Recognizing the potential for the area he and his wife Raluca started their own winery in 2012.

#Winelovers, Crama Bauer © Spaswinefood

Crama Bauer Wines

Here is what I discovered when we recently visited the Bauer winery.

Crama Bauer Wines © Spaswinefood

This is an exciting young winery with a new approach to winemaking. Its philosophy is "Natural Creativity". The grape varieties used to make their wines include Sauvignonasse, Sauvignon Blanc, Cramposie Selectionata, Feteasca Regala, Negru de Dragasani, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot.

During our #winelover visit to the winery we tasted the following five wines:

1. Crama Bauer, Cramposie Selectionata 2015

Drama Bauer, Cramposie Selectionata 2015 © Spaswinefood

Crama Bauer, Cramposie Selectionata 2015 © Spaswinefood

This was my first introduction to Cramposie Selectionata, a native grape variety. I have since discovered that Cramposie is synomous with the Dragasani and vice-versa. It is one of the oldest grape varieties given it has been cultivated in this area since the time of the Dacians. Cramposie survived the phylloxera outbreak. In 1972 researchers at Research Station WINE Dragasani developed a new variety called Cramposie Selectionata, to solve Cramposie's sterility problem.

I am glad to have had my first tasting of a Cramposie Selectionata wine with #winelover friends. Sitting there on the veranda with such stunning views was awesome.

Tasting Cramposie Selectionata 2015  © Spaswinefood

2. Crama Bauer, Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Crama Bauer, Sauvignon Blanc 2014 © Spaswinefood

3. Crama Bauer, S.V.S. 2013

Crama Bauer, S.V.S. 2013  © Spaswinefood

Crama Bauer, S.V.S. 2013 (Backlabel) © Spaswinefood

The Crama Bauer, S.V.S. 2013 is a dry white wine. According to their website this wine is the barrel version of Sauvignonasse that is made out of rigorously selected grapes from an vineyard (over 40 years old) with a very low yield. 

4. Crama Bauer, O.R.A.N.G. E. 2014

Crama Bauer, O.R.A.N.G. E. 2014 © Spaswinefood

Crama Bauer, O.R.A.N.G.E. 2014 (Backlabel) © Spaswinefood

My understanding is that Sauvignonasse was also used in the making of this orange wine. If you are curious about what orange wine is then checkout Wine Folly's description. I would definitively describe this orange wine as being bold, with a very distinct expression.

5. Crama Bauer, Merlot 2014

Crama Bauer, Merlot 2014 © Spaswinefood

Crama Bauer, Merlot 2014 © Spaswinefood

After tasting five Bauer wines produced from local grape varieties and international grape varieties my first response is Crama Bauer wines are unique. Given that each of these wines are made in such limited editions the focus is obviously on quality. Try them if you get a chance. I so enjoyed discovering these new Romanian wines.

Wine Tasting, Crama Bauer © Spaswinefood

It is because of wineries like Crama Bauer that the Dragasani will continue to be one of the best known wine areas in Southern Romania. I was indeed most fortunate to visit the Dragasani prior to the #Winelover Hangout in Bucharest. Without doubt given its amazing viticultural history, distinct native grape varieties, modern wineries, and such talented, inquiry focused winemakers the future of Dragasani is indeed promising. I invite you to join me in my travels in Romania and elsewhere at Spaswinefood. I would like to give special thanks to Razvan Stoenescu and George Wine, for being such wonderful hosts during our vine-filled explorations in Romania.

Sharon

August 2016

Dragasani, Romania

© Spaswinefood


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