The story of Ferdi Winery - interview with Fernando Mihăilescu
Located in "Dealurile Olteniei și Munteniei" wine region, on the edge of the Dealu Mare vineyard, Ferdi Winery is one of the small wineries, famous especially for the wines it produces, but also for the desire to create wines with personality and with as little intervention as possible from the human side to let each grape variety express itself as beautifully as possible year after year.
I had the pleasure of talking with Fernando Mihăilescu, the owner and creator of the winery, as well as the creator of the wine produced here. Below you will find the interview he gave to Winesday App. From it you will learn about the story of the winery as well as some news for the current year.
Carmina Nițescu: Hi Fernando! Thank you for taking the time for this interview! Please tell me something about the beginnings of the Ferdi winery. How did you come up with the idea, when did you decide to launch the winery, how did you choose the place and how did you choose the name. I understand that it's a family business, with Paul also involved in the business, so please tell us a little bit about that as well.
Fernando Mihăilescu: I am glad to talk to you today on the occasion of this interview!
Probably the rigors of the military school attended at the "Mircea cel Bătrân" Naval Academy in Constanța and the fact that I worked for several years as a navigation officer, made me want to be my own master. It was not easy at all, especially in the unstable economic environment after the 90s, taking on more entrepreneurial risks, such as those in the food or textile industry.
In the years that followed, I had the opportunity to meet, on various occasions, with special wines from the wider world, in my peregrinations and meetings with various collaborators in Paris and Vienna. So the pleasure of enjoying good wine slowly but surely entered my blood and I started visiting world-renowned wine regions with boutique wineries, learning from each one how to make exceptional wine. The first wine, produced by Crama Ferdi, was in 2009, which I drank with my friends; they, appreciating it, encouraged me in my endeavor, reaching the point where I bottled the 2010 production in the first bottles of wine. Still friends, but this time, my fishing colleagues, named me years ago, "Ferdi", and at the time of founding the winery, it seemed to me the most representative name for it. My son, Paul, took the "germ" of wine from me a few years ago, currently working very well together; he is also pursuing a master's degree in winemaking, preparing for the future to taking over the winery.
Carmina: How Manu hectares of vines are there at Ferdi Winery and what varieties do you have planted? Do you make wines only from your own plantations, or are there cases where you also buy grapes?
Fernando: Annually we produce wine from approximately 6 hectares of which 1.5 hectares are owned, these being spread in Tohani area. Although we do not own part of the mentioned hectares, we take close care of everything involved in the work in the vineyard, respecting our procedures of guiding growth, development and selection so that the result, respectively the grape, is what we want. The varieties from which we make the wine are, for red: Fetească Neagră, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc and Blaufrankisch and for white: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Tămăioasă Românească.
Carmina: Which grape varieties do you enjoy working with the most and why?
Fernando: Loving most grape varieties, I like to make wine from as many as possible. That's why I have so many labels, because I wanted to see and taste the result of each one; but I think that I still have a preference for Fetească Neagră, maybe also because it is the only Romanian red that we produce. In any case, each grape variety has unique characteristics that contribute to the wine's aromatic, taste and textural profile; that being the beauty, to see how one variety produces wines so different from another variety, even under the same terroir conditions.
Carmina: If you had to choose only one harvest year since making wines at Crama Ferdi, a year that you consider as close to Perfection (for a certain grape variety, in your region) which would it be and why?
Fernando: Since I've been producing wine, it seems to me that 2019 was a year characterized by favorable weather conditions, which allowed to obtain high quality wines in Dealu Mare as well as in many of the important wine regions in the world. This year's wines are among the most balanced, with a varied range of flavors and good aging potential.
Carmina: Please tell me a little about the wines of Ferdi winery, about their uniqueness. Like when you tell the story of your wines for the first time to someone who has never tried them before.
