The STONE Winery – a new destination in wine tourism

Beginning of summer, the sun dominates the nature, dictating the rhythm of our daily existence. In such a setting, what could be more relaxing, more beneficial, cooler than a trip, a magical experience between endless rows of vines. We wanted to see how the grapes ripen, how the untold story of wine made with passion begins and ends.

And where could we go but to where our old Volkswagen knew the route by heart that had taken us so many times - Vineyard Dealu Mare.

Here the doors of a local winery opened to us, with fruity aromas in glasses and sensational culinary specialties. 90 km from Bucharest, we enjoyed wonderful views and a high quality wine tasting.

The winery we chose for this experience is called The Stone Winery. Why Stone? This question was answered by Mr. Robert Iacob, the sommelier and manager of the winery who was our guide throughout the visit. We are located in the village of Vadu Săpat, right on the border of Prahova and Buzău counties.

The winery's story begins at the beginning of the 20th century, between 1909-1912, when the exceptional Italian craftsmen built it in the heart of the Dealu Mare Vineyard. Built entirely of limestone (hence the winery's name), a material extracted from the Tohaniului area, the building impresses with the craftsmanship of the details and the unique properties of the stone, which regulate temperature and humidity, ideal for preserving wines.

After a period of abandonment, the winery's story was reborn in 2017, when its reconsolidation and reconstruction began. The current mansion, the restaurant and the accommodation were rebuilt from scratch, using reclaimed old materials – wood, joinery and brick – preserving the authenticity of the place. However, the original winery and production hall, dating back to 1912, were preserved and continue to be used for winemaking.

All these achievements were possible thanks to Mr. David Sandu, a 25-year-old entrepreneur, and his father who invested 2.5 million euros in the Stone Winery, a project started in Vadu Săpat, which includes, in addition to this boutique winery, a restaurant and an accommodation unit with twelve rooms.

"In the Vadu Săpat-Gura Vadu area, within a radius of five kilometers, there are ten wineries, but in all of Dealu Mare, from Ploieşti to Buzău, there are over 50" - David Sandu told us, with whom we had the opportunity to chat over a glass of wine.

Our visit continued with a presentation of the production hall and the winery where the miracle happens, transforming the grapes into the magical liquor. Among stainless steel tanks and in an exemplary cleanliness, the winery manager spoke to us in clear terms about the entire technological process and the wines produced here.

The vineyard plantation extends over almost 10 hectares, consisting mostly of old vines, between 45 and 70 years old. The varieties grown include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fetească Neagră, Fetească Regală, Fetească Albă and Riesling, with an emphasis on red wines, appreciated for their superior quality.

Approximately 30,000-35,000 bottles are produced annually, being a boutique winery, which emphasizes quality and not quantity.

The winery's flagship brands are:

Boian - inspired by one of the oldest Neolithic cultures in Romania, which celebrates fertility and the connection with nature. The wine labels bear the symbols of the woman and man from the Boian culture.

Aldavin - a tribute to the founders David and Alin Sandu, being used for limited editions of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, from the oldest vineyards.

The most expensive bottle of wine in the Stone Cellar costs 350 lei and is sold exclusively in the restaurant

Time passed by imperceptibly and we sat down at the table in the restaurant to taste the wines chosen by the sommelier.
We started with a dry Sauvignon Blanc 2023 – a fresh and expressive white wine. Next came Boian Premium, a dry blend of Fetească Albă and Fetească Regală, a very fragrant wine, with aromas that transported us to an apple orchard.

Then a Rose Special Edition – Merlot/ Pinot Noir Dry, a salmon-colored wine with orange reflections and delicate aromas. From the red wines we tasted Boian Clasic – Merlot/ Cabernet, a blend with a lot of personality, followed by Special Edition – Old Vines Merlot Dry, a wine barrique for 12 months in Romanian oak barrels and aged in bottle for at least 12 months.

At the end of the wine tasting, I had the privilege of enjoying, on the recommendation of the sommelier, Aldavin – Dry Cabernet Sauvignon 12 months aged in Romanian oak barrel, a premium wine, and then aged in bottle for at least 24 months. I felt aromas of bitter cherries, blackberries, blackcurrants, and in the taste, berries and dark chocolate predominated. This wine was my favorite.

All wines were paired with a carefully selected platter of cheeses, charcuterie, and grapes that wonderfully complemented the entire tasting experience.

After the wine tasting, the winery restaurant delighted our taste buds with a delicious lunch. That was our experience at Vadu Săpat where the locals have created an oasis of good taste and indulgence.

The Stone Winery is not just a destination for wine lovers, but a place where the connection with nature, tradition and refinement creates a memorable experience for every guest. I highly recommend you to discover the stories and flavor of this special place!