The Story of Domeniile Franco-Române
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The story of Domeniile Franco-Române winery begins with a visionary in Dealu Mare, between Gura Vadului and Săhăteni, where in 2000, Denis Thomas, owner and winemaker from Burgundy, set up the first organic vineyard in Romania. Denis Thomas takes over and develops a 45-hectare plantation in an area of Dealu Mare, where the terroir, similar to that of Burgundy, allows the production of Romanian wines in a French spirit.
Starting with 2020, Domeniile Franco-Române belongs to a group of Romanian investors who intend to use their passion for viticulture to bring the winery's wines closer to consumers in Romania and abroad. The mission of investors Mihnea Mihalache and Mihnea Olariu aims to modernize the winery, expand storage and winemaking capacity and also develop the BIO plantation that brought Romania, in 2006, the first Ecocert certified wine.
To the 45 hectares taken over from Denis Thomas, the Olariu family added another 40 hectares of vines (a plantation known in the Gura Vadului area as the "Domeniile Persu-Eminescu"). Owned before the First World War by Mihnea Olariu's great-grandparents (Alexandru Persu - agronomist engineer, former mayor of Tohani commune and Ecaterina Eminescu - granddaughter of the poet Mihai Eminescu), the Persu-Eminescu Fields have been retroceded, since 2002, to the investor's parents, Marina and Nicolae Olariu. A family story that spans several generations, a story that goes on.
Today, Domeniile Franco-Române combine traditional techniques with modern technology to produce very high-quality wines. With an area of 85 hectares cultivated with varieties such as Fetească Albă BIO, Tămâioasă Românească BIO, Sauvignon Blanc BIO, Chardonnay BIO, Fetească Regală, Riesling Italian BIO, Pinot Noir BIO, Merlot BIO, Fetească Neagră BIO, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a capacity of 45,000 liters in barrels and 1 million liters in stainless steel tanks, the winery produces organic and authentic wines that preserve the essence of the place.
The winery's wine portfolio includes the following ranges:
Starting with 2020, Domeniile Franco-Române belongs to a group of Romanian investors who intend to use their passion for viticulture to bring the winery's wines closer to consumers in Romania and abroad. The mission of investors Mihnea Mihalache and Mihnea Olariu aims to modernize the winery, expand storage and winemaking capacity and also develop the BIO plantation that brought Romania, in 2006, the first Ecocert certified wine.
To the 45 hectares taken over from Denis Thomas, the Olariu family added another 40 hectares of vines (a plantation known in the Gura Vadului area as the "Domeniile Persu-Eminescu"). Owned before the First World War by Mihnea Olariu's great-grandparents (Alexandru Persu - agronomist engineer, former mayor of Tohani commune and Ecaterina Eminescu - granddaughter of the poet Mihai Eminescu), the Persu-Eminescu Fields have been retroceded, since 2002, to the investor's parents, Marina and Nicolae Olariu. A family story that spans several generations, a story that goes on.
Today, Domeniile Franco-Române combine traditional techniques with modern technology to produce very high-quality wines. With an area of 85 hectares cultivated with varieties such as Fetească Albă BIO, Tămâioasă Românească BIO, Sauvignon Blanc BIO, Chardonnay BIO, Fetească Regală, Riesling Italian BIO, Pinot Noir BIO, Merlot BIO, Fetească Neagră BIO, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a capacity of 45,000 liters in barrels and 1 million liters in stainless steel tanks, the winery produces organic and authentic wines that preserve the essence of the place.
The winery's wine portfolio includes the following ranges:
- Rendez-Vous (entry level)
- DFR, Heritage and Vox Dei (medium range)
- Arrogance and Galeron (premium range).
Towards the end of 2026, Persu-Eminescu wine will be launched as part of the super-premium wine range and the information we currently have from the winery is that it will be a red wine.
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Rendez-Vous range consists of semi-dry wines (white, roșé, red), easy-to-understand wines, suitable for being enjoyed at any time of the day. It is an entry-level range, especially suitable for events but also for serving house wine by the glass in different locations.
DFR range consists of BIO wines, white, roșé, red, dry wines (the range also includes a semi-dry white wine). The symbols of “Little Paris” - the name by which Bucharest was known at the end of the 19th century - can be found on the labels of the DFR range, the new acronym of Domeniile Franco-Române after the 2020 merger with “Domeniile Persu-Eminescu”. The Francophone lineage of the winery in Dealu Mare begins in 2000, when the first BIO vineyard plantation in Romania was created.
Héritage range includes organic wines in memory of the winery’s founder only from varieties specific to Burgundy region (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir). The stylized hoopoes on the label has been embedded in the mosaic of the tasting room at Domeniile Franco-Române since 2000, when winemaker Denis Thomas, originally from Burgundy, founded the first BIO vineyard in Romania, in Dealu Mare. After the 2020 merger with “Domeniile Persu-Eminescu”, the hoopoes becomes the symbol of this range.
Vox Dei is a range of aromatic wines with residual sugar, which are intended for gastronomic pairing with cured cheeses, foie gras or fine desserts. The range consists of 3 wines produced from Tămâioasă Românească grape variety (semi-dry, semi-sweet and sweet). The name of the range "Vox Dei" means "Voice of the Gods" in Latin, and the association of this name with the wines of Tămâioasă Românească range suggests a tribute to the quality and exceptional character of these wines.
