We all know the wines of Southern Europe—but have you ever tasted what Eastern Europe has been quietly perfecting for centuries? If not, you might be surprised. The bouquet is rich, the traditions are old, and the hospitality is just as generous.
After exploring Hungary and Slovenia, two countries that blend alpine freshness with bold regional flavors, we now travel a little further east to continue this lesser-known gastronomic trail.
In Moldova and Romania, winemaking isn’t a trend—it’s a legacy. Here, vines grow on hills that have seen Romans march past, and cellars stretch underground for miles, storing barrels that breathe slowly through the seasons. The food is bold and comforting, shaped by a mix of Slavic, Balkan, and Ottoman flavors—served in portions that invite you to sit and stay a while.
This isn’t about recreating a classic wine tour. It’s about discovering one that already exists—less polished maybe, but full of soul. If you're ready for a new gastronomic route, this one begins with a glass you didn't expect—and a place you’ll never forget.
Romania – Ancient Hills and Honest Flavors
Dealu Mare – Sun-Kissed Reds and Autumn Gold
Just north of Bucharest, the hills of Dealu Mare catch the sun in a way that feels made for vineyards. This is one of Romania’s oldest and most respected wine regions—often called the “Tuscany of Romania” for its rolling landscapes and long, warm autumns.
Dealu Mare is known for its bold reds, especially Fetească Neagră, a local grape that produces deep, spicy wines with dark fruit and smoky notes. You’ll also find Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and elegant blends aged in oak and poured with quiet ceremony. Many wineries here are family-run, with cellars built into hillsides and tastings often guided by the winemaker themselves.
Visit Domeniile Dealu Mare – Urlati or Serve Winery, where tradition meets innovation and every tasting is accompanied by a story.
📍 Where to Stay: Casa Timis, near Chițorani, blends wine resort comfort with countryside calm—expect vineyard views, Romanian gastronomy, and a spa designed for slow living.
Pair your glass with local dishes like sarmale (cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice), aged sheep cheese, or roasted eggplant spread on fresh bread. It’s a region that tastes like home—if your home had rolling hills and rows of vines stretching toward the sun.
Transylvania – Crisp Whites and Mountain Air
Beyond its castles and legends, Transylvania quietly cultivates some of Romania’s most refined wines. With cooler temperatures and elevations that slow the ripening process, this region is perfect for crisp whites—especially Fetească Regală, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer. The wines here are floral, clean, and full of Alpine freshness.
Vineyards are tucked between forested hills and Saxon villages with fortified churches. There’s a peaceful rhythm to this region—long walks, homemade plum brandy, and farmers' markets where the cheese still comes wrapped in cloth.
Stop by Jidvei Winery, one of the best-known producers in the region, for tastings in a castle setting with panoramic views of the Târnave Valley.
📍 Where to Stay: Hotel Castel Haller in Ogra offers history, charm, and a short drive to nearby wineries. The rooms are quiet, the breakfasts hearty, and the setting makes you feel like time has slowed.
Pair your wine with telemea cheese, mushroom stews, or cozonac—a rich walnut swirl bread often served with strong coffee or sweet wine.
Dobrogea – Sea Breezes and Minerality
Stretching from the Danube Delta to the Black Sea, Dobrogea is Romania’s sunniest wine region—and one of its most surprising. The soils here are ancient and mineral-rich, giving wines a salty edge that’s perfect with coastal cuisine. Aligoté, Sauvignon Blanc, and Fetească Albă thrive here, often bottled young to preserve their brightness.
Dobrogea’s vineyards roll toward the sea, interrupted only by windmills and small fishing villages. This is the place to try wines with a maritime soul—crisp, clean, and quietly bold.
Visit Murfatlar Winery, just inland from Constanța, where you can taste local whites and rosés alongside simple dishes like grilled fish or brined cheese with tomatoes and fresh herbs.
📍 Where to Stay: Vila Surya, just outside Constanța, blends modern comfort with easy access to the vineyards and the sea. Enjoy a glass of white on the terrace as the breeze rolls in from the coast.
Here, wine pairs with salt air, sunflower fields, and plates that never try too hard—because they don’t need to.
Cotnari – Sweet Heritage in the Moldavian Hills
In Romania’s northeast, the Cotnari wine region has been crafting golden dessert wines since the Middle Ages. Its signature grape, Grasă de Cotnari, ripens slowly in the soft hills, developing a honeyed richness that rivals better-known wines like Tokaji. Noble rot adds complexity, and the wines are often enjoyed with sweet pastries or creamy cheeses.
The tradition here runs deep—beyond the bottles, Cotnari is a place where vineyards stretch into history. A visit to Cotnari Winery offers tastings in a rustic setting, where every sip carries centuries of know-how.
📍 Where to Stay: Hotel La Conac in nearby Iași offers elegant rooms and easy access to Cotnari. It’s a peaceful place to unwind with a bottle from the region.
