With the highway currently ending at Albești-Paleologu, right between Pietroasa, Ceptura, and Urlați, the Dealu Mare region finally seems to have realized its true tourism potential. While guesthouses and hotels are not yet as dense as along the Prahova Valley, there are encouraging signs – both from wineries and from investors, wine lovers or not. Tourist offers are multiplying, from festivals to day trips, parties, and concerts.
Dealu Mare Wines on Show in Buzău
Autumn brings with it the harvest and the first tastings of the new wines. This very weekend, Buzău is hosting the Dealu Mare Wine & Food Festival, held in the gardens of the I.C. Brătianu museum complex. The event features live cooking sessions, dinners prepared by chefs Oana Coantă and Radu Dumitrescu, and wines from Crama DeMatei, Budureasca, Domeniile Franco-Române, 1000 de Chipuri, Mierla Albă, Aurelia Vișinescu, Viile Metamorfosis, and many others.
Escape to Dealu Mare, 2025 Edition
If you can’t make it to Buzău this weekend, you still have time to sign up for Escape to Dealu Mare, scheduled for September 27–28. The €70 ticket (approx. 350 lei) includes transportation, so you can fully enjoy the experience without worrying about driving. Each of the five itineraries includes visits to two wineries:
– Davino & Gramofon Wine
– SERVE & Dagon Wines
– Crama Budureasca & Licorna Winehouse
– Domeniile Franco-Române & Crama Strehan
– Aurelia Vișinescu/Domeniile Săhăteni & Domeniile Alexandrion 1892
Tickets also cover lunch, a guide, and tasting packages at the participating wineries. And don’t forget: on October 4, Gramofon Wine (which also offers accommodation) hosts the sixth edition of its now famous Must Party. A “must-go” indeed!
Luxury Among the Vineyards
Luxury in Dealu Mare may not rival that of Europe’s major cities, but it is present – and it’s tailored to the vineyard landscape. Casa Timiș sets the standard, a resort where fine dining, wellness facilities, and elegant bungalows complement the rolling hills, with rates starting from around €160/night.
Gramofon Inn, a hotel-museum (or, rather, art gallery) is set among the vineyards, with a pool, sauna, and art-themed rooms, offers stays from €130–150 per night. It is also well known for its lively parties marking the cycles of the vine, as well as for special concerts held in the winery’s courtyard.
Also in the luxury bracket, Conacul Apogeum – once owned by Romania’s Royal House and now part of the Tohani estate – brings history into the present. For absolute privacy, Moșia lui Mati offers modern vineyard bungalows, perfect for a romantic escape, at €120–200/night.
Premium – Elegance and Wine Experiences
The premium category brings together wineries and manor houses that combine refinement with direct access to the vineyards. Vinalia – Conacul din Ceptura boasts bright rooms, a pool, and lounge spaces, priced at €80–110/night. Licorna La Vie, at Gura Vadului, means sleeping “in the vineyard” with an on-site restaurant and tastings, for €70–100/night.
Casa Colinelor, part of 1000 de Chipuri winery, enhances the wine experience with hospitality and gastronomy, while nearby Conacul dintre Vii is one of the oldest premium guesthouses in the region. Crama de Piatră – Winery Hotel offers modern rooms and wooden chalets with saunas and hot tubs, and Jardine Hills invites groups and families to stay in self-catering cottages with pool and jacuzzi.
Also part of this category are Casa din Vie (Urlați), a small guesthouse with six rooms and its own hot tub, Arta Chalet in Ceptura, a striking A-frame lodge, and Conacul Nucu, near Urlați. Prices generally fall between €60 and €100/night.
Accessible – Authentic and Rustic Charm
For travelers who value simplicity and authenticity, Dealu Mare offers many budget-friendly options. Shurra Resort in Merei features bungalows with pool and restaurant, at €75–80/night. La Nuci, in Valea Scheilor, provides a cozy holiday home with terraces and a kitchen, for €40–70/night.
In Pietroasele, La Butoaie offers a truly unique experience: accommodation in giant wine barrels large enough for two people, alongside a small five-room guesthouse.
1001 Village in Jugureni, a tiny-house village, blends rustic charm with modern comfort, while Casa din Sat (Jugureni) and Le Bon Choix (Tohani) offer authentic escapes for under €60/night.
For alternative experiences, Grădina Magică a Lavandei in Urlați combines the fragrance of lavender fields with modern glamping, and Căsuța de pe Dealu Seciu delivers hillside peace at a very friendly price. Further off the beaten path, in Valea Crângului, Conacul de Vis lets guests choose between manor-style accommodation or a traditional farmhouse, alongside a host of outdoor activities.
In the home of some of Romania's finest wines
The first steps have clearly been taken toward transforming Dealu Mare into a weekend or even long-stay destination. The hills, covered in vineyards or left wild, are perfect for cycling and trekking. For lovers of fine things, the region offers both high-end restaurants with renowned chefs and rustic eateries focused on local produce.
Most importantly, Dealu Mare is home to some of Romania’s finest wineries – names that represent the country with pride at international competitions. From Cuvée Charlotte to Prince Matei, from Flamboyant to 3 Fete Negre, unforgettable wines are born here.
Choosing to spend a few days in Dealu Mare means more than escaping the city: it supports one of Romania’s most precious resources. As the area grows as a tourist destination, young people will return, jobs will multiply, and local gastronomy will flourish.
Every visitor matters, every place is an experience, and every sip of wine is a story worth telling. After all, wine tastes best when enjoyed at home – where it was born.
