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Travel Guide to Banat Wine Region

The Banat wine region of Romania is located in the southwest of the country and is its smallest wine-growing area. The history of viticulture in the Banat wine region dates back to the Roman Empire in the 3rd century. Banat wine region is bordered by Serbia to the south, the Mures Valley to the north and the Banat Mountains to the east.

Find out about Wine Tasting & Tours in Banat Wine Region to enjoy if you visit the region. 

Read the travel guide to Banat Wine Region to discover more about:

Ancient wines of Banat Wine Region

Cultural and natural places to visit in Banat Wine Region

Food to eat in Banat Wine Region

Ancient Wines of Banat Romania

The first mention of wine production in the Banat wine region was made in the Roman Empire during the 3rd century. Local legends state that the God Bachus and the Dacian Wine God were both born in Banat.

The climate of the Banat wine region is cool to moderate which is much colder than other Romanian wine regions, but warmer than those in other parts of central Europe. There is a strong Mediterranean influence in the Banat wine region giving it long hours of sunshine. The landscape of the Banat wine region is extremely mountainous, giving the vines protection and cooling wines during the hot summer months.

The relief of the Banat wine region descends from 500m to 100m, covering hills and plains. The soils are mainly brown podzolic soils that are eroded by gravel.

Grape Varieties:

Red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Black Feteasca, Grand Burgundy, Cadarca, Syrah, Novac

White varieties: Muscat Ottonel, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Royal Feteasca, White Feteasca, Italian Riesling, Majarca

The Red and White Wines of the Banat Wine Region

The Banat wine region in Romania produces both red and white local wines. The wines are well known for their full bouquets and persistent aromas.

Furmint grapes are used to produce wonderful dessert wines as well as dry wines that are similar in style to a Riesling.

The white wines of the Banat wine region are similar to those made in other cool climate European regions such as Germany.

Read more about Wineries in Banat Wine Region to visit.


The Attractions of Banat Wine Region  

Baile Herculane - The Spa Town of Banat  

Baile Herculane is a small town in the Banat wine region that is located in the valley of the Cerna River. The town is bordered by the Mehedinti Mountains to the east and the Cerna Mountains to the west. Baile Herculane attracts large numbers of visitors every year thanks to its spa which is thought of as having natural healing properties. Thanks to the spa the town has a wide range of modern hotels and resorts offering something for every traveller.

Baile_Herculane
Baile Herculane spa town, Banat wine region, Romania

Step Back in Time at the Banat Village Museum

The Banat Village Museum is an open-air museum located at the edge of the Green Forest in the Banat wine region. The museum is designed to resemble a traditional Banat village that includes peasant homes belonging to the many different ethnic groups of the Banat wine region. Other buildings in the museum complex include social buildings, a town hall, a school, a church and buildings housing folk art. The centre of the museum is the Village Civic Center and other attractions in the complex include the Alley of Ethnicities and the Living Museum.


Banat Wine Region Map

You can also check out our interactive map of the Banat Wine Region to discover wineries with open cellar doors.

Banat of Romania_Wine_Region_Map
Banat Wine Region Map

The Natural Beauty of Banat Wine Region

The Banat wine region is known as the land of rivers thanks to the three main rivers of the Banat wine region, the Crisul Alb, the Crisul Negro and the Crisul Repede. The natural beauty of the region makes it one of the most popular places to visit in Romania and the perfect destination for nature lovers.

The Domogled - Valea Cernai National Park

The Domogled-Valea Cernai National Park is a protected area in Banat Romania that covers the Cerna Mountains, the Godeanu Mountains, the Valcan Mountains and the Medinti Mountains. The nature reserve is located in the Retezat-Godeanu Mountain Range which is a group of mountains within the Cerna River basin. The flora, fauna, valleys, caves, waterfalls and mountain peaks of the nature reserve make it the perfect place to relax and experience the best of Romania’s natural beauty.

Domogled_National_Park
Domogled National Park, Banat wine region, Romania

Grota Haiducilor - The Caves of the Outlaws

The Grota Haiducilor is also known as the Outlaw Caves or the Thieves Cave. In order to access the caves, there is a long stairway that leads into a labyrinth that transforms one into another world. Although the entrance to the cave seems dark and overwhelming, just passed this point it leads to a wonderful green and wild environment.  The total length of the cave is 143 meters, providing visitors with plenty of space to explore and enjoy the unique space.


What to Eat in Banat Romania

The traditional cuisine of the Banat wine region consists of hearty dishes made with plenty of pork, beef, chicken and vegetables. The local foods have been strongly influenced by Greek, Italian and Serbian cultures and these dishes pair perfectly with the wonderful local wines.

Chicken Soup with Homemade Pasta - Banat Comfort Food at its Best

Traditional Banat chicken soup with homemade pasta is normally served as a hearty family meal on a weekend. The soup is usually made with chickens raised by the household itself. The pasta for the soup is made with flour and eggs and is formed into either diamond or rectangular shapes. Enjoying a warm bowl of chicken soup with pasta is the perfect way to feel like a local in Banat.

Chicken Stew Paprikash - The Chicken Stew of Banat

Chicken Stew Paprikash is a quick and easy chicken stew that is popular across the Banat wine region. To make the dish, the chicken is cooked with butter, flour, onion, paprika and salt. All of these ingredients are planted in a pot and cooked in a preheated oven until the sauce is reduced. Just before serving, the dish is seasoned with ground pepper and salt to taste.

Gombot - The Sweet Treat of Banat   

The Banat wine region is famous for its sweets, particularly the local Gombot. These sweets are made from plums that are covered in thick flour dough and mashed potatoes. The covered plums are then boiled and coated with breadcrumbs and sugar.

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Is Banat Serbian or Romanian?

At present, Banat is mainly home to Romanians, Serbs and Hungarians. But there are also small groups of people from other ethnic backgrounds that reside in the region. Most of them have their citizenship in either Serbia, Romania or Hungary.

Does Banat region produce good wine?

Yes, Banat is a good wine region in Romania that produces both red and white local wines. These wines are well-known for their full bouquets and persistent aromas. Furmint grapes are used to produce both wonderful dessert wines and dry wines similar in style to a Riesling. The white wines of the Banat wine region are similar to those made in other cool-climate European regions, such as Germany.

What is the best time to visit Banat?

The best time to visit Banat is in summer months! The climate in this region is largely similar to Central Europe's, with cold and wet weather conditions throughout the year.

Map of Wineries in Banat

Discover the locations of wineries in Banat

Subregions in Banat

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