Cramele Recaș

The vineyards at Recaș carry one of Romania's longest documented histories, with the first written record dating to 1447. The region saw Roman occupation in the 3rd century AD, and German Swabian settlers arrived in the 1700s, establishing a strong agricultural tradition. Nationalization in 1948 interrupted private winemaking, and the modern company was founded in 1998 by Philip Cox and Elvira Cox alongside other founding families. Every vineyard has been restored or replanted since 1999, establishing an entirely modern production base.

• First documented mention of Recaș vineyards: 1447
• Roman occupation in the region dates to the 3rd century AD
• German Swabian settlers shaped the agricultural landscape from the 1700s
• Vineyards nationalized in 1948; current company established 1998

Cramele Recaș sits in western Romania near Timișoara, within the Banat Hills region (Dealurile Banatului) under the Recaș DOC. Vineyards range from 100 to 350 metres elevation, planted on limestone bedrock overlaid with terra rossa soils and mineral-rich iron-clay soils. The climate is continental, defined by hot dry summers and cold winters with regular snowfall, creating clear thermal variation between seasons that supports both aromatic whites and structured reds.

• Located near Timișoara in western Romania within the Banat Hills
• Elevation range: 100 to 350 metres above sea level
• Soils: limestone bedrock with terra rossa and iron-clay layers
• Continental climate with hot dry summers and cold, snowy winters

The estate grows a wide range of both international and indigenous varieties across its 1,200 hectares. White varieties include Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Muscat Ottonel, Riesling, Viognier, and the Romanian natives Fetească Regală and Tămâioasă Românească. Red varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Fetească Neagră, and Negru de Drăgășani. This breadth reflects a deliberate strategy to balance internationally recognized grapes with Romania's unique heritage varieties.

• Indigenous whites: Fetească Regală and Tămâioasă Românească
• Indigenous reds: Fetească Neagră and Negru de Drăgășani
• International whites: Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier
• International reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc

Cramele Recaș is Romania's largest winery by both volume and turnover, a title held since at least 2020. The winery recorded a €72 million turnover in 2024 and sold 30.5 million bottles in 2025, with a production capacity of 32 million bottles per year. Chief winemakers Hartley Smithers from Australia and Nora Iriarte from Spain lead a team producing modern, market-friendly wines across white, rosé, red, orange, and natural wine styles. The estate attracts over 15,000 wine tourists annually.

• Romania's largest winery by volume and turnover as of 2020
• Production capacity: 32 million bottles per year
• Chief winemakers: Hartley Smithers (Australia) and Nora Iriarte (Spain)
• Over 15,000 wine tourists visit the estate annually

Cramele Recaș accounts for more than half of Romania's total bottled wine exports, making it the country's single most important ambassador in international markets. In 2023, the winery earned 52 medals and distinctions across international competitions. The full portfolio holds vegan certification, a distinction increasingly important in export markets. The winery's scale and consistent quality have positioned Romanian wine as a credible player on the global stage.

• Responsible for over half of all Romanian bottled wine exports
• 52 international medals and distinctions earned in 2023
• Vegan certification across the entire wine portfolio
• €72 million turnover recorded in 2024