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The Cotnari vineyard is part of the wine-growing region of Moldavia’s Plateau, being one of Europe’s most famous vineyards, with a history of about 2,000 years and an area of 1,750 hectares, combining the natural factors (relief, climate, soil) with that of human factors (folk traditions, know-how, etc.).
The microclimate is characterized by average annual temperatures of 9 degrees Celsius, 475 mm annual average rainfall and dominant winds from the NW, SE, S, constituting an environment conducive to the cultivation of the vine and the production of quality wines. Cotnari Wine House is an ambitious project, started in 2007, by setting up new plantations in the vineyard, made up of the traditional Grape Cotnari, Tamaioasa Romaneasca and Feteasca Alba varieties, joined by Busuioaca and Feteasca Neagra
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The presence of the Feteasca Negru variety in the Cotnari vineyard is not an element of innovation. In the ceramic pots of the Cucuteni culture, a town located 11 km from Cotnari (one of the most blooming Neolithic civilizations between 5500 and 2750 before our era), there were grapes and traces of what seems to come.
According to the documents in the National Archives (Arch. St. Bucharest, dossier 1012, p. 8), in 1899 the head of the viticulture service of the Ministry of Agriculture, when traveling to France, visited the agricultural schools in Montpellier and Ecully (Beaujolais). The directors of these schools expressed the wish that “they would be happy to have some of our main Romanian varieties and vines in their school collections.” Returned to Bucharest, the Romanian delegate proposes to the Ministry to send 50 cattle from our main varieties from Cotnari, Odobeşti, Dealul Mare, Drăgăşani and Mehedinţi vineyards. The wine Inspector from Cotnari reported that, to be sent to France they had “absolutely genuine” string of the following varieties: Grasă de Cotnari, Fetească Albă, FETEASCĂ NEAGRĂ, Coarnă Albă, Coarnă Neagra, Mustoasă, Plavae, and Galbenă. From Cotnari, the following “absolutely authentic, indigenous, verified and authentic” vines were sent to France: Grasă de Cotnari, FETEASCĂ NEAGRĂ, Fetească Albă, Plavae, Mustoasă, and Galbenă.

So we can say, correctly, that Feteasca Neagră vineyard was REPLANTED in Cotnari, and not PLANTED.

A very important aspect, which is to be appreciated, is the fact that in Cotnari vineyard the tradition was preserved, and only old Romanian varieties can be found Grasă de Cotnari, Tămâioasă Românească, Fetească Albă, Francușă, Busuioacă, and Fetească Neagră.

The Cotnari Wine House is located in Cîrjoaia, at Vlădoianu Castle, built in 1901 by the former Governor of the National Bank, boyar Vasile Vladoianu, along with his wife Raliţa Bals, descendant of the boy Balş. The building of the castle used an Italian project and materials brought from Italy. As time went by, the domain was assigned various destinations: during the Second World War it was used by the Russian army as a hospital and between 1945 and 1950 it functioned as an orphanage. After 1950, the CAP acquired it being then taken over by IAS Cotnari. In 2000 he was returned to the heirs of law from which he was subsequently acquired. At present, over Vlădoianu Castle has left its mark the passage of time, but in the future it is aimed at realizing a unique project of restoration of the domain, which will give it the brilliance of the time, specific belle époque.

The surface exploited by Cotnari Wine House is composed of Fetească Neagră – 100 ha, Busuioacă – 75 ha, Tămâioasă Românească – 75 ha, Grasă de Cotnari – 50 ha and Fetească Albă – 50 ha. Being a premium producer of quality grapes, Cotnari Wine Plantations have been set up with state-of-the-art technology, aiming at a low plant density (3646 plants per hectare), a great distance between rows, m) which allows efficient air circulation and modern works. The vineyard works are carried out so that the amount of grapes harvested per hectare does not exceed 6 tons (Grass of Cotnari, Tămâioasă Românească, Fetească Albă, and Busuioacă) and 5 tons (Fetească Neagră) with a minimum of 230 grams of sugar.