Fernando: In our case, the uniqueness of the wine is determined by a complex combination of factors that give each bottle of wine a distinct and unmistakable character. I will start with the terroir and the climate of Dealu Mare, which are especially suitable for the grapes from which we make red wine. For several years we have also been able to produce highly appreciated white wines in this area. As a specific procedure, the selection of grapes follows from the period of formation and development, leaving on the vine only the bunches that we believe must reach maturity. Also, fermentation in barriques and maturation for 1 and 2 years, in French, American and Romanian oak barriques. We do not forget about the wines throughout this period, we move them periodically so that the wines can be enjoyed by all types of barriques we have - at the end of the maturation process the wines will have the specific imprint of the winemaker. Thus, the uniqueness of a wine is the result of a complex interaction between all these factors, making each wine a unique expression of terroir, variety, production method and cultural influences.
Carmina: Do you have any wine news this summer?
Fernando: We focus on quality above all, wanting to be better year after year. Those who love our wines have always been pleasantly surprised by our plans, namely by each launch of a new label, by the tasting events and the ever-changing look of our winery, as we develop it brick by brick. I will not reveal the rest of the initiatives, I would like them to be discovered, gradually, by those who follow us and want to be always updated with our work. Indeed, this summer we are enjoying a Pétillant-Naturel called Sauvage, from the 2023 Chardonnay harvest, with zero dosage and zero sulphur, being the first time we have produced sparkling wine and we are happy that it is highly appreciated for its freshness, rustic character and effervescence natural. It offers an exciting alternative to traditional sparkling wines, appealing to wine lovers who appreciate naturalness and authenticity in winemaking.
Carmina: Where can Ferdi Wines be ordered?
Fernando: Having a premium product, we are mainly targeting locations that, in turn, want to offer quality to the customer. So our wines can be found at the winery and on our website, but also in restaurants where skilled chefs prepare special menus that can be paired very well with good wine, in bars and wine shops that also organize tastings with those who want to know in detail the art of wine.
Among these I will highlight restaurants and bistros in Bucharest: Gastrolab, Fork, Soro Lume, Papila, Hambar, Le Bab, Bucătăria Local Food, Mosafir, Băcănia Veche, The Grill, Tuya as well as shops or wine bars: The Great Hill, Indivino, Ototo, Ethic Wine, Uva, Vino, Lovin, Wine Industry, Wine Bouquet, Booze Town; online stores: king.ro, unvinpezi, lovewine, vinmagazin, oenoartis, freshful. Also in the country you can find us in already known locations even at the national level, in cities such as: Brașov, Cluj-Napoca, Iași, Oradea, Timișoara, Craiova, Galați, Brăila, Alba-Iulia.
Carmina: I have seen more and more events taking place at your winery. Please tell me more about these. Are they wine tastings with or without food, corporate and/or private events? Please give me more details about what type of event can be organized at your place, what capacity do you have and what wine is most requested in a wine tasting? I'm asking because app users are also interested in this and I'd be happy to have more information about what times of the year/days of the week visits can be made, what the minimum number of people for a visit is, and roughly how long prior reservation is required for such a visit.
Fernando: At Crama Ferdi, those who step on our doorstep have a complete experience, from meeting us who produce the wine and manage the winery (myself, my son and my wife), to a winery tour with a tasting paired with some local gourmet products.
Although our winery is small, Ferdi lovers are delighted by the family feeling it offers and the good wines that some discover for the first time. Visitors are guided by us through the various stages of winemaking, from pressing the grapes to fermentation, maturation and bottling.
Tastings usually include a selection of wines available and for sale, ranging from whites and reds to reds and sometimes sparkling. We recommend that you make a reservation, at least a few days or even a week in advance, to ensure that you have a place on the desired tour, our capacity being currently reduced, up to 25 - 30 people (private or corporate). A winery tour with wine tasting is not only an opportunity to enjoy delicious wines, but also to learn about the art and science of winemaking, appreciate the work behind each bottle and discover new wine preferences.
