Valeriu Stoica, the owner of Domeniul Vila Dobrușa – Crama Avincis, is reviving an exceptional Romanian grape variety, Alutus
On Tuesday, October 31, Domeniul Vila Dobrușa – Crama Avincis is launching a new wine, Cuvée Valerius – Alutus Primus, produced from a Romanian grape variety rediscovered at the Research Station for Viticulture and Viniculture in Drăgășani. The Alutus grape variety becomes the third original variety created in Drăgășani after the more well-known Crâmpoșie Selecționată, obtained through open crossbreeding in 1972, and Negru de Drăgășani, obtained in 1993 through the crossing of an old Romanian grape variety, Negru Vârtos, and Saperavi, a Georgian variety.
“In the viticulturist community in Drăgășani there were legends about the existence of an original grape variety that had never been cultivated. We discovered that there were still a few vines of this variety at the Research Station, a creation resulting from the crossbreeding of an old Romanian variety, Băbeasca Neagră, and the Georgian variety Saperavi. We practically saved this variety called Alutus, named after the Latin name of the Olt River. We grafted some Cabernet Sauvignon vines onto it and found that the wine made from these grapes has a potential at least as great as Negru de Drăgășani,” says Valeriu Stoica, the owner of Crama Avincis.
In 2020, the first harvest of Alutus took place from a half-hectare plot, and later, another 5 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were grafted onto it. Domeniul Vila Dobrușa – Crama Avincis is thus the only one in the world with a plantation of this grape variety. Following the winemaking process of the first harvest, fermentation in a stainless steel tank, and aging in French oak barrels, 2200 bottles of a spectacular wine were produced, characterized by a deep violet color, a broad aromatic palette, and a velvety flavor.
The presentation of Cuvée Valerius – Alutus Primus takes place as part of a larger gastronomic event organized by Cristian Preotu, the owner of the Le Manoir group, at Le Manoir Gourmet Market. “We are delighted to collaborate with Crama Avincis and the Stoica family in the revival of this Romanian grape variety. It is a special event for the local community of those who know and appreciate quality wine and is an eloquent example of merging tradition with modernity. We are pleased to present Cuvée Valerius – Alutus Primus in a special gastronomic context, alongside the menu created by Chef Daniel Pălici at Le Manoir Gourmet Market,” declares Cristian Preotu.
Le Manoir Gourmet Market, the result of the partnership between real estate developer One United Properties and Le Manoir, is a 400 sqm space bringing the Parisian atmosphere to Bucharest, with the best gastronomic products, fine wines, and artisanal sweets. The wide range of options is complemented by a bistro with dishes based on carefully selected products from this concept store, in a chic, relaxed atmosphere, with a menu signed by Daniel Pălici.
AVINCIS is the continuation of a family story, with a passion for wines and well-done work, which began in 1927. At that time, Maria and Iancu Râmniceanu, named as an officer of the Romanian army by Ionel Brătianu, bought a neo-Romanian style mansion in Drăgășani, inspired by the architecture of Brâncovenesc foundations, surrounded by vineyards. In 2007, their great-granddaughter, Cristiana, along with her husband, Valeriu Stoica, and their daughter, Andreea Stoica, returned to the family estate and had the revelation of the miracle of the vine, wines, and local traditions. Today, the Vila Dobrușa estate, which opened its doors to wine lovers in the summer of 2011, includes the mansion, AVINCIS winery, 43 hectares of vineyards, several hectares of forest, and landscaping. AVINCIS is the symbol of the rebirth of Romanian wine, under the sign of tradition and modernity