One day, Two Wineries – Romanian Wine Escapes

Tour Details

Full day trip, 2 wineries

Sip & Trip

One-day escape to the Dealu’ Mare wine region, 90 minutes away from Romania’s capital of Bucharest. Visit of a historical landmark (e.g. Bellu Mansion) and 2 wine tastings at award-winning wineries (e.g Licorna Winehouse, Apogeum Winery) with 10 iconic wines representing the Dealu Mare terroir.

Romania’s best known and prized wine district, Dealu Mare, lies in the broader Muntenia and Oltenia Hills wine region, stretching for more than 65 km across the counties of Prahova and Buzău. While the region is considered one of the most compact in the country, with vineyards bordering each other, scenic hill after scenic hill, it still encompasses 7 distinct viticultural centers, which can be explored individually or in combinations of two during Romanian Wine Escapes’ full-day Sip&Trip.

Evidence of a rich cultural and winemaking heritage, dating back more than 2000 years, dots the picturesque landscape. The estates and mansions of nobles and large landowners, museums of local traditions or winemaking (such as Muzeul Crama 1776, in translation the 1776 Winery Museum), beautiful winery buildings in a range of architectural styles, and excellent restaurants are highlights of this region, known broadly as the “Romanian Wine Road”.

This blend of accessibility, quality wine making, breathtaking nature and a storied past make Dealu Mare a must-visit destination for wine lovers and curious tourists alike. A variety of tastings, vineyard tours and gastronomic experiences can be included in a custom Sip&Trip with the group offers of Romanian Wine Escapes, but standard, sign-up Sip&Trip tours are offered at regular intervals, providing a memorable experience for the solo or couple travelers.

Description of a typical tour:

A private guide will pick tourists up from their hotel (08:30 AM).
The first stop will be the Bellu Mansion in Urlați, Prahova County, only 1.5 hours drive from Bucharest (circa 10:00 AM). The Bellu Mansion, also known as the Bellu Manor Museum, was built in the 19th century by the eponymous Bellu family, one of Romania's most influential aristocratic families, known for its patronage of the arts. Notable members included Alexandru Bellu, a reputable collector, photographer, and contributor to the Romanian art scene. The mansion showcases the lavish lifestyle of 19th-century Romanian nobility. The building is an example of neo-Romanian architecture, featuring wooden porches, intricate carvings, and traditional elements. This elegant landmark is now a popular museum, housing an impressive collection of antique furniture, traditional Romanian art, old books, and personal belongings of the Bellu family. Vintage photographs taken by Alexandru Bellu offer a fascinating glimpse into Romania’s past. The Bellu Manor Museum is surrounded by a picturesque park, adding to its charm and historical ambiance. Visitors will spend approximately 2 hours in this attraction-rich location, after which they will be traveling to the first winery, a 30-minute scenic drive away.

Wine takes center place on the second stop of the Sip&Trip escape, Licorna Winehouse (circa 12:30 PM). The winery, located in the middle of its vineyards on the slopes and valleys of Istrița Hill, benefits from a charming view of the entire area. This medium-sized winery opened in 2013 on the old estate of the Nicolau family, in a manor erected from 1907 to 1909 by Italian stonemasons, brought in by the owners to teach stone carving to local builders.

The descendants of the Nicolau family, husband and wife team Nicolae and Elena, established the winery to combine winemaking and hospitality, taking advantage of their significant experience as owners of a string of hotels along the Prahova River valley, including upstream in the Carpathian Mountains. Licorna’s identity is based on blending the quality of the wine with the quality of the services, and of the interaction with its visitors. As one of the first in Romania to have opened its doors to tourism, the winery is renowned for openness and accessibility, and for its commitment to providing nuanced, pleasurable experiences for everyone.

During their visit, Sip&Trip participants will see two structures, the old estate house, where wines intended for aging are kept, and the new production complex, with a modern, streamlined wine production line. A tasting of 5 Licorna wines will follow, showcasing the premium wines that the winery is known for. The winery is understandably proud of its award-winning wines, the work of one of the most promising oenologists of the Romanian new generation - Gabriel Lăcureanu, who makes excellent, memorable wines from local varieties such as Fetească Albă, Fetească Regală, Tămâioasă Românească and Fetească Neagră, as well as international red varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, and whites such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. 3 hours will pass in the company of Licorna’s knowledgeable and hospitable staff, and their unforgettable wines, after which a short, 10-minute ride in the tour van will take visitors to the second winery.