Carmina: Fernando, thank you very much for your time. I can't wait to get to your winery for a tasting! And I hope that a good part of Winesday App users will be curious about a tasting at Ferdi Winery, as well as look for these wines in restaurants, wine bars and wine shops.
Fernando: The pleasure was mine. You're welcome!
I had the pleasure of talking with Fernando Mihăilescu, the owner and creator of the winery, as well as the creator of the wine produced here. Below you will find the interview he gave to Winesday App. From it you will learn about the story of the winery as well as some news for the current year.
Carmina Nițescu: Hi Fernando! Thank you for taking the time for this interview! Please tell me something about the beginnings of the Ferdi winery. How did you come up with the idea, when did you decide to launch the winery, how did you choose the place and how did you choose the name. I understand that it's a family business, with Paul also involved in the business, so please tell us a little bit about that as well.
Fernando Mihăilescu: I am glad to talk to you today on the occasion of this interview!
Probably the rigors of the military school attended at the "Mircea cel Bătrân" Naval Academy in Constanța and the fact that I worked for several years as a navigation officer, made me want to be my own master. It was not easy at all, especially in the unstable economic environment after the 90s, taking on more entrepreneurial risks, such as those in the food or textile industry.
In the years that followed, I had the opportunity to meet, on various occasions, with special wines from the wider world, in my peregrinations and meetings with various collaborators in Paris and Vienna. So the pleasure of enjoying good wine slowly but surely entered my blood and I started visiting world-renowned wine regions with boutique wineries, learning from each one how to make exceptional wine. The first wine, produced by Crama Ferdi, was in 2009, which I drank with my friends; they, appreciating it, encouraged me in my endeavor, reaching the point where I bottled the 2010 production in the first bottles of wine. Still friends, but this time, my fishing colleagues, named me years ago, "Ferdi", and at the time of founding the winery, it seemed to me the most representative name for it. My son, Paul, took the "germ" of wine from me a few years ago, currently working very well together; he is also pursuing a master's degree in winemaking, preparing for the future to taking over the winery.
Carmina: How Manu hectares of vines are there at Ferdi Winery and what varieties do you have planted? Do you make wines only from your own plantations, or are there cases where you also buy grapes?
Fernando: Annually we produce wine from approximately 6 hectares of which 1.5 hectares are owned, these being spread in Tohani area. Although we do not own part of the mentioned hectares, we take close care of everything involved in the work in the vineyard, respecting our procedures of guiding growth, development and selection so that the result, respectively the grape, is what we want. The varieties from which we make the wine are, for red: Fetească Neagră, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc and Blaufrankisch and for white: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Tămăioasă Românească.
Carmina: Which grape varieties do you enjoy working with the most and why?
Fernando: Loving most grape varieties, I like to make wine from as many as possible. That's why I have so many labels, because I wanted to see and taste the result of each one; but I think that I still have a preference for Fetească Neagră, maybe also because it is the only Romanian red that we produce. In any case, each grape variety has unique characteristics that contribute to the wine's aromatic, taste and textural profile; that being the beauty, to see how one variety produces wines so different from another variety, even under the same terroir conditions.
Carmina: If you had to choose only one harvest year since making wines at Crama Ferdi, a year that you consider as close to Perfection (for a certain grape variety, in your region) which would it be and why?
Fernando: Since I've been producing wine, it seems to me that 2019 was a year characterized by favorable weather conditions, which allowed to obtain high quality wines in Dealu Mare as well as in many of the important wine regions in the world. This year's wines are among the most balanced, with a varied range of flavors and good aging potential.
Carmina: Please tell me a little about the wines of Ferdi winery, about their uniqueness. Like when you tell the story of your wines for the first time to someone who has never tried them before.
