VILLA VINEA wines are the fluid vitality of an extraordinary land, part of a unique microclimate, nestled in the vally of the Târnave river, one of the oldest wine regions of Transylvania. The south-facing slopes, planted with a unique mix of grap varieties, are swept by the north-west winds, which help regulate the rhythm oft he vines, cooling them down in the hot summer days, evaporating excess water, and thus enabling grapes to retain their sugars, acidity, and flavors, specific to this one terrior.

The quest began over ten years ago, when Heiner Oberrauch discovered here, in the middle of Transylvania, this place full of promise. The desire was to create singular wines of great character, memorable to those who tasted them. The soils and subsoils were tested, and theire geological composition of clay, minerals, specific sedimentations and amounts of water, turned out to be a cradle for what he had in mind.

Over the next several years, 32 hectares were planted with noble local varieties, namely Fetească Neagră and Fetească Regală, alongside classic varieties, like Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, and Merlot. A German white variety, Kerner, and an Austrian red one, Zweigelt, were added tot he vine plots, both giving two of Heiner’s favorite wines from home, Italy’s Suedtirol.

The conjunction of a local and international is to be found again in the fascinating collaboration between two men, the Italien winemaker Lucin Celestino, who received the titel Winemaker oft he Year 2009, given by the famous Italian publication Gambero Rosso, and Mihaly Denes, the cellarmaster who dedicates himself tot he vines, the grapes and the wines. The two, who share a geniune friendship along with a common winemaking vision, focus on letting each wine be ist true self, practicing a careful vinification, always searching for aromatic complexity, balance, length, and mellowness of tannins. Thus, the work in the cellar, a cross-bridge between local, Transylvanian winemaking tradition, and use of up-to-date temperature-controlled technology, centers on the inspiring red barrels room, where wines are aged to achiev perfect maturity of taste and structure.

The building itself is of original architecture, featuring an imposing tower, which overlooks a myriad of vines, hills, and villages nestled in the valley. Once more the authenticity of the place was highly regarded, and the tower was built in the traditional Transylvanian watchtower style. This is a place of great charcter, memorable to all who see it, giving wines of great character, memorable to all who teste them. The promise was kept.

Vineyard

The VILLA VINEA estate is located right near the regional airport Târgu Mureș, on a gentle hill at 330-350 m above sealevel. Embedded in the beautiful hilly landscape of the river Târnave valley in the Mureș region of Transylvania it reminds one of the rolling Tuscan winelands. International as well as autochthone varieties are grown over 32 ha of vineyards aligned south to southwest.

Mainly in the years from 2004 to 2008 noble native varieties such as Fetească Neagră, Fetească Albă and Fetească Regală were grown in combination with classic varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewuerztraminer, Merlot and Pinot Noir.

Depending on their position, the soils of the vineyard are very heavy, silty loam soils rich in limestone with strong mineral deposits, which are responsible for the succulence of the Villa Vinea wines. The clay content varies between 38-45 %. A percentage of 51-55 is reached if the parts of fine silt are also counted.
These soils, very difficult to work because of their composition, distinguish themselves through a high water storage capacity as well as a very high ability to bind nutrients. The humus content of the soil is responsible for its loosening and aeration.

The VILLA VINEA estate is situated within the continental climate area. Hot and dry summers with an above average amount of sunshine and little precipitation alternate with cold and rough winters.

The vineyards lie on the soft, south facing slopes of the south-west aligned Târnave valley. The ever-blowing gentle wind dries the morning dew quickly and prevents the generation of mold on the grapes in a natural way. Because of the little rainfall during the hot summer period, most of the time there is no need to spray the grapes. The long autumn with its cool nights helps the grapes to its aromatic ripeness.

Vision

Previous results prompted us to follow the demand to produce wine from this region. It has mineral enriched soil. This particular location benefits from both the sun and a breeze. Consequently, at VILLA VINEA we focus on innovation, sophistication, craftsmanship and passion.

We are targeting markets outside Romania in order to reacquaint people with Romania’s longstanding wine culture. Romania has a four thousand year old wine tradition and stands with Georgia as one of the birthplaces of wine. Transylvania is historically a white wine region. Here, there is a longstanding tradition of primarily indigenous types such as Fetească Albă and Fetească Regală.

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