The completion of Vlădoianu wine cellar, located behind Vlădoianu Castle, is the first stage of the wine investment plan of the Cotnari Wine House. Located on the site of the old wine cellar, where the Vladianu boyar produced the wine obtained from the grapes harvesting about the 50 hectares he managed, and the 15 meter deep cellar, 6 meters high, with an area of approximately 200 square meters, where it stores the wine produced, Vlădoianu wine cellar is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for vinification of red grapes.

Although the initial investment plan provided for the construction of a new wine cellar within the Vlădoianu domain, endowed with state-of-the-art technologies in wine grape vinification, September 2013 brought a major but beneficial change by purchasing an old wine cellar: Axinte Wine Cellar.
John Axinte, a well-known lawyer and former prefect of Iasi, “skilled vine grower “, acquired in 1933, from the famous soprano Hariclea Darclee a 3-rope vine and 53 rods for the purpose of winemaking the grapes obtained.
At that time, specific to Cotnari vineyard, it was the vinification of traditional grapes by families with small vineyards. Among these families, prior to the acquisition made by Ioan Axinte, famous in the Vineyard, was the Terente winemakers’ family, who had come to sell the “wine bottle”, whose couples remained unknown at a price of 700 lei, to the House of Commons of Egypt and Ethiopia.
In a short period of time after the acquisition of the vineyards by Ioan Axinte, [according to the 1969 accounts, published in the Chronicle of the Cotnaries, (Bucharest, 1971, p. 214)], after an exceptional year, when the harvest took place late, and the stum obtained was processed in a way unknown, the coupage of three traditional varieties of the famous vine grower was sold at a price of 1500 lei (about 10 $) per “bottle”, being searched as “grass of cure”.
This considerable increase in quality, in such a short time, made him famous in the Vineyard, being elected in 1936 as vice-president of the Cotnari Cooperative Society, which aimed at vinification under higher technical conditions of the grapes, as well and the capitalization of wine at more advantageous prices.
Thus, the well-known lawyer and former prefect of Iasi, who soon became a skilled winemaker, had a decisive role in increasing the quality of the wines produced in the Cotnari vineyard, a mission which the Cotnari Wine House uses for the future.
The history of the winemaker was the decisive reason for the acquisition of Axinte wine cellar, the Cotnari Wine House, aiming to combine modernism with the long experience and history of the place.
Although at present the Axinte wine cellar is in an advanced state of deterioration, at the end of the investments, here will be obtained white and rose wines, but also sparkling and distilled wines.

The products found in the two varieties of Cotnari Wine House (Cotnari Domenii and Colocviu) combine innovation (the shape of bottles, labels, hoods, contents) with the traditionalism (the history of the wineries, the Romanian native varieties) fusion specific to the Cotnari Wine House.

colocviu

The products of the COLOCVIU range are individualized by associating with the most powerful cities in Europe: Rome – Tămâioasă Românească sec, Moscow – Grasă de Cotnari dry, Athens – Fetească albă sec and Paris – Busuioacă de Bohotin sec.

Through Rome (Colosseum), the capital of the Roman Empire, it is suggested the advanced technology and innovation found at Cotnari Wine House through investments in state-of-the-art technologies.

Through Athens (Parthenon), recognized as a cradle of politics and philosophy, we wanted to highlight the new philosophy on which the Cotnari Wine House project is based, the policy change from the vineyard, with emphasis on wine-making and sales orientation to the HoReCa segment.

Through Moscow (St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square), the capital of the arts, it is suggested the consumer segment addressed to Cotnari Wine House, art defining best the elites.

We considered the association of Paris (the Eiffel Tower) with the first Busuioaca vinified dry, considering that the rose country is France and the color takes us with the thought of love, to the city of lovers – Paris.

 

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domenii

The name of Cotnari DOMAINS of one of HoReCa ranges comes from “Vlădoianu Domain”, the residence of the governor of the National Bank of Romania during the inter-war period, the Cotnari Wine House, “a domain of tradition brought back to life by the new generation of Cotnari.”

