Romanian Wine Tasting

Romania’s wine country is close enough to Bucharest for a day trip, but far enough away to feel like a change of pace. This eight-hour outing visits two wineries in the Dealu Mare area, pairing cellar tours and guide commentary with two tastings of more than 10 wines.

I like two things about this plan: you get a look at both wine production and tasting etiquette, and the drive through the sub-Carpathian hills adds a change of scenery to the day. The small group limit of 15 also gives the tour a more personal scale than a large coach outing.

One point to check before booking: the details specify a University Square meeting point, while also mentioning pickup at select Bucharest hotels. Confirm your exact pickup arrangement, and remember that lunch is not included. Wine and snacks are included, but this is still a full day out.

• Two different winery stops: Visit LacertA for an introduction to wine history and production, then Budureasca for tasting etiquette.
• More than 10 wines: The two tasting sessions offer a substantial sample, though exact wines can vary.
• A guide adds context: Commentary helps connect the cellars, the wines, and the region. Guide Eugen has led some departures.
• Transport is covered: Round-trip travel in an air-conditioned minivan means you can enjoy the tastings without arranging a drive.
• Plan for a full day: The tour lasts about eight hours, starts at 9:30 am, and does not include lunch.

From Bucharest to Dealu Mare

The appeal of this tour is simple: you can explore Romanian wine without organizing two winery visits, transportation, and a tasting schedule on your own. The day takes you from central Bucharest into the sub-Carpathian hills, where LacertA and Budureasca offer two different angles on wine: production and history at the first stop, tasting technique at the second.

You’ll spend roughly eight hours on the outing, including the drive between Bucharest and the wineries. That makes this a substantial day trip, not a quick tasting squeezed between city sights. If your time in Bucharest is short, weigh the full-day commitment against other excursions. If you have a free day and want to see more of the countryside, the journey is part of the point.

The tour starts at 9:30 am at the Gray Line Romania meeting point at University Square, 9-5 Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta. The activity ends back at the meeting point. The tour information also mentions pickup and drop-off at select hotels, but the listed start details name the square. Check your confirmation for the arrangement that applies to your booking.

LacertA: An introduction to Romanian wine

The first stop is LacertA Winery. Here, the focus is on the history and production process behind the wine. A winery visit can make the glass in front of you more legible: you hear how production works, then taste wine with a little more context than a label alone can provide.

The guide’s commentary is part of the value. You are not simply being dropped at a cellar to taste without explanation. The tour is designed to connect the winery visit with broader information about Romania’s wine production, and the guide can help you follow the process and ask questions along the way.

The scenery is another part of the experience. The route takes you into the sub-Carpathian hills, and the winery area is associated with Dealu Mare. Expect a rural contrast with Bucharest, rather than a day focused only on interiors and tasting rooms. The precise views and conditions depend on the day, but the countryside is a stated feature of the outing.

Budureasca: Learning how to taste

At Budureasca, the emphasis shifts to the etiquette of wine tasting. That practical focus is useful if you enjoy wine but do not have much experience describing what you taste. You’ll have a chance to learn a more considered way to approach the glass, rather than treating the tasting as a quick succession of pours.

Across both wineries, the tour includes two tasting sessions with more than 10 types of wine. That is enough variety to make the tasting a central part of the day, not a token stop. The exact wines and order are not specified, so go with an open mind rather than expecting a particular grape or bottle.

The tastings are paired with snacks. That helps make the wine stops more comfortable, but it is not a substitute for lunch. Since lunch is not included and the tour lasts about eight hours, eat beforehand or plan to bring money for a meal if an opportunity is available. The tour information does not specify a lunch stop, so don’t count on a particular restaurant or schedule.

Why the guide matters

A good guide can turn a winery visit from a pleasant walk through a cellar into a useful introduction to the place and its wines. The tour includes a professional escort who provides commentary and assistance. Guide Eugen has led some departures and has been praised for sharing helpful information and stories about the wines.

That does not guarantee Eugen will lead your particular outing, so treat the name as a useful reference rather than a promise. Whoever leads the day, the guide’s role matters: they connect the two winery visits, help explain the production process, and give you a point of contact if you need assistance.