Moldova – Underground Cellars and Old-World Soul
Codru – Endless Cellars and Elegant Whites
Just outside the capital, Chișinău, the Codru region is the heart of Moldovan winemaking. What sets it apart? The air is cooler, the hills are wooded, and beneath them lie some of the largest underground wine cellars in the world—networks of limestone tunnels that stretch for miles.
Codru is known for elegant whites and sparkling wines—Fetească Albă, Chardonnay, and Traminer flourish here, often with floral aromas and a clean finish. But the atmosphere matters just as much as the taste. Visiting a winery here means walking through vaulted cellars lined with thousands of bottles, candles flickering in the walls, and quiet conversations in the cool, earthy air.
Explore Cricova Winery, a national symbol where wine is aged, bottled, and even stored for visiting heads of state. Tours include electric carts through the tunnels and tastings in candlelit rooms carved from stone.
📍 Where to Stay: Château Vartely, just north of Codru in Orhei, offers both wine and rest. With cozy guest rooms and panoramic views of the vineyards, it’s a perfect overnight stop with an on-site restaurant celebrating local flavors.
Here, you can pair a sparkling white with placinta (savory pastries filled with cheese, potato, or cabbage), or end the evening with a chilled dessert wine and a spoonful of local cherry jam.
Ștefan Vodă – Bold Reds from the South
Closer to the border with Ukraine, Ștefan Vodă is one of Moldova’s sunniest regions. The vines here soak up long days of warmth, producing structured reds and rich blends that reflect the southern soil. You’ll find Rara Neagră, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot—wines with deep color, velvety textures, and layers of dark fruit.
This region is part of Moldova’s protected wine zone, and many winemakers are committed to preserving local varietals. Among them, Et Cetera Winery stands out—a family-owned estate known for its hospitality, home-grown ingredients, and small-batch care. The atmosphere is relaxed, but the wine is taken seriously.
📍 Where to Stay: Et Cetera also offers a few on-site guest rooms, making it easy to enjoy a tasting lunch, a walk in the vineyard, and a long, unhurried evening under the stars.
Food here leans rustic and flavorful. Think grilled lamb, stewed beans with dill, and homemade pickles served with hearty bread and soft cheese. It’s food made for gathering—served the way it’s always been.
Purcari – Moldova’s Crown Jewel of Red Wines
South of Ștefan Vodă, near the Dniester River, lies one of Moldova’s most iconic wineries: Purcari. Founded in 1827, it gained fame when its wines were served to European royalty—and it’s easy to see why. The region’s long, warm days and stony soils produce elegant reds like Negru de Purcari, a bold blend with depth, spice, and balance.
A visit to Purcari Estate is more than a tasting—it’s an experience. The estate features a manicured park, lakeside cottages, and cellars filled with dusty bottles aging quietly in the cool dark.
📍 Where to Stay: The on-site hotel at Purcari offers upscale accommodations with vineyard views. Enjoy a glass of wine on the terrace and let the stillness of the countryside settle in.
Valul lui Traian – Wind-Swept Vines and Generous Tables
In Moldova’s far southwest, the Valul lui Traian wine region takes its name from an ancient Roman earthwork that once protected the empire’s frontier. The land here is open and windswept, dotted with sunflower fields and rolling vineyards that stretch toward the border with Romania.
The wines are bold and expressive, especially red blends made from Fetească Neagră, Saperavi, and Cabernet. But it’s also a strong region for dry whites—Viorica, a native Moldovan grape, creates aromatic, floral wines with citrus and spice.
A visit to Gitana Winery, nestled in the hills near Leova, offers a full experience—family hospitality, beautiful cellar rooms, and wines crafted with minimal intervention.
📍 Where to Stay: Gagauz Sofrasi, in nearby Congaz, offers guest rooms and meals that highlight Gagauz cuisine—a Turkish-influenced culture that brings yet another flavor to Moldova’s rich culinary map.
Here, dishes like mamaliga (cornmeal with sheep cheese), sour cherry dumplings, and roasted vegetables seasoned with wild herbs make every meal feel like a celebration of the land itself.
Stay Connected While You Travel
Traveling through Moldova and Romania means quiet villages, winding countryside roads, and long lunches that stretch into the afternoon. But even in the most peaceful places, staying connected can make your journey smoother.
Whether you're navigating to a winery tucked between hills, translating a menu at a roadside inn, or sharing a cellar snapshot with friends back home, a reliable connection helps you stay present—and prepared.
The Romania JetSet eSIM and Moldova JetSet eSIM are designed for travelers who want to explore at their own pace, without worrying about local SIM cards or patchy Wi-Fi. Each eSIM gives you fast, dependable coverage tailored to the country you're in—so you’re always one step ahead, even when the road takes an unexpected turn.
You can get your JetSet eSIM before your trip and activate it the moment you arrive—so you're online right away. There are no roaming fees and no surprise charges, just one clear plan that keeps you connected from start to finish. And if you ever need a new one while traveling, it’s easy to order online in just a few clicks. No shops, no delays—just seamless connection, wherever the wine road takes you.