Regarding the horse that appears on the label, it refers directly to a series of stamps of Cotnari City Hall, which contain a horse as a symbol, dating back to 1869. Thus, we manage to fuse the past of the Vlădoianu Domain with the affinity of the noblemen for horses, a special label, Cotnari DOMAINS, which reflects the nobleness of the past.

 

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iris

The label of our wine is symbolically represented by the bird “Lamprotornis IRIS”, known in popular terms as the “Emerald Bird”: a small, keen bird, day-light crossing the sky, representing freedom in all its form. IRIS wines fully fulfill this symbol and complement our portfolio harmoniously, offering the Pure Romanian lover accessibility to a much larger product and can be found in all retail outlets in the country.

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We inherit a name. We inherit history. We inherit success and faith. We inherit the terroir. We inherit the territory where the sun shines all the time. We inherit the skill. We inherit the love and emotion of time. We inherit the secrets of wine …

The Cotnari Wine House has its roots in the ancient Romanian times, while the native varieges made rumors among the rulers and competed on the large boyars’ tables. The emblem of the Cotnari Wine House captures Vlădoianu Castle, built in 1901 by Vlădoianu himself, a former BNR governor and distinguished winegrower, as pure inspiration in the wine story. A story about winemaking craft, about success, about pure Romanian varieties from IRIS, Cotnari DOMENII and COLOCVIU.

Taste … and listen to the wine story…



The COLOCVIU range

The COLOCVIU range redefines the purity and noble taste specific to Romanian varieties. These wines are a true proof of innovation, a living message of harmony between carefully selected grapes from the best vineyards of the Cotnari vineyard and the vision of the oenologist towards modernism, reflected under the signature of Cotnari Wine House.  

COLOCVIU in Athens / Fetească albă dry

Tradition and innovation are the key words we have guided in producing this wine. Conceived from a genuine Romanian variety, Fetească Albă, COLOCVIU in Athens, reflects the perfection in winemaking, succeeding to accompany the taster with the freshness and complexity characteristic of the terroir. Represented by the symbol of Athens, the Parthenon, render the philosophy of the ancient Greeks in an innovative form, imposing their standards.  

COLOCVIU in Moscow / Grasă de Cotnari dry

In the vineyards of the Moldavian Plateau, Grasa was known since Harlau was a flourishing trade fair. It is said that the cupbearer served the prince Stephen the Great, in silver cups, the golden licorice. St. Basil, the Red Square Cathedral, graphically rendered in the label, defines art in its various forms. Nowadays, vinification in the dry season, proposes to the taster a wine with a rare aromatic complexity, respecting the tradition and the typicality of the variety.  

COLOCVIU in Rome / Tămâioasă Românească dry

In the past, the liquid gold produced from Tămâioasa Românească was used as a currency for exchange. In Rome the wine was carefully turned into golden cups and served to the emperors. Complex flavors, unique taste and wine-making, define the oenologist’s craftsmanship, making it an exclusive product for the well-meaning connoisseur. It is a kind that harmoniously complements the magic of the eternal city.

COLOCVIU in Paris / Busuioacă de Bohotin dry

Paris and the city lights seen from the Montmartre hill. A unique variety, like the city referred to in the label. Busuioaca planted in 2007 in the vineyard, can be defined a rare pearl, from which we produce a limited edition. Delicate pink shades, appealing flavors, pleasant and round taste defining the typical of the variety. A new vision of love. An emblematic wine. Vive la vie en rose!

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Cotnari DOMAINS Range

The Cotnari Domains range conquers you, carrying you unimaginable peaks. The sun, the water, the wind, the tradition and, last but not least, the courage, create these perfect wines. It touches the heights of success by opening the vision to a new world. 

Be free, redefine your spirit, and listen to your heart… 

Cotnari DOMAINS / Fetească albă dry

A wine from a traditional Romanian variety, painstakingly vinified by a young oenologist. Harvested at full maturity (CMD), when autumn tame the rays of the sun that passes through the leaves of the vine. It is the time of harvest, and Feteasca Albă carefully selected, is worn in small crates in the wine cellar, where good hands will turn it into wine appreciated by connoisseurs all over the country. Well cooled, he’ll be the confidant comrade in the early moments.