At the tastings, you may also hear directly from winery staff or winemakers. The experience has been particularly valued for the stories shared around the wines and the chance to taste with the people who make them. The details can vary by departure, but the format leaves room for more than a stand-and-sip routine.

The minivan and the small-group format

Round-trip transport is by air-conditioned minivan. That is a practical advantage on a wine tour: you don’t need to rent a car, navigate between wineries, or decide who will stay sober to drive. The transport is included in the price, along with the professional escort and tastings.

The maximum group size is 15. That is small enough to feel more manageable than a coach tour, especially when moving between winery stops or listening to an explanation. The minimum is three participants. If the minimum is not met, the operator will contact you with alternatives.

The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. It is for adults aged 18 and over. Those basics make the tour straightforward for English-speaking visitors, though anyone with questions about the meeting point or hotel pickup should confirm the details before departure.

Is $107.17 good value?

At $107.17 per person, this is not simply the cost of two glasses of wine. You are paying for a full day of round-trip transportation, an escort, visits to two wineries, and two tasting sessions covering more than 10 wines. For someone who wants to explore the region without arranging transport and appointments independently, that package can make good sense.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If your priority is tasting a wide range of wines in a relaxed setting, the two sessions and winery commentary are the main draw. If you are mainly looking for a cheap way to get out of Bucharest, the full-day duration and tasting-focused itinerary may be more than you need.

Remember to account for lunch, which is not included, and optional gratuities, which are also excluded. The tour does include snacks, but no meal. The price buys convenience and structured access to two wineries; it does not cover every expense you might have during the day.

Who should book this winery day

I’d consider this tour if you enjoy wine, want an introduction to Romanian production, and prefer having transport and winery visits organized for you. It also suits couples or small groups looking for a countryside day that is more focused than a general sightseeing trip.

It is a good fit for curious beginners as well as people who already enjoy wine. The tasting-etiquette session gives newcomers a useful framework, while the range of wines and stories can keep the day interesting for more experienced drinkers. You do not need to be an expert to get something from it.

Think twice if you want to spend most of the day in Bucharest, need a substantial included meal, or prefer to choose each winery and tasting at your own pace. The schedule is built around two set stops and shared transportation. You also need to be at least 18, and the group requires at least three participants to go ahead.

A few practical points before booking

The advertised start is 9:30 am at University Square, and the activity ends at the same meeting point. Since the description also refers to pickup at select hotels, check your booking confirmation so you know exactly where to meet. Arrive with enough time to find the Gray Line Romania meeting point.

The tour is priced in US dollars at $107.17 per person, and the average booking is made about 32 days in advance. That average is a planning clue, not a requirement, but booking ahead is sensible if your dates are fixed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the local time at the destination sets the cutoff. If the minimum group size is not met, you’ll be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a well-organized day in Romania’s wine country, value a guide’s commentary, and like the idea of sampling more than 10 wines across two winery visits. The strongest reasons to go are the combination of LacertA and Budureasca, the countryside setting, and transport that lets you focus on the tasting rather than the drive.

Skip it if a full day away from Bucharest feels like too much, or if you need lunch included. Before paying, confirm the pickup point and remember that the specific guide can vary. For a wine-minded visitor with a free day, this is a practical way to explore beyond the capital.

FAQ

How long is the Romanian Wine Tasting tour?

It lasts approximately eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:30 am.

Where does the tour meet?

The listed meeting point is University Square, at the Gray Line Romania meeting point, Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta 9-5, Bucharest. The tour information also mentions pickup at select hotels, so confirm your pickup details.

Which wineries does the tour visit?

It visits LacertA Winery and Budureasca Winery.

How many wine tastings are included?

Two tasting sessions are included, with more than 10 types of wine in total.

Is lunch included?

No. Wine tasting and snacks are included, but lunch is not.

What is included in the price?

The stated inclusions are round-trip transportation, a professional tour escort with commentary and assistance, and wine tasting. Pickup is listed from the central meeting point.

Is there a minimum age?

Yes. Participants must be at least 18 years old.

What happens if the minimum group size is not reached?

The tour requires at least three participants. If that minimum is not met, you’ll be offered an alternative date or experience, or a full refund.