The initiative for Dealu Mare
Our story and vision
At the end of 2019, 12 well-known and experienced wineries from the Dealu Mare wine region came together around an idea: to deliberately create a higher standard of quality for their production, in order to highlight what is specific to this area.
Tradition
The first written documents about the existence of the vine culture in this part of the country, date from the 14th and 15th centuries. Foreign records state about the Dealu Mare (The Big Hill) vineyard, that it produced an “oily, strong and long-lasting” wine, much like the best wines produced in other countries.
Quality
It is self-assumed by the wineries which are members of the Association and duly noted in the Specifications of Controlled Designation of Origin. Although Dealu Mare is not the largest wine region in the country, the wines coming from here get more than a third of the total Romanian medals at national and international competitions. And this has been going on for many years.
Proximity
Just one hour from the Capital and the main airport of Romania, in the middle of one of the largest urban concentrations in the country, the “constellation” of wineries in Dealu Mare is accessible for day trips or longer and offers the opportunity to discover an area with rich historical, architectural and gastronomic traditions.
Diversity
Nowhere better than in Dealu Mare is there such a large variety of wineries – small, medium, and large. Together, but also individually, each with its own philosophy and character – they offer a wide range of choices for all wine lovers, regardless of their preferences or budget. The wines are available in retail, as well as in the most demanding restaurants.
Members of the association
Participating wineries
16 wineries are currently part of the initiative for Dealu Mare:
Statute
Voluntarily undertaken quality requirements
The self-assumed regulation provides for the existence of three categories that can bear the mark of recognition for top wines. All this must:
- have at least 25% of the indigenous Fetească Neagra variety;
- use grapes from plots which were declared and selected in advance, where the age of the plantation is at least seven years;
- come from plots where the production of grapes per hectare has been voluntarily reduced compared to the legal provisions in force;
- be subject to a supervisory and control committee set up by the initiators for this purpose.
A special graphic sign has also been created that will be placed on the bottles that meet the criteria set by the initiators – it is the discoidal emblem with the word “DM Garantat” written on the top of the disc.
1500
Hectares
15
Producers
34
Grape varieties
9000000
Liters of wine