Romania has been making wine for thousands of years, yet most drinkers could not name a single Romanian bottle. That is starting to change. Sitting on the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles jury in Constanta this spring, I tasted my way through a country that is quietly reinventing itself in the glass: ancient grapes with names you cannot pronounce yet, terroir shaped by the Carpathians and the Black Sea, and a new generation of winemakers who finally trust their own roots. This guide walks you through all of it, region by region, grape by grape.
Being part of the jury at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, I will travel to different countries, judge wines there that were sent in by many winegrowers from all over the world. In this case, I was part of the Rosé contest held in Constanta, Romania in March 2025.
In the shadow of the Carpathians and along the whispering, stormy shores of the Black Sea, a quiet revolution is uncorking. Those stormy Black Sea shores are where I found myself when I visited the Dobrogea region that lies alongside the coast. Romania, long a land of ancestral vineyards and untamed terroir, is stepping back into the global spotlight, not with fanfare, but with craft, care, and a fierce respect for its roots. Here, ancient grape varieties like Fetească Neagră and Crâmpoșie Selecționată share cellar space with international stars, interpreted through a distinctly Romanian lens. Driven by a new generation of vintners, curious, creative, and deeply connected to the land, Romania's wine culture is blossoming with fresh energy while honouring centuries of tradition. This is not just a revival; it's a renaissance that can be discovered in every glass.
This article will be more of a general overview about Romania as a winegrowing country, I will explain its main terroir, climate and geography, as well as mentioning its main local grape varieties, and of course talk about its different growing regions the country is known for. If you want to discover more about the Dobrogea region of Romania, you can read my article "Into Murfatlar", or read my article "A Morning in Constanța and a Table from Transylvania" when you want to know more about Transylvanian wines.
Geography and Climate: Where Romania Grows Wine
Romania is located between the 44° to 47° parallel of the Northern Hemisphere, at the crossroad of Eastern and Southeastern Europe, neighbouring the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to the north and northeast, and Hungary to the west, Bulgaria and Serbia to the south. On the east, Romania borders the Black Sea.
Romania has a diverse landscape where the mid and western parts of the country host the Carpathian mountains, and going further towards the Black Sea the countryside flattens and you will find quite the agricultural lands that stretch as far as the eyes can see.
Its geography is roughly evenly divided between:
- Mountains: 31%, with elevations greater than 2,400 metres,
- Hills: 33%, with elevations between 200 and 800 metres,
- And the plains: 36%, mainly found on the east side of Romania.
The landscape is centred on the arc of the Carpathian Mountains, to which the region of Transylvania is in the midst of the arc.
The overall climate in Romania can be said to be a moderate continental climate, with warm summers of an average of 23.5°C to relatively harsh winters. The climate is heavily influenced by the Carpathian mountains that cover about 31% of the country's land area. It blocks the polar and Siberian air masses that come in from the Northern and North-Eastern territories. The lack of rainfall in the regions can cause extreme periods of drought during the summer, it is as low as 540mm.
Romania's Wine Regions: Climate Zones, DOCs and IGTs
The country has quite the history when we look back into the old wine producing countries, Romania is one of them. Romania has three distinct climate zones:
- The Intra-Carpathian Plateau (central Romania)
- The Carpathian Foothills (southern Romania)
- The Pontic-Danubian Area (northern Romania)
These distinct climate zones are divided into 8 growing regions:
- Transylvanian Plateau,
- Crișana and Maramureș,
- Moldovan Hills,
- Muntenian and Oltenia Hills,
- Hills of Banat,
- Hills of Dobrogea,
- Danube Terraces,
- Sands and other Favourable lands.
These uphold in total 33 registered DOCs and 12 IGTs, which cover a total of 187,000 hectares* of vineyard area in 2024. That vineyard area now makes Romania the 8th largest in the world, while it holds 6th place for wine production in Europe. This all with about 356 registered producers.
*This article was updated in August 2026 with Romania's latest 2024 vineyard figures from the OIV.
Winemaking and Grape Varieties: Indigenous Meets International
Winemaking in Romania has seen an insurge of money sponsored by the European Union, to which the wineries are able to afford all the latest and newest technologies there are in winemaking technology. Wines are being made in stainless steel tanks to preserve the freshness of the variety, or can be fermented and aged in oak barrels, new or used oak. Often using Romanian oak, since they believe that it is 'the best' oak for their native varieties.
At first, red wines that are aged on Romanian oak are almost undrinkable for the first six months, since the oak is too persuasive, but after that period the oak becomes well integrated in the wine, smoothing things over, and it can take the wines to a whole new level of experience when it comes to tasting the reds of Romania.
During the communism era, wineries in the Dobrogea region were advised to plant a lot of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon because these were the "premium" varieties that make good wine, and so a lot of wineries are still today producing a lot of wines from international varieties. As of quite recently the wineries are turning their heads and are more and more focussing on their own local varieties, since that will make their wines unique, looking back at their own heritage in wine, which goes back a long time.