Cotnari DOMAINS / Grasă de Cotnari semi dry

A definition of pure Romanian wine that covers our entire vineyard since the time of Stephen the Great. Gathering in the late autumn while the grapes gather all the sweetness of the vineyards and envelops the sea but the last raging sunshine, this wine is an oenological pride that bears the name of / Grasă de Cotnari all over the world. An unblemished joy, galloping to a new world, reflects in the joy of the wine lover, linking real life stories.
Discover its purity …

Cotnari DOMAINS / Tămâioasâ Românescă semi dry

The variety preferred by the deities of the past, also used as an exchange currency thousands of years ago, is presented with gentle and mellowing forms through a vinification in the semi dry. Tămâioasâ Românească, served in glasses of crystal, reddens the sunny color among the vineyards of the Cotnari hills. Bodily virtue, divine flavors reverence enjoyed by connoisseurs.

Cotnari DOMAINS / Busuioacă de Bohotin semi dry

An incomparable variety. A unique, antique pink color with melted rose shades. The great connoisseurs describe it as the fourth onion part. Disturbing flavors, harvested from the highest peak of the vineyard, in Cârjoaia farm. A wine conceived from careful late harvests, Stamatius Vânătă de Moldova awakens the spirit to new temptations, opening a new perspective of the senses. Listen to your heart …

Cotnari DOMAINS / Fetească Neagră Rose dry

An authentic variety with a pink color and light ruby shades that ignite free visions towards the gate of love bearing the taster’s imagination to new lands. Manually harvested and chosen beans, this wine perfectly defines Feteasca Neagra from Moldova and awakens the spirit to new temptations, opening a new perspective of the senses. A wine that guides you to new horizons. Listen to your spirit …

Cotnari DOMAINS / Fetească Neagră dry

Since ancient times, our ancestors have enjoyed the red wine produced from the variety known as Fetească Neagră. The grape stumps found in the amphorae in the neighborhoods of Cotnari have outlined what today, undoubtedly, is the emblem of Romanian oenology. A breathtaking spirit that meets you cute with a unique and elegant flavor, gradually opening to new sensory horizons. Accept the challenge …

IRIS range

An emerald bird, who watches the sun rays safely towards the Earth in light years away, where the wines made with the purest Romanian varieties are born, proudly bearing the seal of the Cotnari Wine House.

IRIS The taste of freedom!

IRIS / Fetească albă dry

From the ground to the sky, this purely Romanian variety gives birth to the conversation, dressing up the clothes of a lifetime friendship. Looking in the glass, toward the sky, it has a pale straw color, like a brilliant sunrise, which swells wildly to the oenologist with the view on the hills of Cotnari on the warm autumn days. A wine that binds friends!

IRIS / Grasă de Cotnari semi dry

A unique variety in the world, vinified with a mistletoe in the demise, harmoniously combining all the fragrance found on Moldavian land with the innovation and spirit of a young oenologist from Cotnari. A majestic bird with a crystalline voice that acquires a rare aromatic complexity with beautiful golden nuances, carrying the art lover through the winged noble world. Discover the pleasures of Moldova!

IRIS / Tămâioasă Românească semi dry

A kind that harmoniously masters our Romanian soil, carrying all the vineyards of the Cotnari vineyard to the sky. The entire oenological skill, inherited from father to son, merged into a divine cry as a murmur of the traveling birds, offering the wine loving a true bodily virtue with special flavors, which deserves to be enjoyed with piety alongside loved ones. Live Romanian!

IRIS /  Busuioacă de Bohotin semi dry

The murmur of love defines this variety that gathers the birds of the sky under sunset, giving wings to those who discover it and purely Romanian moments to those who live it. An emblematic wine blending all the love of the people among the vineyards, all the oenologist’s gratitude and all the aromatic complexity of the grapes once called “Tamâioasă Vânătă de Moldova”. Listen to the chirping of love!

Coming soon…

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