#Winelovers discover Dragasani: Romania's Napa Valley

Romania's Dragasani is a wine producing area that some describe as the Napa Valley of Romania. Others have compared the area to Tuscany. Such comparisons speak to the fact that these days the Dragasani is buzzing with excitement, with new vineyards and wineries being established/re-established. Romania has had a long tradition of wine making, dating back 4000 years. While its winemaking tradition was stifled under communist occupation, since the 1989 revolution Romania is emerging star in the wine world. Clearly the Dragasani is part of this rebirth. Here is what I discovered when Spaswinefood recently visited.

Avincis Vineyard, Dragasani © Spaswinefood

Crama Avincis, Dragasani © Spaswinefood

#Winelovers Discover Today's Dragasani
Southern Romania's Dragasani was one the areas that I visited prior to the #Winelover Hangout in Bucharest. During my visit I not only saw vineyards and wineries being established/re-established but also learnt about its viticultural history. One of the most significant people in Dragasani's viticultural history was Prince Stirbey. His family established vineyards in the area over 300 years ago. It was Prince Stirbey who was instrumental in restoring Dragasani's vineyards after destruction by phylloxera. Dragasani wines were highly regarded in Europe until the communist occupation.

Since the revolution the Dragasani area has experienced a rebirth. In 2001 Prince Stirbey's granddaughter, Baroness Ilena Kripp-Costinescu and her husband Jakob Kripp began to re-establish the family's vineyards. Other similar stories of families with Dragasani roots have also unfolded, as Dragasani re-establishes its presence in the Romanian wine world. One example is Cristiana Stoica and her husband Valeriu who established Crama Avincis in 2007. In addition newcomers have established wineries, such as Crama Bauer in 2012. This wine area is indeed buzzing with excitement.

Crama Stirbey Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Just in case you are wondering where Dragasani is located. First, Romania has seven wine regions: (1) Transylvania (center of the country), (2) Moldova (north east), (3) Crisana and Maramures (west central and north), (4) Muntenia and Oltenia (south), (5) Banat (west), (6) Southern Sands and Danube Terraces (south) and (7) Dobrogea (south east); with each of these regions containing a number of sub regions. The Muntenia and Oltenia in Southern Romania is where Dragasani is located.

Travels to the Dragasani © Spaswinefood

Before arriving in Dragasani we toured two wineries in the Oltenia wine region, Domeniul Coroanei, Segarcea near Criova, and Domeniile Mennini, Colibasi. We also had wonderful gastronomic experiences at Epoch, Criova and the Blue Window, Slatina. While in Dragasani where we visited three wineries: Crama Bauer, Crama Stirbey and Crama Avincis. For now I will provide a few brief highlights. I will write more on these wineries later.

Crama Bauer
Our first stop was at Crama Bauer, a new winery, right next door to the historical Crama Stirbey. The one thing that both of these wineries have in common is winemaker, Oliver Bauer. He makes wine at both wineries.

#Winelovers, Crama Bauer © Spaswinefood

The Bauer wines are unique. Try them if you get a chance.

Crama Bauer Wines © Spaswinefood

This is an exciting young winery with a new approach to winemaking. Its philosophy is "Natural Creativity".

Crama Stirbey

At Crama Stirbey we were introduced to its rich, historical past and tasted another exciting lineup of wines. Each wine is made using a single grape variety.

Crama Stirbey Wines © Spaswinefood

I loved this place, with its amazing wines and hospitality and great views.

#Winelover Just Chilling, Crama Stirbey  © Spaswinefood

It is rare for me to meet such a gracious person as Baroness Ilena Kripp-Costinescu.

Baroness Ilena Kripp-Costinescu, Winelover Razvan Stoenescu © Spaswinefood

Spending time with winemaker Bauer was also a delight.

Oliver Bauer, Winemaker © Spaswinefood

Wine enthusiasts who visits these two wineries will not be disappointed.

Crama Avincis

We were most fortunate to spend the night at Crama Avincis, which is a perfect set-up for enotourists. At Crama Avincis our host was Ghislain Moritz, Oenologist. Here we toured the winery and vineyards, did a wine tasting, and dined in the restaurant. 

Taking in the Views, Crama Avincis © Spaswinefood

I so enjoyed the views from Avincis vineyard.

August Grapes, Crama Avincis © Spaswinefood

The wine tasting was an opportunity to learn out the Avincis wines with Ghislain Moritz, Oenologist.

Wine Tasting, Crama Avincis © Spaswinefood

We spent the night at Crama Avincis, which is well equipped for wine tourism. I would highly recommend Crama Avincis, as a place to stay. 

Late Evening, Crama Avincis © Spaswinefood

Delightful Stay at Crama Avincis © Spaswinefood

It hard to imagine what the Dragasani wine world would have been today had it not had to endure occupation. Moreover, given all the excitement in Dragasani today, it is a wine area to watch.

Return to Bucharest

The Dragasani is ideally located for wine explorations in Southern Romania. In fact driving back from the Dragasani to Bucharest we stopped at Vinarte Bolovanu.

Wine tasting, Vinarte Bolovanu © Spaswinefood

For those interested in an historical perspective checkout an article focused on the Dragasani Museum and the rich viticultural history of the area. The article also describes what needs to happen for this area to flourish again. Will Dragasani become the Napa Valley of Romania? Clearly that remains to be seen. Perhaps this description speaks more to where Dragasani is headed than where it is right now. Without doubt given its amazing viticultural history, native grape varieties, modern wineries and talented 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 Spaswinefood’s vine-filled explorations in Romania.

Sharon

August 2016

Dragasani, Romania

© Spaswinefood

August Grapes, Dragasani © Spaswinefood


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