Davino
Key Romanian and Regional Terms
Romania's wine aristocracy, crafting benchmark reds and aromatics from the sun-drenched foothills of the Southern Carpathians.
Davino is Romania's benchmark fine wine producer, founded in 2003 in Ceptura within the Dealu Mare DOC of Muntenia. The estate farms 68 hectares at the 45th parallel, the same latitude as Bordeaux and Tuscany, growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and native varieties with a focus on minimal-intervention winemaking.
- Founded in 2003 in Ceptura; one of only the third private wineries established in Romania after the 1989 revolution
- 68 hectares of vineyards, including 40-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines
- Situated at the 45th parallel, matching the latitude of Bordeaux and Tuscany
- Dealu Mare DOC spans 65 km across the Southern Carpathian foothills; the name means 'Big Hill'
- Winemaker Bogdan Costachescu has overseen production since the 1998 vintage
- Pursuing organic certification with a 2028 target, using ambient yeasts and minimal sulfur
- Recognized as Romania's wine aristocracy by Master of Wine Caroline Gilby
History and Origins
Wine production in Dealu Mare stretches back to the 14th and 15th centuries, with historical documents describing the wines as 'oily, strong and durable.' Davino was founded within this tradition in 2003 in Ceptura, making it one of the earliest private estates to emerge after Romania's 1989 revolution. Its founding placed it among only the third private wineries to operate in the country during the post-communist era, giving Davino an outsized role in defining modern Romanian fine wine.
- Wine production in Dealu Mare documented from the 14th and 15th centuries
- Historical records describe local wines as 'oily, strong and durable'
- Davino founded 2003; among the first wave of private wineries post-1989 revolution
- Based in Ceptura within the Dealu Mare DOC, Muntenia region
Location and Terroir
Dealu Mare stretches 65 km across the Southern Carpathian foothills in Muntenia, with vineyards ranging from 130 to 550 meters in elevation. The region sits at the 45th parallel, placing it on the same latitude as Bordeaux and Tuscany. The climate is temperate continental, featuring hot summers, extreme winters, and natural protection from Carpathian winds. Davino's western vineyards are defined by clay soils enriched with iron oxides, while the eastern parcels rest on limestone formations, creating meaningful terroir variation across the estate.
- Elevation ranges from 130 to 550 meters across Dealu Mare
- Temperate continental climate; hot summers, extreme winters, Carpathian wind protection
- Western vineyard soils: clay enriched with iron oxides
- Eastern vineyard soils: limestone formations
Grapes and Wine Style
Davino grows both international and indigenous varieties across its 68 hectares. The estate's red wines, built primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Feteasca Neagra, are the flagship offering: full-bodied, complex, and built for aging. White wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling Italico, and the native Feteasca Alba, which contribute aromatic and structured styles. The presence of 40-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines brings depth and concentration to the estate's top reds.
- Reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Feteasca Neagra
- Whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling Italico, Feteasca Alba
- 40-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines on the estate
- Full-bodied reds with complexity and strong aging potential
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Open Wine Lookup →Winemaking Philosophy
Winemaker Bogdan Costachescu has guided Davino's style since the 1998 vintage, building a reputation for lower-intervention winemaking. The estate uses ambient yeasts and keeps sulfur additions minimal, prioritizing authenticity over technical correction. Davino is also pursuing organic conversion across its vineyards, with a target completion date of 2028. This approach, combined with older vines and varied terroir, underpins the estate's standing as a reference point for quality Romanian wine.
- Winemaker Bogdan Costachescu in place since the 1998 vintage
- Lower-intervention approach: ambient yeasts, minimal sulfur additions
- Organic conversion underway, targeting full certification by 2028
- Recognized by Master of Wine Caroline Gilby as Romania's wine aristocracy
Davino reds are full-bodied with firm structure, dark fruit concentration, and the complexity that comes from mature vines and varied clay-limestone soils. The whites are aromatic and precise, with native varieties like Feteasca Alba adding floral and stone fruit character alongside the more internationally recognizable Sauvignon Blanc profile.
- Budureasca Premium Feteasca Neagra$12-18Dealu Mare DOC producer founded 2006 with 275 hectares, offering accessible native variety expression.Find →
- SERVE Cuvee Charlotte Feteasca Neagra$20-35SERVE, founded 1994, is one of Dealu Mare's pioneering private estates with strong regional credentials.Find →
- Davino Flamboyant$50-70Davino's flagship red from 40-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines in Ceptura, minimal intervention.Find →
- Viile Metamorfosis Cabernet Sauvignon$25-40Early 2000s Dealu Mare producer crafting structured Cabernet Sauvignon from Carpathian foothill vineyards.Find →
- Davino operates under the Dealu Mare DOC, classified as PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) within the Muntenia region of Romania
- The estate sits at the 45th parallel, matching Bordeaux and Tuscany in latitude; elevation ranges 130 to 550 meters
- Key indigenous varieties grown: Feteasca Neagra (red) and Feteasca Alba (white), alongside Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
- Davino was one of only the third private wineries established in Romania after the 1989 revolution, founded in 2003
- Organic conversion is in progress with a 2028 target; winemaking uses ambient yeasts and minimal sulfur additions