From Bucharest: Exclusive Dealu Mare Wine Tasting Tour

Dealu Mare is Romania’s best answer to a classic European wine-country day. The route follows the Old Wine Road through rolling vineyard hills and old manors, then brings you to two very different wineries: modern Lacerta and family-run 1000 Chipuri. You taste 12 wines, with Romanian grapes such as Fetească Neagră taking center stage.

I like the contrast between the estates, and I like that the tastings come with cheese, cured meats, and dried fruit rather than a lonely row of glasses. The private format also gives you room to ask questions and set the pace. The catch is the price, $260 per person, and lunch is not included, so this is a special day rather than a cheap outing.

The guides are a major part of the appeal. Mihai, Bogdan, and Andrei have led this trip, and the strongest feedback focuses on their friendly company, local history, and flexibility. Book at least a day ahead, since winery access depends on reservations and occasional private closures.

Key points to know before you go

• Six wines at Lacerta: Tour a modern estate built around gravity-led winemaking, then taste six wines with cheese and charcuterie.
• Six more at 1000 Chipuri: The family-run winery offers a more personal setting, traditional food, and samples from barrels or steel tanks.
• Romanian grapes take the lead: Look for Fetească Neagră, Cabernet Franc, and Tămâioasă Românească.
• A full private day: Hotel pickup, private transport, and an English or Romanian-speaking guide are included in the 10-hour outing.
• Lunch costs extra: Set aside money for the traditional Romanian meal at the second winery.
• A strong guide record: Mihai, Bogdan, and Andrei are praised for their warmth, history lessons, and easygoing approach.

Why Dealu Mare makes a good Bucharest day trip

Romania has been making wine since the time of the ancient Dacians. Its vineyards gained wider notice in the 19th century, when Romanian wine reached royal tables in Britain and Russia.

The industry then took a hard turn under communism. Large-volume production mattered more than careful vineyard work, and quality suffered. Since 1989, winemakers have been rebuilding the craft, improving facilities, restoring local grape varieties, and earning fresh attention abroad. Romania is now the world’s 12th largest wine producer.

Dealu Mare is especially well suited to red wine. The region sits near the 45th parallel, the same broad latitude associated with several famous wine areas in Europe. You do not need to know much about grape chemistry to appreciate the result. The region is known for full, smooth reds, and the tasting lineup gives you a clear introduction to that style.

The road itself adds useful context. As you leave Bucharest, the day shifts from city traffic to vineyard country, with old estates and restored manors appearing along the historic Old Wine Road. The drive is part of the lesson: this is not a single cellar visit, but a look at a wine region with a long past and a newer, more ambitious future.

Lacerta Winery shows modern Romanian winemaking

Your first major stop is Lacerta, one of Dealu Mare’s more modern wineries. The design and process are firmly tied to current winemaking methods, but the goal is traditional: handle the grapes and wine gently.

One detail worth watching for is the use of gravity in the production process. Lacerta reduces pumping by allowing the wine to move through parts of the facility using natural downward flow. That may sound technical, but your guide can connect it to the glass in front of you. Less mechanical handling can help preserve the character of the wine.

The guided visit lasts about two and a half hours, giving this stop a substantial place in the day. You tour the facilities, hear about the path from grape to bottle, and then sit down to six wines.

This is a good first tasting because it gives you a reference point for the region. You can compare the reds as the tasting progresses, notice how oak changes a wine, and ask about the local varieties before reaching the smaller family winery later.

The food pairing is simple and useful. Local cheese and charcuterie keep the tasting grounded and help you manage twelve samples over the course of the day. They also show how Romanian wine works at the table, not just in a formal tasting room.

The setting is another reason to enjoy the first stop. The vineyard backdrop makes the visit feel connected to the place, rather than like a sales appointment in an industrial building. Still, keep your expectations realistic. This is a guided production tour, so the amount of time spent outdoors or wandering among vines can vary.

The 45-minute lunch break is useful, but not included

After Lacerta, you stop for lunch at a winery. The break lasts about 45 minutes and gives you time to eat before the second tasting.

Lunch is not included in the $260 price, and the tour description does not set out a fixed menu or cost. Plan for this as an extra expense. You can expect traditional Romanian flavors to be part of the meal setting, but you should not assume that every dish or drink is covered by the tasting package.

This is the one cost detail most likely to catch people off guard. The included food at both wineries covers cheese, cured meats, and dried fruit, but it does not replace lunch. If you are comparing this tour with a less expensive group outing, add the meal and consider the value of private transport and a private guide before making the comparison.

1000 Chipuri brings the personal side of wine

The second tasting takes place at 1000 Chipuri, a family-owned boutique winery. The scale changes here. Lacerta introduces a polished, modern operation, while 1000 Chipuri puts more attention on small-batch work and direct contact with the people making the wine.

The visit and tasting last about 105 minutes. You tour the winery, taste six more wines, and pair them with cheese, cured meats, and dried fruit. The shorter time works well after the longer first stop, especially if you want room for questions without turning the afternoon into a lecture.

A particularly useful feature is the chance to taste wine straight from oak barrels or stainless steel tanks. This lets you compare wine at different points in its development. It is a practical way to understand why the finished bottle may taste different from a young sample still changing in the cellar.