At the heart of Romania's winemaking renaissance lies its deep respect for tradition. Centuries-old grape varieties, once nearly driven to extinction by imported vines and industrialization, are now proudly reclaiming their place in the vineyards again, as they should in my opinion. We can drink a Chardonnay from anywhere in the world, but it is those indigenous varieties that are way more exciting to discover. Indigenous grapes like Fetească Albă, Fetească Regală, and Băbească Neagră are being nurtured with fresh intention, often grown in the same plots their ancestors once clung to. Winemakers are turning back to time-honoured methods: spontaneous fermentation, aging in local oak, and hand-harvesting in small lots. But this reverence for the past isn't nostalgia, it's a recalibration, where the soul of Romanian wine is preserved, even as the techniques evolve.
Leading varieties are:
- Feteasca Regala, 12,037 ha
- Feteasca Alba, 11,776 ha
- Merlot, 10,866 ha
- Riesling Italico, 5,557 ha
- Cabernet Sauvignon, 5,282 ha
- Feteasca Neagra, 3,405 ha
The Fetească varieties are the most known Romanian varieties, and the country is famous for them. I've tasted quite a lot of different wines from all three Fetească varieties during my time spent in Romania. If you want more detailed information about the Fetească varieties, then read my article on them here.
Romania's Wine Regions Explained, One by One
If you want to discover more about the Dobrogea region of Romania, you can read my article "Into Murfatlar", or read my article "A Morning in Constanța and a Table from Transylvania" when you want to know more about Transylvanian wines.
Terroir, too, plays a pivotal role in Romania's transformation as we look at Romania today. With its diverse geography, ranging from the windswept plateaus of Moldavia to the mineral-rich soils of Dobrogea, the country offers a mosaic of microclimates few regions can rival. Each glass becomes a portrait of place: crisp whites shaped by the cool mists of Transylvania, robust reds nurtured by the heat of Oltenia, delicate aromatics from the Danube Delta. Rather than compete with global styles, Romanian winemakers are leaning into the uniqueness of their landscapes, allowing nature to guide expression. Combined with an unrelenting spirit, tenacity forged through decades of political upheaval, economic hardship, and climatic unpredictability, this new generation of vintners is crafting wines that speak not just of place, but of perseverance.
Below you will find some more detailed information on all the wine growing regions of Romania.
Crișana and Maramureș Hills
Located northwest of Transylvania, the region has seen centuries of cultural interchange with neighbouring Hungary. The Crișana and Maramureș wine region covers the territory of Satu Mare, Salaj, Bihor and Arad counties (north of Mures). Crișana, a historical province of Romania, was part of the Partium region, together with Maramureș and Satmar. The Partium land meant the "parts" of Hungary, joined after 1526 to the historical core of the Transylvanian Podis, constituting together the Principality of Transylvania. In this context, the wines produced in this area became the favourite of the Austro-Hungarian Imperial meals.
It hosts 2 PDOs, of which DOP Crișana, also having three sub-regions (Biharia, Simleu Silvaniei and Diosig); the other is DOP Minis. The region also has 3 registered IGPs: Dealurile Satmarului, Dealurile Crisanei, Dealurile Zarandului.
The climate is more continental, with long and warm autumns. Soils range from volcanic to shale, limestone, gravel, clay, and iron oxide.
The main grape varieties grown here are: Fetească Albă, Fetească Regală, Furmint, Cadarcă, Mustoasă de Măderat, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir.
Banat
In the west of the country, bordering Serbia and Hungary, you'll find the region of Banat. One of the smallest wine regions of Romania, dispersed and cultivated on narrow surfaces, located in the south-west of Romania. The term "banat" refers to a border province governed by a ban (in Hungarian Bánság). Here Romanians, Serbs, Hungarians and Schwabians live together in harmony. A moderate continental climate influences this part of Romania's vineyards, with Mediterranean and Adriatic influences, cooler than the rest of the country.
The region of Banat hosts 2 PDOs, Recas and Banat, of which DOP Banat; it also has 3 sub-regions (Moldova Noua, Dealurile Tirolului and Silagiu). The region also has 2 registered IGPs: Viile Timisului, Viile Carasului.
The main grape varieties grown here are: Fetească Regală, Cadarcă, Mustoasă de Măderat, Furmint, Fetească Neagră, Merlot, Riesling Italico, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Transylvanian Plateau
During our stay in Dobrogea, several producers from Transylvania were also represented, which gave us quite the understanding of the diversity Romania has to offer in terms of wine. On the last tasting day, several producers from Transylvania hosted our lunch and presented their wines to the judges.
