Cramele Recaș

Viticulture in the Recaș area stretches back to Roman times, with documentary evidence confirming vineyard operations as early as 1447. German and Swabian settlers arriving in the 1700s further established the region's reputation for quality wine production. Following nationalization in 1948, the vineyards operated as a state cooperative until 1991, when Philip Cox and his partners established Cramele Recaș. A full relaunch in 1998 set the winery on its trajectory to becoming Romania's dominant wine producer.

• Roman-era viticultural origins confirmed by documents dating to 1447
• Swabian settlers in the 1700s built the region's quality wine reputation
• Nationalised in 1948; operated as a state cooperative until 1991
• Cramele Recaș founded 1991, relaunched 1998 under Philip Cox and partners

Cramele Recaș sits in Timiș County in western Romania, close to the city of Timișoara, within the Recaș DOC appellation of the Banat wine region. Vineyards are planted at 100 to 350 meters elevation on a diverse mix of marl, clay, sand, gravel, and loess, with limestone bedrock and terra rossa soils in places. The climate is temperate continental with a notable Mediterranean influence, delivering warm summers, mild winters, long autumns, and more than 2,100 hours of sunshine per year. These conditions support both international and indigenous Romanian grape varieties.

• Elevation ranges from 100 to 350 meters above sea level
• Soils include marl, clay, sand, gravel, loess, and limestone bedrock with terra rossa
• Over 2,100 hours of annual sunshine with warm summers and long autumns
• Mediterranean influence moderates the temperate continental base climate

Cramele Recaș grows an unusually broad portfolio spanning both international and indigenous Romanian varietals. White grapes include Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Muscat Ottonel, Feteasca Regala, Riesling Italian, Riesling de Rhin, Viognier, Tamaioasa Romaneasca, and Traminer. Red varieties include Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Feteasca Neagra, Merlot, Negru de Dragasani, and Cadarca. This breadth supports the winery's output of 68 different wines under 252 labels.

• Indigenous whites include Feteasca Regala and Tamaioasa Romaneasca
• Indigenous reds include Feteasca Neagra, Cadarca, and Negru de Dragasani
• International varieties span Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon
• Breadth of varieties supports 68 wines across 252 different labels

Cramele Recaș produces approximately 32 million bottles annually, making it Romania's largest wine producer and exporter by turnover. The winery's style is modern and fruit-driven, covering still, sparkling, orange, organic, and natural wines. It holds the distinction of being a pioneer in natural wine production in Eastern Europe. All wines have carried vegan certification since 2008. Between 2023 and 2024, the winery earned 55 medals and distinctions at international competitions, and its two chief winemakers, Hartley Smithers from Australia and Nora Iriarte from Spain, are ranked among the Top 100 winemakers globally.

• 32 million bottles produced annually; Romania's largest by volume and turnover since 2020
• Pioneer in natural wine production in Eastern Europe
• All wines vegan-certified since 2008
• 55 medals and distinctions at international competitions in 2023 and 2024