Oltenia 2 Day Trip

Day 2

Oprisor Winery, Corcova & Danube Sunset

Morning: Craiova → Oprisor (≈1 h 30)
At Oprisor, creativity meets the warm, Danube-influenced hills of southern Oltenia. Your visit begins with a guided walk through the fermenting rooms and barrel cellar before a seated tasting that explores the estate’s signature ranges — the fruit-driven Caloian, the terroir-focused and barrique-aged La Cetate, and the expressive Oltenia Profunda (including cuvees like Dragaica, Rusalca, Smerenie). In the glass, expect generous reds such as Feteasca Neagra with dark plum and spice, vibrant Syrah with pepper and violets, silken Pinot Noir, and supple Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot) — balanced by fresh, aromatic whites like lightly oaked Chardonnay, zesty Sauvignon Blanc, floral Feteasca Alba and perfumed Muscat Ottonel. Visits are by appointment; allow around 1.5–2 hours for tour and tasting. An optional cheese/charcuterie pairing and a well-stocked shop make it easy to bring a piece of Oprisor home — a perfect complement to a second stop at Corcova and a late-afternoon Danube viewpoint.

Midday: Oprisor → Corcova (≈1 h)

Sheltered by oak forests and rolling Mehedinti hills, Corcova blends manor-house elegance with a quietly expressive terroir. Your visit typically starts with a guided walk through the vineyards and tank room, then moves into the restored salons for a seated tasting. In the glass, expect silk-textured Pinot Noir (red cherry, forest floor) and spicy Syrah (blackberry, cracked pepper), complemented by a pale, delicate dry rose; supple Bordeaux tones from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; plus seasonal whites such as citrus-led Sauvignon Blanc or floral Muscat Ottonel. Allow about 1.5–2 hours for the tour and tasting; cheese or charcuterie boards may be available on request, and the shop carries limited releases alongside estate favorites. Corcova pairs naturally with a morning at Oprisor and a late-afternoon Danube viewpoint for a relaxed, scenic finish to the day.

Danube Riverside Interlude – Drobeta-Turnu Severin (≈45–60 min)
Park by the central riverfront and take an easy stroll along the promenade, where wide boardwalks open to long, unbroken views across the Danube toward the Serbian hills. Pause for an espresso or lemonade at a terrace on the waterfront, then continue to the small piers and marina area for photos — this is the best spot to capture the big-sky horizon and river traffic sliding past. If you prefer a slightly higher vantage, add a short detour to the medieval fortress park above the quay for a broader panorama and a few quiet benches. Golden hour is spectacular here: soft light on the water, silhouettes of barges and the distant Iron Gates valley. Facilities are close at hand (cafes/restrooms), and parking is usually straightforward along the river. If you have extra time (≈30–40 min more), consider a brief drive west toward the Iron Gates area for an additional overlook; otherwise, return to the city center and continue your route.

Evening: Return to Craiova (≈1 h 45). Optional dinner stop on the way.

Morning: Craiova → Avincis (≈1 h 45)

Avincis Winery – Visit & Tasting
Perched above the Olt River on terraced slopes, Avincis blends contemporary architecture with manor-house heritage and wide, cinematic views. The visit typically begins in the gravity-flow cellar and barrel rooms, where your guide sets the scene with the estate story, then moves to a seated tasting on the terrace (weather permitting). Flights are curated to show Avincis’ signature style — precision, freshness and texture — rather than a long list of grapes; depending on season, you may encounter a focused exploration of one or two hallmark local varieties (for example Cramposie Selectionata or Negru de Dragasani) expressed through different parcels or winemaking choices. Expect unhurried pacing, detailed storytelling, and a strong sense of place framed by vineyard panoramas.

Good to Know
Visits are by appointment; allow ~1.5–2 hours for cellar tour and tasting. Seasonal cheese/charcuterie pairings may be available, and the shop often lists estate exclusives. Golden hour on the terrace is spectacular for photos. Avincis pairs naturally with an afternoon stop at Bauer and, time permitting, a cultural detour to Horezu (UNESCO).

Midday: Avincis → Bauer (≈20 min)

Bauer Winery – Visit & Tasting
Intimate, experimental and deeply terroir-driven, Bauer is the place where small lots and bold ideas take center stage. Your visit usually starts with a walk through the compact cellar to see the tools of the craft (stainless steel, older barrels; small tanks for micro-vinifications), then moves into a seated, story-led tasting. Instead of a long list of varieties, flights are curated around texture and place: side-by-side samples that compare parcels, picking times or elevage (stainless vs. older wood), plus seasonal releases that highlight fresh aromatics and precise acidity. Expect candid dialogue about decisions in the vineyard and in the cellar, with a clear focus on purity, balance and drinkability.

Good to Know
Visits are by appointment; allow ~1.5–2 hours for cellar tour and tasting. Quantities are limited and labels change with the vintages, so the shop often lists small, hard-to-find cuvees. Bauer pairs naturally with a morning stop at Avincis and, time permitting, a cultural detour to Horezu (UNESCO).

Late Afternoon: Horezu (≈45 min)
UNESCO monastery — serene courtyards and Brancovenesc frescoes — plus the famed pottery workshops. Traditional dinner with local cheeses and stews. Culture & dinner, ≈2–3 h. Overnight in Dragasani/Horezu area.

