Iași

• Grasă de Cotnari: Lush, golden sweet wines with honeyed apricot, nuts, and floral notes; some late-harvest styles rival the world’s finest dessert wines.
• Tămâioasă Românească: Aromatic whites and off-dry wines with muscat-like aromas of honey and spice.
• Fetească Albă & Fetească Regală: Dry to semi-dry whites, light-bodied and floral, with bright acidity and hints of white peach or meadow blossoms.
• Frâncușă: Crisp, refreshing dry wines, often blended for added freshness.
• Busuioacă de Bohotin: Distinctive semi-sweet rosé or red, perfumed with basil and rose petals.
• Fetească Neagră: Deep-colored reds, juicy with dark berry, spice, and soft tannins.
• International Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon bring crispness, fruit, and structure to blends and varietal wines.

Iași’s terroir boasts rolling hills, rich chernozem soils, and a temperate-continental climate, perfect for growing quality grapes. Vineyards range from 150 to 400 meters in elevation, with slopes that improve sun exposure and airflow. The diverse soils, from black earth to limestone, support various grape types, enhancing the region's wines with body and aroma.

The climate features cold winters and hot summers, with average temperatures around 9–10°C and summer highs reaching 35°C. Cotnari enjoys milder conditions, allowing long ripening for sweet wines. Rainfall averages 550–600 mm annually, with dry spells in late summer helping grape ripening. Recent climate changes have improved conditions for late-ripening varieties, though drought stress remains a challenge. The mix of cool nights and warm days ensures wines with crisp acidity and rich flavors.

Iași County boasts a captivating blend of age-old wineries and modern innovators, reflecting Romania's rich wine heritage. Among the most notable is Cotnari Winery, revered for its sweet Grasă de Cotnari wines and deeply rooted in history. Agroindustriala Bucium, with origins dating to 1469, offers a spectrum of wines from local and international grapes. Gramma, a boutique estate, features aromatic whites crafted with minimal intervention. Hermeziu Winery stands out for its award-winning wines and hospitality offerings. Lastly, Strunga Winery revives a historic vineyard with a focus on sustainable practices and limited-production wines. These producers embody the dynamic spirit of Iași's wine scene, blending tradition with innovation.

In Iași, sustainability is a cornerstone of winemaking, as producers focus on ecological balance and cultural preservation. Vineyards are increasingly adopting organic practices, replacing synthetic pesticides with natural treatments to enhance biodiversity and protect soil and water quality. Drip-irrigation systems help manage water use during hotter summers, while renewable energy sources like solar panels are reducing carbon footprints.

Preserving native grape varieties such as Grasă and Fetească is crucial, maintaining genetic diversity and cultural heritage. Collaboration with local research institutions aids in developing disease-resistant vines and natural pest control methods. Economic sustainability is also key, with family-run estates passing on sustainable practices to future generations. By aligning with global green trends, Iași wineries remain competitive, showcasing organic and low-sulfite wines at international fairs, ensuring a thriving future for the region's rich winemaking tradition.

Wine tourism in Iași, Romania, offers a rich blend of tradition and innovation. Visitors explore historic wineries like Cotnari, famous for its sweet Grasă de Cotnari, and modern estates such as Hermeziu, known for hospitality and award-winning wines. Scenic tours often include stops at cultural sites like monasteries and castles, providing a full cultural experience. The region is renowned for its diverse grape varieties, including Fetească Neagră and Busuioacă de Bohotin, which thrive in Iași’s unique terroir of rolling hills and temperate climate.

• Cotnari: Experience historic cellars and Grasă de Cotnari wines.
• Hermeziu: Enjoy modern winery tours with vineyard views.
• Bucium: Explore oak cask cellars on Iași’s hills.

Wine festivals and local cuisine enhance the visit, making Iași a must-see for wine enthusiasts.