A region that is likely to be more known for the darker parts of its history, read all about it in my article "A Morning in Constanța and a Table from Transylvania". Before you get swept away in a story that is as blood red coloured as some of the wines, let me share some more insight about the Transylvanian Plateau wine-growing region first.
It is a high central plateau surrounded by the Carpathian mountains, reaching up to 500m above sea level. So you can imagine that the wines here have more distinct acidity and more fresh fruit characteristics than those further down the eastern coast. The region covers over 6,000 hectares of vineyards. A cooler climate that historically favours white grape varieties. Unique winemaking styles, with saxon-hungarian influences.
The climatic changes of the last decades have also favoured the elaboration of particularly expressive and recognizable red wines, which have already been awarded at various national and international competitions. An area where we find the famous fortified churches, countless castles that once belonged to the groves, ruins of medieval fortresses and even fortresses inhabited today, such as Sighișoara and the Cetatea de Balta, Transylvania brings along with its history a plethora of remarkable wines.
The region hosts:
- 6 DOPs: DOP Aiud, DOP Alba-Iulia, DOP Sebeş-Apold, DOP Lechinţa, DOP Jidvei, DOP Târnave (sub-regions Blaj or Medias; it also hosts two designated wine centres, Zagăr and Valea Nirajului)
- 1 IGP: IGP Dealurile Transilvaniei
The region of Transylvania has seen German influences over the centuries, and that is why you'll find a lot of German (related) varieties still grown here, as well as the Hungarian Furmint. Main varieties: Chardonnay, Fetească Albă, Fetească Regală, Furmint, Iordana, Kerner, Muscat Ottonel, Neuburger, Petit Manseng, Pinot Gris, Rhein Riesling, Riesling Italico, Sauvignon Blanc, Traminer Aromat, Traminer roz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fetească Neagră, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zweigelt.
Moldovan Hills
Moldova is the largest wine-growing region in Romania and one of the largest in Europe even. The nine vineyards and the eight independent wine-growing centres occupy the predominantly hilly area between the Subcarpathians of Moldavia, the curving Carpathians, the Prut valley and the lower Siret valley. Moldova's vineyards produce a wide range of wine products, from still and sparkling wines to ageing wines.
It hosts 9 PDOs, of which DOP Husi (with a sub-region, Vutcani); the others are Iasi, Bohotin, Cotnari, Dealu Bujorului, Panciu, Odobesti, Cotesti, and Iana. The region also has 2 registered IGPs: Dealurile Moldovei and Dealurile Vrancei.
The Moldovan Hills cover about 70,000 hectares. The region extends east of the Eastern Carpathians, across hundreds of kilometres. Vineyards are strategically planted on south- and southwest-facing terraces, to shield them from harsh northerly winds, at elevations ranging from 200 to 500 metres. One of the sunniest regions, having over 2,000 hours annually, and rainfall of around 500mm per year.
The main grape varieties grown here are: Grasă de Cotnari, Frâncușă, Șarbă, Plăvaie, Fetească Neagră, and Busuioacă de Bohotin.
Muntenia and Oltenia Hills
Covers a large area south of the Carpathians. The climate is temperate continental, with hot summers and pleasant autumns. Favourable sun exposure, abundant mineral resources, and a low annual rainfall average. A region driven by small, independent estates, producing both red and white still wines with wide international acclaim.
Muntenia viticola brings together the hilly area of the Getic Subcarpathians and the curving Subcarpathians, with the more gentle slopes exposed to the sun all day long and along the rivers that spring from the mountains or cross the Carpathians: Olt, Arges, Dambovita, Prahova and Buzau. The Dealu Mare area is, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, the epicentre of quality wines in Romania.
Oltenia, a region known for its island vineyards, is known for its diversity in grape varieties of national and international origin. Both hybrids as well as ancestral Romanian varieties, which have survived the phylloxera infestation, because of the sandy soils that the vineyards have here.
The PDOs of Muntenia and Oltenia Hills
- Muntenia hosts 3 PDOs, Pietroasa, Stefanesti and Dealu Mare, of which DOP Dealu Mare; it also has 8 sub-regions (Boldesti, Valea Calugareasca, Urlati, Ceptura, Tohani, Breaza, Merei, Zoresti).
- Oltenia hosts 5 PDOs, Dragasani, Samburesti, Banu Maracine, Segarcea and Mehedinti, of which DOP Mehedinti; it also has 5 sub-regions (Severin, Corcova, Golul Drincei, Vanju Mare, Orevita). The region also has 1 registered IGP: Dealurile Olteniei.
The main grape varieties grown here are: Chardonnay, Fetească Albă, Fetească Regală, Tămâioasă Românească, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fetească Neagră, Negru de Drăgășani, Nova and Pinot Noir.
