Cotnari Vineyards

Cotnari

One of Romania's oldest and most celebrated wine regions, famous for its aromatic white wines dating back to medieval times. Visitors can tour cellars and taste the historic Grasă and Tămâioasă varieties.

Things to do

• Tour the Cotnari winery cellars — Explore the vast underground cellars where the region's famous sweet white wines have been aged for centuries.
• Taste Grasă de Cotnari — Sample the noble-rot-affected sweet wine that made this region legendary since medieval times.
• Sample Tămâioasă Românească — Try the aromatic 'frankincense grape' wine known for its intense floral and spicy bouquet.
• Visit the vineyards on the hills — Walk or drive through the terraced vineyard slopes that stretch across the Cotnari plateau in Iași County.
• Explore nearby Hârlău town — Discover the medieval royal court ruins and the Church of St. George founded by Stephen the Great.
• Learn about Frâncușă and Fetească Albă — Discover the local white grape varieties beyond the famous sweet wines during a guided tasting.
• Visit during the autumn grape harvest — Join the vibrant vendimia season in September and October when the vineyards come alive with picking activity.

Food to try

• Tochitură moldovenească — A hearty Moldavian pork stew served with mămăligă, fried egg, and local sheep cheese.
• Mămăligă with brânză and smântână — Cornmeal polenta topped with salty sheep cheese and sour cream, a Moldavian staple.
• Sarmale — Cabbage rolls stuffed with minced meat and rice, traditionally paired with polenta at festive meals.
• Plăcintă cu brânză — Flaky Moldavian pastry filled with sweet or salty cheese, sold at local bakeries.
• Cozonac — A sweet braided bread filled with walnuts and cocoa, often enjoyed with the sweet Cotnari dessert wines.

Local customs & good to know

• Pair sweet wines thoughtfully — Grasă de Cotnari is a dessert wine best enjoyed with cheeses or after a meal rather than with savory main courses.
• Book cellar tours ahead — The main Cotnari winery requires advance reservations for guided tours and tastings, especially outside summer.
• Bring a raised glass toast — Romanians toast with 'Noroc' (good luck) and it is polite to make eye contact when clinking glasses.
• Rent a car for the region — Cotnari lies in rural Iași County with limited public transport, so driving from Iași city is the easiest way to visit.

Nearby

• Neamț Citadel — 49 km
• Iași — 52 km
• Neamț Monastery — 60 km
• Suceava (Bucovina) — 63 km