Maramures wine region

Travel Guide to Maramures Wine Region

Step Back into Time in Maramures  

A trip to Maramures is like stepping back into time as the local residents have managed to preserve the culture and crafts of their Dacian ancestors.

The soil in this region is rich clay while the climate is temperate continental with high rainfalls in the summer months and plenty of snow in the winter.

Grape Varieties:

Red: Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Feteasca Neagra, Pinot Grigio

White: Riesling Italian, Riesling de Rin, Chardonnay, Cserszegi Fuszeres, Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Regala, Muscat Ottonel, Tămâioasă Românească

Western European Maramures Wines

The wines of the Maramures region are mainly acidic white wines that are perfect for the production of brandy. The most commonly grown grape varietal of the region is Pinot Grigio and the white wines made from these grapes are high in quality with a strong taste and a fruity character.

Where to Go in Maramures   

The Merry Cemetery in Sapanta – The Cemetery of Colour                 

The Merry Cemetery in Sapanta is a cemetery that is located in the village of Sapanta in Maramures. The cemetery is famous for its brightly coloured tombstones that are covered in paintings depicting the people who are buried there and the stories of their lives. Today the Merry Cemetery is an open-air museum and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region. What makes the Merry Cemetery even more unique is that it does not see death as something solemn or somber, but as a moment filled with joy and anticipation for better things to come. The history of the cemetery dates back to 1935 when a local artist sculpted the first tombstone crosses.

Journey Through the Prislop Pass

The Prislop Pass is a mountain pass located in the Maramures region of Romania. The pass connects the historical regions of Maramures and Bukovina and cuts through the Rodna Mountains in the Eastern Carpathian Mountains. The mountain road is situated at an elevation of 1 416 meters above sea level. The nearest city to the pass is Borsa and a visit here along the pass is the perfect way to explore the Romanian countryside.

Carved Wooden Gates – Gates in the Land of Wood

One of the signature sites of Maramures is the large wooden gates that beautifully align the alleyways of the region. These traditional wooden gates are found at the entrance to towns and public areas across Maramures. The gates are a cultural phenomenon of the region and are associated with the lords and nobility of the region. The original wooden gates were built with three wooden pillars that are used to support two entrances, as well as a horizontal upper pillar with a roof cover. There is a narrow entrance into the gates and alongside this there is a wider one for vehicles. The wooden gates are made using wood from the local oak trees.

The Beautiful Outdoors of Maramures     

The landscape of Maramures is largely defined by the imposing mountains of the region. These mountains provide a breathtakingly beautiful landscape and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

Rodnei Mountains National Park – Explore the Rodna Mountains

The Rodna National Park is situated in the Rodna Mountains in the north of Romania. The range forms part of the larger Eastern Carpathian Mountain Range and covers an area of 465 square kilometers, making it the largest national park in the Carpathian Mountains. This area is a UNESCO heritage side and visitors to the park can enjoy a wide range of caves, crevasses, forests, moraines, springs, mountains, and valleys.

The Izvorul Tausoarelor Cave

The Izvorul Tausoarelor Cave is located on the banks of the Izvorul Tausoarelor river in the Maramures region of Romania. The cave itself is 16km long, making it one of the largest in the Eastern Carpathian Mountains. Inside the cave there is a wide range of fauna and flora that is specific to the region. Unlike other caves, the Izvorul Tausoarelor cave does not have many stalactites and stalagmites but instead has many plaster crystals.

Pietrosul Mare Biosphere Reserve – Mount Pietrosul Mare

Mount Pietrosul Mare and the reserve in which it is located, form the biggest mountain complex in the Rodna Massif mountain range of the Eastern Carpathian Mountains. The area is not inhabited by people, but there are various rural villages surrounding the reserve that depend on agriculture, hunting and forestry. Mount Petrosul is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Maramures and should not be missed by all nature lovers.

Eat Your Way Through Maramures

The rich history of Maramures has strongly influenced the cuisine of the region. The most popular dishes of Maramures include many soups and stews that are rich, hearty and pair perfectly with the spectacular local red wines.

Dish one: Balmos   

Sub-title one: Delicious Cheese Polenta

Blamos is a traditional cheese polenta. This rich, smooth and cheesy dish is delicious and heartwarming. Blamos is often served with yogurt that makes it slightly tar. It is a perfect side dish that can be enjoyed with a fresh salad or a meat main course.

Dish two: Pasca       

Sub-title two: Romanian Easter Bread

Pasca is a traditional Romanian Easter bread. The bread is sweet with a touch of fresh lemon zest thanks to its filling of ricotta cheese, lemon and raisins. Pasca is beautiful to enjoy around Easter as it is braided with a 6 strand braid and then cooked until golden brown.

Dish three: Toba        

Sub-title three:  Pork Head Cheese

Toba is a Romanian local dish that is typically enjoyed over Christmas and New Year. The dish is made of jelly set with hand cut port meat and entrails. The word Toba means drum and it takes its name from the round and flat drum like shape of the meal.

We are currently improving our offerings in Maramures and you will soon discover the wineries of this region. In the meantime, you can explore Romania and book a great wine experience using our online services.

Read more about Wineries in Maramures to visit.