Dobrogea
The region that hosted the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles Rosé Competition in March 2025. We flew over Bucharest and drove about 1.5 hours on long, endless highways all the way to Constanta, a harbour city on the coast of the Black Sea. A few of us from our tasting table spent every morning looking at the rough seas the first days we were there. The Dobrogea region can be found in the south-eastern part of Romania. Want to find out how you can spend your time in Dobrogea? You can read it in my article "The Black Sea, Alira and the Dobrogean Coast".
The region of Dobrogea, Sands and Danube Terraces, overall has a warm climate, with moderating maritime influences. Deficient rainfall and up to 300 days of sunshine per year, except for the days we were attending the region apparently. Hardly any sun to be detected, haha. It is bordered by the Macin Mountains. With areas of alluvial hills, Dobrogea is a true treasure trove of microclimates, hence the multitude of designations of origin that define the particularities of each geographical indication. The region hosts:
- 6 DOPs: DOP Adamclisi, DOP Babadag, DOP Murfatlar, DOP Oltina, DOP Sarica Niculitel, DOP Insuratei
- 2 IGPs: IGP Colinele Dobrogei, IGP Terasele Dunarii
Traditionally the region is known for its dry white wines, rosé and sweet whites. It has a broad variety of grapes grown within the region: Aligoté, Chardonnay, Fetească albă, Fetească regală, Muscat Ottonel, Pinot gris, Băbească neagră, Fetească neagră, Pinot noir, Syrah.
Danube Terraces
Being the smallest wine region of Romania, covering just under 400 hectares, it extends like a ribbon along the lower banks of the Danube river. Due to its terroir and unique landscape, grape varieties, and winemaking methods, it is becoming known as one of the most diverse.
Its main grape varieties are: Aligoté, Chardonnay, Fetească Albă, Fetească Regală, Muscat Ottonel, Pinot Gris, Băbească Neagră, Fetească Neagră.
The New Voice of Romanian Wine
As Romania's vines dig deeper into the soil, so too does its wine culture root itself in a bold new identity, one shaped by tradition, terroir, and tenacity. From hand-tended hillside plots in Transylvania to sea-kissed vineyards in Dobrogea, winemakers are not just reviving old practices, they're reshaping them, blending ancestral knowledge with modern innovation. The result is a wine scene that feels both ancient and awakening, steeped in history yet alive with possibility.
Romanian wine is no longer a quiet whisper from the past, it's a voice gaining volume, clarity, and confidence on the world stage. And for those willing to listen (or sip), it's telling a story worth savouring, one bottle at a time.
Any questions related to this topic? Maybe you can find your answer here. Click here!
What wine regions does Romania have?
Romania has eight wine growing regions spread across three climate zones: the Transylvanian Plateau, Crișana and Maramureș, the Moldovan Hills, the Muntenia and Oltenia Hills, the Hills of Banat, the Hills of Dobrogea, the Danube Terraces, and the Sands and other favourable lands. Between them they hold 33 DOCs and 12 IGTs.
What are the main Romanian grape varieties?
Romania's signature grapes are its indigenous Fetească family: Fetească Regală and Fetească Albă for whites, and Fetească Neagră for reds, alongside natives such as Băbească Neagră, Grasă de Cotnari and Tămâioasă Românească. International varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling Italico are also widely planted.
Is Romania a big wine producer?
Yes. Romania is the 6th largest wine producer in Europe and has the 8th largest vineyard area in the world, with roughly 187,000 hectares of vineyards in 2024 and about 356 registered producers. It is also one of the oldest wine producing countries on the continent.
What is Fetească Neagră?
Fetească Neagră, meaning "black maiden", is Romania's flagship indigenous red grape, grown across about 3,405 hectares. It makes deeply coloured, spicy reds that age well, especially in Romanian oak, and it is one of the varieties driving the country's revival of native wine.
What is the climate like for Romanian wine?
Romania has a moderate continental climate, with warm summers averaging around 23.5°C and relatively harsh winters. The Carpathian mountains block cold polar and Siberian air, while low rainfall of around 540mm can bring summer drought, and the Black Sea moderates the coastal Dobrogea region.
Resources
- Oficiul Național al Viei și Produselor Vitivinicole (ONVPV), Romania's official vine and wine authority, for the country's DOC and IGP appellations and registered vineyard area. https://www.onvpv.ro
- Wines of Romania and Romania Tourism, on the country's native grape varieties and wine regions. https://romaniatourism.com/romanian-wines-made-from-native-grapes.html
- International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), State of the World Vine and Wine Sector, for Romania's ranking among the world's producing countries. https://www.oiv.int
- Revino Romania and Cramele Recas, publishers of the Romania vineyards wine map used in this article. https://www.revino.ro
Margot van Lieshout
Wine marketeer, sales expert with over 20 years in the trade, public speaker and international wine judge. Thousands of wines scored from Steiermark to Ningxia, and a trade she knows from the inside out. Wine with Margot is where she helps wine brands tell the stories that sell them.
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