Arrogance range - young wines, created in stainless steel, which impress with their modern winemaking style and bottle design. The dry wines in this range are BIO, but the range also includes white and red semi-dry wines, as well as semi-sweet wines - these addressing the holiday season with the slogan "Taste The Arrogance. Be the Arrogance". The label of this range is unmistakable, being represented by the mythological Medusa who, if you look at her, instantly turns you into a stone. In order to see Medusa, you no longer have to travel to Florence, but you can admire her on the labels of Arrogance range that are specially created: the label is visible through the wine bottle, the artist who created it knowing how to look deeply and suggests this through his creation.
Galeron range, the super-premium range of Domeniile Franco-Române, today includes a Chardonnay Barrique, already in its second edition (2023 harvest) and will soon be joined by a Red Galeron that promises to be an atypical and unique blend. The range was launched in 2024 to pay tribute to the French architect Albert Galeron who built, between 1886 and 1888, the Romanian Athenaeum, one of the most important landmarks of modern Bucharest.
Given the winery's multitude of wines, we spoke with Carmen Văsioiu, Marketing Manager at Domeniile Franco Române and she stated that "in the first half of 2025, sales from Domeniile Franco-Române portfolio recorded an increase of approximately 12% compared to the same period in 2024. This positive evolution is mainly supported by the performance of white and rosé wines, but also by the expansion of partnerships in the HORECA area."
If you want to discover the wines of Domeniile Franco Române winery, find out that in addition to finding these wines in restaurants, you can have a true tasting experience and visit at the winery located in the heart of Dealu Mare vineyard. The experience lasts approximately 90 minutes, includes visiting the winery, tasting of 5 BIO wines along with a tasting platter. The experience is available from Monday to Sunday, for a minimum of 4 people, and reservations are made at least 48 hours in advance. Additional details can be found here.
Located only 1 hour from Bucharest, Domeniile Franco Române, the first certified BIO winery in Romania, awaits you to discover its story, savor the wines and enjoy a relaxing day in the middle of nature.
Carmina Nițescu
Winesday.ro & Winesday App
DFR range consists of BIO wines, white, roșé, red, dry wines (the range also includes a semi-dry white wine). The symbols of “Little Paris” - the name by which Bucharest was known at the end of the 19th century - can be found on the labels of the DFR range, the new acronym of Domeniile Franco-Române after the 2020 merger with “Domeniile Persu-Eminescu”. The Francophone lineage of the winery in Dealu Mare begins in 2000, when the first BIO vineyard plantation in Romania was created.
Héritage range includes organic wines in memory of the winery’s founder only from varieties specific to Burgundy region (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir). The stylized hoopoes on the label has been embedded in the mosaic of the tasting room at Domeniile Franco-Române since 2000, when winemaker Denis Thomas, originally from Burgundy, founded the first BIO vineyard in Romania, in Dealu Mare. After the 2020 merger with “Domeniile Persu-Eminescu”, the hoopoes becomes the symbol of this range.
Vox Dei is a range of aromatic wines with residual sugar, which are intended for gastronomic pairing with cured cheeses, foie gras or fine desserts. The range consists of 3 wines produced from Tămâioasă Românească grape variety (semi-dry, semi-sweet and sweet). The name of the range "Vox Dei" means "Voice of the Gods" in Latin, and the association of this name with the wines of Tămâioasă Românească range suggests a tribute to the quality and exceptional character of these wines.
Arrogance range - young wines, created in stainless steel, which impress with their modern winemaking style and bottle design. The dry wines in this range are BIO, but the range also includes white and red semi-dry wines, as well as semi-sweet wines - these addressing the holiday season with the slogan "Taste The Arrogance. Be the Arrogance". The label of this range is unmistakable, being represented by the mythological Medusa who, if you look at her, instantly turns you into a stone. In order to see Medusa, you no longer have to travel to Florence, but you can admire her on the labels of Arrogance range that are specially created: the label is visible through the wine bottle, the artist who created it knowing how to look deeply and suggests this through his creation.
Galeron range, the super-premium range of Domeniile Franco-Române, today includes a Chardonnay Barrique, already in its second edition (2023 harvest) and will soon be joined by a Red Galeron that promises to be an atypical and unique blend. The range was launched in 2024 to pay tribute to the French architect Albert Galeron who built, between 1886 and 1888, the Romanian Athenaeum, one of the most important landmarks of modern Bucharest.
Given the winery's multitude of wines, we spoke with Carmen Văsioiu, Marketing Manager at Domeniile Franco Române and she stated that "in the first half of 2025, sales from Domeniile Franco-Române portfolio recorded an increase of approximately 12% compared to the same period in 2024. This positive evolution is mainly supported by the performance of white and rosé wines, but also by the expansion of partnerships in the HORECA area."
If you want to discover the wines of Domeniile Franco Române winery, find out that in addition to finding these wines in restaurants, you can have a true tasting experience and visit at the winery located in the heart of Dealu Mare vineyard. The experience lasts approximately 90 minutes, includes visiting the winery, tasting of 5 BIO wines along with a tasting platter. The experience is available from Monday to Sunday, for a minimum of 4 people, and reservations are made at least 48 hours in advance. Additional details can be found here.
Located only 1 hour from Bucharest, Domeniile Franco Române, the first certified BIO winery in Romania, awaits you to discover its story, savor the wines and enjoy a relaxing day in the middle of nature.
Carmina Nițescu
Winesday.ro & Winesday App
