Crama Olterra Luturi Cabernet Sauvignon & Negru de Drăgășani

Crama Olterra Luturi feels wonderfully rooted in the newer wave of Romanian wine producers rediscovering just how good local vineyards and native grapes can actually be once people stop trying to imitate everyone else. Based in Moldova’s historic wine-growing regions, the winery combines modern winemaking with a strong connection to local tradition and indigenous varieties.

Romania remains one of Europe’s oldest wine-producing countries, yet somehow still flies under the radar internationally despite having ridiculous vineyard history and genuinely fascinating grapes. Producers like Olterra Luturi are helping change that by focusing on wines with freshness, identity and proper regional character instead of anonymous international styles.

The wines tend to balance ripe fruit with lovely acidity and soft spice, often using varieties like Fetească Neagră and Fetească Albă alongside more familiar international grapes. The reds can be juicy, herbal and earthy in a very charming eastern European way, while the whites usually carry bright orchard fruit and floral freshness.

What makes the winery especially enjoyable is the sense of authenticity. These wines don’t feel engineered by committee for global supermarket shelves. They feel tied to place and culture in a much more natural way.

There’s also something very exciting about modern Romanian wine generally. The country quietly has all the ingredients for greatness: old vineyards, diverse terroirs, native grapes and producers increasingly confident enough to lean into their own identity.

Which, in wine, is usually when things start getting really interesting.