Wine tourism in Romania does not generate profit, is difficult for wineries to sustain, and is in its early stages or even non-existent, according to representatives from several wineries in the country.
While in Tuscany and Bordeaux wine tourism is a standalone business, in Romania, it is used by wineries to promote and sell their wine directly to tourists.
"Wine tourism does not bring in money. For a winery, it is quite difficult to sustain. The tourism side is a different part of the business that requires the involvement of human resources and facilities," said Adina Vulcan, marketing department representative at Domeniile Sahateni.
She emphasizes that Domeniile Sahateni is a lucky case because it is located in the Dealul Mare area, where wineries are close to each other, making tourists more likely to leave home to visit them. The same does not happen elsewhere.
the general manager of the Villa Vinea winery, located in Mica, Mures.
"We don’t make money, but I see this as a promotional tool," says Oliver Bauer, owner of the Bauer winery in Dragasani, Valcea. At his winery, where tasting prices generally range between 12 and 20 euros, but can reach 50-60 euros with a full meal, tourists come from Canada, China, or South America.
At the same time, Adrian Avram, sommelier at Crama Rasova (Cernavoda), makes a blunt statement: "Wine tourism in Romania does not exist. There are possibilities, but Romanians do not practice it. Going from Bucharest to Arad is too far. We are not so in love with wine that we would make that effort."
He claims that in Romania, all the conditions are not met in one place: either there is no accommodation, the winery is too far, there are no other wineries in the area, or there are no roads.
Also called oenotourism or enotourism, this niche type of tourism can be practiced in 60 out of 140 wineries, and a winery receives an average of 300 tourists in half a year.
In Romania, over 250 wineries are registered, but of these, only 140 produce and sell bottled wine. However, the number of wineries is steadily increasing by 5-10 units per year, stated Alina Iancu, founder of CrameRomania.ro and ReVino.ro.
Source: Wall-Street
Frequently Asked Questions
Is wine tourism profitable for Romanian wineries?
Currently, wine tourism in Romania is viewed more as a marketing and promotional tool rather than a profitable standalone business due to high operational costs.
How many wineries in Romania offer tourism services?
Out of approximately 140 wineries that bottle and sell wine, only about 60 are currently equipped to receive tourists for tastings and tours.
What are the main barriers to the development of oenotourism in Romania?
The primary challenges include poor road infrastructure, a lack of accommodation near wineries, and the significant distances between different wine regions.