The lineup can include Fetească Neagră, one of Romania’s signature red grapes. It is the variety to pay attention to if you want something that feels tied to the country rather than simply another international Cabernet. Cabernet Franc may also appear, along with Tămâioasă Românească, a Romanian grape often compared with a dry Muscat.

Do not expect every sample to suit your taste. Twelve wines is a broad survey, and wine preferences are personal. The value is in the comparison. You can ask the guide or winery host which bottles work best with food, which are meant for aging, and which grape best represents Dealu Mare.

What the private format changes

Private transport and hotel pickup make this much easier than arranging the region on your own. You do not need to find two rural estates, coordinate reservations, or decide who will drive after a day of tasting.

The group is private, so the day can feel less hurried than a large coach trip. You can ask about Romanian wine, communism, local history, or another part of your Bucharest itinerary without waiting for a quiet moment. Guides who have led the outing include Mihai, Bogdan, and Andrei. The strongest praise centers on their friendly manner, clear explanations, and willingness to let the day follow your interests.

Mihai, in particular, is described as a down-to-earth companion who talks about wine and Romanian history without making the day feel formal. Bogdan has been praised for patience and helpfulness, including on a birthday outing. Andrei has been noted for allowing the group to shape the pace. Guide assignments can change, so treat those names as examples rather than a guarantee.

This is more than a ride between tasting rooms. The guide helps explain why the industry declined, how it has returned, and how wine fits into Romanian culture. That context gives the glasses in front of you more meaning.

Is $260 per person good value?

At $260 per person, this is not a budget wine trip. You are paying for a full 10-hour private day from Bucharest, hotel pickup and drop-off, private transport, an English or Romanian-speaking guide, two guided winery visits, and 12 listed wines.

You also receive food pairings at both wineries. That matters because a dozen tastings without food would make for a rough day, and the cheese, charcuterie, and dried fruit turn the visits into proper table experiences rather than quick samples.

Lunch is the main extra. You should also budget for any drinks or food beyond the included tastings. The price makes the most sense for couples, families, or small private groups who value convenience and personal attention more than finding the lowest possible rate.

It is less appealing if you want to visit many wineries in a single day, choose your own bottles without a guide, or spend most of your time hiking through vineyards. The schedule is built around two substantial visits, not a rapid checklist.

Who should book this day?

I would recommend it to anyone staying in Bucharest who enjoys wine but also wants a window into Romanian history and rural life. You do not need advanced wine knowledge. The guide and winery hosts provide enough explanation for a beginner, while the tank and barrel samples give experienced drinkers something concrete to compare.

It also suits a birthday or anniversary. The private vehicle, food pairings, scenic route, and relaxed winery settings give the day a celebratory feel without requiring a formal luxury package.

The tour is a good match for people who prefer conversation and detail. If you enjoy asking why a winery uses gravity instead of pumps, how a local grape differs from Cabernet, or what happened to Romanian wine after World War II, you will get more from it.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone who dislikes long day trips or has little interest in red wine. Dealu Mare is known especially for reds, and a 10-hour schedule is a serious commitment. The itinerary also includes a lot of seated tasting time, so it is not a broad sightseeing tour of Prahova.

Practical details that matter

The guide waits in your hotel lobby beside reception. If your accommodation has no lobby, the meeting point is at the entrance in front of the building. Pickup and drop-off are included for Bucharest accommodations.

The tour is available in English or Romanian. Reserve at least 24 hours ahead so the winery bookings can be arranged. Private events or seasonal operations can occasionally lead to a winery closure, so flexibility is sensible.

The full day lasts about 10 hours. The stated schedule includes 2.5 hours at Lacerta, 45 minutes for lunch, and 105 minutes at the second winery, with the remaining time used for driving and the Bucharest pickup and return.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start time when booking, since the schedule may change by date.

Should you book the Dealu Mare wine tour?

Book it if you want a polished, private introduction to Romanian wine without having to manage rural transport or winery reservations. The contrast between Lacerta and 1000 Chipuri is the strongest feature, and the combination of 12 wines, local food, and a guide who can explain Romania beyond the tasting room gives the day real substance.

Think twice if $260 feels high once you add lunch, or if you want a short excursion with only one tasting. For the right person, though, this is a satisfying Bucharest side trip: two serious wineries, distinctive Romanian grapes, a historic wine route, and enough time to enjoy the setting instead of rushing through it.

FAQ

How long does the Dealu Mare wine tour last?

The tour lasts about 10 hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off from Bucharest, travel between stops, winery visits, lunch time, and the return journey.

What wineries does the tour visit?

The scheduled wineries are Lacerta Winery and 1000 Chipuri Winery. Lacerta is a modern estate using gravity-led winemaking methods, while 1000 Chipuri is a family-owned boutique winery.

How many wines are included?

You taste 12 wines in total, six at each winery. The selection can include Fetească Neagră, Cabernet Franc, and Tămâioasă Românească.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch takes about 45 minutes and is purchased separately. Cheese, charcuterie, and dried fruit pairings at the two winery tastings are included.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Bucharest, private transport in a comfortable vehicle, and a licensed English or Romanian-speaking guide are included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.