Fernando: In our case, the uniqueness of the wine is determined by a complex combination of factors that give each bottle of wine a distinct and unmistakable character. I will start with the terroir and the climate of Dealu Mare, which are especially suitable for the grapes from which we make red wine. For several years we have also been able to produce highly appreciated white wines in this area. As a specific procedure, the selection of grapes follows from the period of formation and development, leaving on the vine only the bunches that we believe must reach maturity. Also, fermentation in barriques and maturation for 1 and 2 years, in French, American and Romanian oak barriques. We do not forget about the wines throughout this period, we move them periodically so that the wines can be enjoyed by all types of barriques we have - at the end of the maturation process the wines will have the specific imprint of the winemaker. Thus, the uniqueness of a wine is the result of a complex interaction between all these factors, making each wine a unique expression of terroir, variety, production method and cultural influences.
Carmina: Do you have any wine news this summer?
Fernando: We focus on quality above all, wanting to be better year after year. Those who love our wines have always been pleasantly surprised by our plans, namely by each launch of a new label, by the tasting events and the ever-changing look of our winery, as we develop it brick by brick. I will not reveal the rest of the initiatives, I would like them to be discovered, gradually, by those who follow us and want to be always updated with our work. Indeed, this summer we are enjoying a Pétillant-Naturel called Sauvage, from the 2023 Chardonnay harvest, with zero dosage and zero sulphur, being the first time we have produced sparkling wine and we are happy that it is highly appreciated for its freshness, rustic character and effervescence natural. It offers an exciting alternative to traditional sparkling wines, appealing to wine lovers who appreciate naturalness and authenticity in winemaking.
Carmina: Where can Ferdi Wines be ordered?
Fernando: Having a premium product, we are mainly targeting locations that, in turn, want to offer quality to the customer. So our wines can be found at the winery and on our website, but also in restaurants where skilled chefs prepare special menus that can be paired very well with good wine, in bars and wine shops that also organize tastings with those who want to know in detail the art of wine.
Among these I will highlight restaurants and bistros in Bucharest: Gastrolab, Fork, Soro Lume, Papila, Hambar, Le Bab, Bucătăria Local Food, Mosafir, Băcănia Veche, The Grill, Tuya as well as shops or wine bars: The Great Hill, Indivino, Ototo, Ethic Wine, Uva, Vino, Lovin, Wine Industry, Wine Bouquet, Booze Town; online stores: king.ro, unvinpezi, lovewine, vinmagazin, oenoartis, freshful. Also in the country you can find us in already known locations even at the national level, in cities such as: Brașov, Cluj-Napoca, Iași, Oradea, Timișoara, Craiova, Galați, Brăila, Alba-Iulia.
Carmina: I have seen more and more events taking place at your winery. Please tell me more about these. Are they wine tastings with or without food, corporate and/or private events? Please give me more details about what type of event can be organized at your place, what capacity do you have and what wine is most requested in a wine tasting? I'm asking because app users are also interested in this and I'd be happy to have more information about what times of the year/days of the week visits can be made, what the minimum number of people for a visit is, and roughly how long prior reservation is required for such a visit.
Fernando: At Crama Ferdi, those who step on our doorstep have a complete experience, from meeting us who produce the wine and manage the winery (myself, my son and my wife), to a winery tour with a tasting paired with some local gourmet products.
Although our winery is small, Ferdi lovers are delighted by the family feeling it offers and the good wines that some discover for the first time. Visitors are guided by us through the various stages of winemaking, from pressing the grapes to fermentation, maturation and bottling.
Tastings usually include a selection of wines available and for sale, ranging from whites and reds to reds and sometimes sparkling. We recommend that you make a reservation, at least a few days or even a week in advance, to ensure that you have a place on the desired tour, our capacity being currently reduced, up to 25 - 30 people (private or corporate). A winery tour with wine tasting is not only an opportunity to enjoy delicious wines, but also to learn about the art and science of winemaking, appreciate the work behind each bottle and discover new wine preferences.
Carmina: Fernando, thank you very much for your time. I can't wait to get to your winery for a tasting! And I hope that a good part of Winesday App users will be curious about a tasting at Ferdi Winery, as well as look for these wines in restaurants, wine bars and wine shops.
Fernando: The pleasure was mine. You're welcome!