The third and last stop of the day is the former Tohani Mansion, now known as Apogeum Mansion, in the nearby village of Tohani, Gura Vadului. (circa 16:00 PM). The house sommelier will welcome visitors to this history and flavor rich location, taking them on a tour of its past, its present and its well-loved wines. Among the highlights, the amphoras where they produce the famous Fetească Neagră Apogeum, the 100-year-old cellar where bottles are kept for aging, and the common spaces of the mansion. This elegant estate was once a princely residence, one of the homes of Prince Nicolae, the fourth child of King Ferdinand and Queen Maria of Romania, and brother to King Carol II.

The Prince lived a beautiful (and slightly scandalous) love story with Ioana Dumitrescu Doletti, the daughter of Iorgu Dumitrescu from Tohani. The two married on October 28, 1931, violating the Statute of the Royal House, and the ceremony took place in Tohani. Apogeum Winery preserves original page from the civil register, where both the Prince’s and Ioana Doletti’s signatures appear. The Tohani building deteriorated during communism, and intensive restoration was needed before it was re-inaugurated in the autumn of 2018, and renamed Apogeum Mansion, taking its name from the winery and its most famous and valuable wine, made from Fetească Neagră. History, vines, wine and a look to the future combine to make a visit to Apogeum Mansion a beautiful experience.

A simple walk through the courtyard of the estate becomes an incursion into the past, and the glamourous old times are reflected in the Mansion’s five rooms and the royal apartment, which illustrate the nobles’ lifestyle in the 1930s through rich architectural details, furniture and accents, carefully preserved across the common spaces. The restaurant showcases elegant tableware, impressive chandeliers, contemporary portraits of members of the Royal House, a fireplace that burns beautifully in the cold season and a fantastic view over the vineyard. The visit includes a tasting of 5 wines, including the rare, expensive and famous Fetească Neagră Apogeum.

Apogeum is obtained by 2000-year-old methods from an old vineyard, especially arranged and cared for. The production is small (5-6 tons/ha), and the grapes are harvested manually. The use of clay amphorae, natural yeasts, manual reassembly of musts, slow, long-lasting fermentation-maceration, and extensive aging (24 months in barrels, another 12 months in the bottle) yields an elegant, mature wine, with an explosion of aromas and flavors.

The aromas of plum, and plum jelly, forest berries, blackcurrants, marry the ones imparted by oak -vanilla, chocolate, coffee – and the soft, velvety tannins augment the value of this noble and precious wine.

Apogeum carries a strong emotional and personal charge. A signature wine, this Fetească Neagră, awarded on four continents is the culmination of the lifelong work of Virgil Mândru, the owner of APOGEUM Winery.

Virgil Mândru - Apogeum Mansion and Winery, Gura Vadului, Prahova County

"I love Feteasca Neagră because it resembles the Romanian people so much: something that very few believe in yet hiding a huge potential. Fifteen years ago, when I set out to obtain the best Fetească Neagră, people considered me a crazy romantic. What was the status of Fetească Neagră back then? A low-end local variety that nobody expected anything from. Yet I continued to work and believe in it. Today, it is with immense joy that I sign APOGEUM, a Fetească Neagră in its fifth year, created in the heart of Dealu Mare region, from a 50-year-old vine. With recognition and medals on three continents, APOGEUM is produced in a unique way in Romania, in ceramic amphoras located on the former estate of Prince Nicolae of Romania. I dedicate this wine to the Romanian people, to its hidden genius; and I also dedicate it – I must admit – to my stubbornness."

Visitors will spend 2 hours in these unique surroundings, after which they will reembark the van for the 90-minute trip back to Bucharest, returning around 20:00 – 20:30 PM.

What's included:

Transportation by minivan
Private guide to Bellu Mansion
Entrance fees to Bellu Mansion
Winery tour by the wine specialist in charge at Licorna Winehouse
Wine tasting of 5 wines at Licorna Winehouse (2 whites, 1 rosé and 2 reds)
Lunch: barbeque mixed grill & salad (a vegetarian option is available on request) at Licorna Winehouse, drinks included (water & coffee)
Winery tour by the wine specialist in charge at Apogeum Winery
Wine tasting of 5 wines at Apogeum Winery (2 whites, 1 rosé and 2 reds – one is the famous Fetească Neagră Apogeum)
Mixed plate of cheeses and charcuterie meats
Private guide during the day
1 bottle of 0,5 l of water per person (on the minivan)

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Tour Details

Full day trip, 2 wineries

Sip & Trip

Sip & Trip

Description of a typical tour:

Virgil Mândru - Apogeum Mansion and Winery, Gura Vadului, Prahova County

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