Day 2

Vinaltus Winery & Brancusi Ensemble

Morning: Winery Focus – Vinaltus (≈1 h 15)
Depart from the Dragasani/Horezu area toward Vinaltus, a newcomer known for clean, precise profiles and eco-minded vinification. After a short welcome on the terrace, your guide leads a compact cellar walkthrough focused on gentle handling and clarity of fruit, then a seated tasting that spotlights lifted whites and elegant reds. Expect a bright, citrus-mineral take on Sauvignon Blanc and a peppery, violet-tinged Syrah – often joined by a seasonal white or rose to underline the estate’s fresh, linear style. Weather permitting, a brief vineyard walk frames the high-ground exposures and breeze that shape the wines. Allow ≈1.5–2 h for tour & tasting.
Suggested flow: welcome & overview → cellar walkthrough (stainless/older wood) → seated flight (3–4 wines) with concise notes → quick shop stop for estate selections.

Afternoon: Targu Jiu – Brancusi Ensemble (≈1 h)
Continue to Targu Jiu for a contemplative open-air experience that links wine, form and space through Constantin Brancusi’s landmarks. Start in Central Park with the Table of Silence and Gate of the Kiss, then follow the shaded axis toward the boulevard for a coffee stop and city snapshots. From there, reach the separate park that hosts the Endless Column — a short drive or taxi away — where the vertical rhythm and changing light make for memorable photos, especially in late afternoon. Signage is clear, paths are level, and the sequence is easy to navigate at an unhurried pace. Sightseeing ≈1–1.5 h; return to Craiova ≈2 h.
Suggested flow: Central Park loop (Table of Silence → Gate of the Kiss) → coffee on the boulevard → short transfer to Endless Column Park → photos & golden-hour viewing → depart for Craiova.

Morning: Craiova → Vinarte – Castel Bolovanu (≈2 h)
Depart toward Vinarte – Castel Bolovanu, where mature vineyards and a classic cellar shape age-worthy wines. Begin with a short overlook of the slopes and an introduction to the estate’s philosophy, then step through the tank hall and barrel rooms to see how structure and finesse are built in the glass. The seated tasting highlights the house style: layered reds with cassis, cedar and a graphite edge, alongside a crisp white flight with orchard fruit and mineral lift. When available, parallel pours (different parcels, barrique vs. stainless, or two close vintages) reveal how time and elevage refine texture and length. A brief shop stop closes the visit, with limited releases and library picks occasionally on offer. Allow ≈2 h for tour & tasting.
Suggested flow: welcome & vineyard outlook → cellar walkthrough (stainless/barrel) → seated tasting (3–5 wines) with concise notes → shop stop.

Afternoon: Vinarte → Galicea Mare (≈1 h)
Continue to Galicea Mare, a noble estate revived with modern precision. Tastings unfold in restored manor salons or a landscaped courtyard, where the ambiance is warm, timeless and distinctly photogenic. Flights are curated for depth rather than breadth: a velvety expression of Feteasca Neagra that balances ripe fruit and fine spice, a fragrant, gently off-dry or dry Muscat Ottonel with floral lift, and a seasonal white or rose to underline freshness. If weather allows, add a short stroll among the rows for golden-hour photos before returning to the manor for a final pour. Estate visit ≈1.5–2 h.
Suggested flow: manor welcome & estate story → seated tasting (3–4 wines) → optional vineyard walk & photo stop → boutique shop.

Evening: Country-style Dinner & Overnight
Settle into a nearby guesthouse or boutique hotel. Dinner leans rustic—seasonal soups, roasts, local cheeses and breads—paired with a favorite bottle from the day. A quiet terrace and countryside night sky make for an easy close to Day 1.

Day 2

Stirbey Heritage & Cultural Options

Morning: Stirbey – Dragasani (≈45–60 min)
Set out for Stirbey, a manor estate overlooking the Olt valley where heritage meets precision. After a short outlook over the terraced slopes, your guide leads a calm cellar walkthrough and a seated tasting that focuses on clarity, texture and a strong sense of place. You will often explore a crisp, mineral expression of Feteasca Regala alongside a spicy, violet-tinged Novac, framed by graceful house blends. The pacing is unhurried, with ample time for questions and photos—vineyard panoramas and the manor’s quiet salons make memorable backdrops. Allow ≈1.5–2 h for tour & tasting.
Suggested flow: terrace welcome & estate story → compact cellar tour → seated flight (3–4 wines) with concise notes → photo stop in the courtyard or vineyard edge → boutique shop.

Afternoon: Choose your cultural finale
Horezu (≈45 min) — a serene UNESCO ensemble of monastery courtyards and frescoed interiors, complemented by the region’s famed pottery ateliers. Browse handcrafted ceramics, meet artisans, and enjoy a relaxed coffee in the village. Wayfinding is simple; paths are level and shaded in parts.

Brancusi – Targu Jiu (≈1 h 15) — follow the contemplative sequence from the Table of Silence to the Gate of the Kiss in Central Park, then make the short transfer to the park of the Endless Column. The changing light across the vertical modules is striking, especially late afternoon. Cafes along the boulevard offer an easy pause between sites. Plan ≈1–1.5 h for sightseeing.

Evening: Return to Craiova (≈2 h)
Drive back through rolling hills toward the city. Optional dinner stop en route at a countryside inn, or head straight to your hotel and toast the day with a final glass.