Avincis: A key player in the Dragasani's rebirth

It was the end of the day when we arrived at Avincis winery in Romania's Dragasani, an area that has had a long tradition of wine making. Cristiana Stoica and her husband Valeriu established Crama Avincis in 2007 to continue a family tradition. Today REVINO describes Avincis as a symbol for the revival of Romanian wine. We were most fortunate to visit Avincis, a key player in Dragasani’s rebirth, during our recent Spaswinefood travels.

Top Views from Avincis Winery © Spaswinefood

Avincis: A Place of Rebirth

Avincis winery designed by Alexandru Beldiman is a stunning, modern winery that is well integrated into the surrounding landscape. The winery sits, like a ship, on the Dobrusa Hill surrounded by a spectacular vineyard of 40 hectares. In fact the vineyard covers the hill and extends into the surrounding valleys. The family manor has been restored in the Brancovenesc style, of the beginning 20th century. Moreover, welcomed news for the enotourist is that Avincis offers accommodations Vila Dobrusa.

Avincis Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Late August, Avincis Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Ghislain Moritz, Oenologist was the host during our visit. Moritz, a graduate of the University of Dijon, with work experience in France and Portugal, also brings passion to Avincis winemaking. It was a pleasure to spend time with him. During our stay at Vila we toured the winery and vineyard, did a wine tasting, and dined in the restaurant. Crama Avincis spectacular Dobrusa Hill vineyard includes indigenous grapes varieties, such as Tămâioasă Românească, Negru de Drăgăşani, Fetească Regală and Crâmpoşie Selecţionată. Whereas the international grapes varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Muscat Ottonel. Great care was taken in planting these varieties in specific vineyard locations to maximize their growing conditions.

Harvest is Near, Avincis Winery © Spaswinefood

Time for Avincis Wines and Food
This modern winery has a relaxing setting for wine tasting and dining.

Avincis Winery Restaurant/Tasting Room © Spaswinefood

I enjoyed our wine tasting with #winelover friends.

Avincis Wine Tasting © Spaswinefood

The following are amongst the Avincis wines we tasted:

Avincis, Crâmpoşie Selecţionată 2015

Avincis, Crâmpoşie Selecţionată 2015 © Spaswinefood

Avincis, Fetească Regală Pinot Gris 2013

Avincis, Fetească Regală Pinot Gris 2013 © Spaswinefood

Not only was it enjoyable to taste with #winelover friends but also having the winemaker there was a bonus.

Winemaker Time, Avincis Winery © Spaswinefood

Avincis, Cuvée Andrei Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Avincis, Cuvée Andrei Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 © Spaswinefood

Avincis, Negru de Drăgăşani 2012

Avincis, Negru de Drăgăşani 2012 © Spaswinefood

Over dinner that evening we tasted more Avincis wines.

Avincis, Cuvée Petit Sauvignon Blanc 2013 

Avincis, Cuvée Petit Sauvignon Blanc 2013 © Spaswinefood

Let's take a peek at some of the food we enjoyed.

Quiche, Avincis Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Cheese, Avincis Restaurant  © Spaswinefood

Salad, Avincis Restaurant  © Spaswinefood

Avincis, Merlot 2011

Avincis, Merlot 2011 © Spaswinefood

There were few more foodie delights.

Meat Entrée, Avincis  © Spaswinefood

Yes, there was a vegetarian entrée.

Vegetarian Entrée, Avincis © Spaswinefood

During our stay at Avincis we sampled some great wines both during the wine tasting and with food. Obviously, the wines made with the local grape varieties, like Crâmpoşie Selecţionată, Fetească Regală, and Negru de Drăgăşani were the ones that made my day.

Dragasani wines were highly regarded in Europe until the communist occupation. While that tradition was stifled under communist occupation, since the 1989 revolution clearly the Dragasani is undergoing a rebirth. Although Avincis is a young winery it is already beginning to establish a track record of award winning wines at national and international levels. It is well on its way to achieving its dream of putting Romanian wines back on the international map of wines.

A Showcase for Dragasani Enotourism

Dragasani visitors will soon discover that Avincis is well equipped for wine tourism. I would highly recommend Avincis Vila Dobrusa, as a place to stay. 

Vila Dobrusa, Avincis  © Spaswinefood

Avincis Vila Dobrusa © Spaswinefood

Places like Avincis is why some describe the Dragasani 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 like Avincis being established/re-established.

View of Family Manor, Avincis Restaurant © Spaswinefood

Restored Family Manor, Avincis © Spaswinefood

Avincis Family Manor © Spaswinefood

It is not hard to imagine what the Dragasani wine world would have been today had it not had to endure communist occupation. Without doubt given its amazing viticultural history, native grape varieties, modern wineries and talented winemakers, like Moritz, the future of Dragasani is indeed promising.

We were most fortunate to visit Avincis, which is not only a perfect set-up for enotourists but also an excellent place to experience wine making in today's Dragasani. After touring Southern Romania's Dragasani it was onto the #Winelover Hangout in Bucharest. I invite you to join me in my travels in Romania and elsewhere at Spaswinefood. I would like to give special thanks to Ghislain Moritz for being such an awesome host during our Avincis visit. Let me also acknowledge Razvan Stoenescu and George Wine, who were such wonderful hosts during Spaswinefood’s vine-filled explorations in Romania.

Sharon

August 2016

Dragasani, Romania

© Spaswinefood

Grapes Awaiting Harvest, Avincis © Spaswinefood


Follow me on Twitter and Facebook