It is early in the morning in Azuga. My eyes stumble upon the shit of paper with the daily schedule. To soon to face the cold winter weather. However, the first activity of the day is the visit to the Rhein Wine Cellars. I have passed dozens of times in the past through Azuga but I ignored the direction panel to the cellars every time. It is time to correct this. So I gather my courage and proceed as planned. The snow cracks under my boots. Heavy icicles have formed overnight decorate the edge of the roof. It is so quiet. During the week there are few tourists in the mountain resort. All for the better, I have the freedom to wander at will.
” At the Rhein & Cie Azuga 1892 Cellars I am invited inside the dark interior of the buildings. This location is the only place were sparkling wine has been produced for years without interruption.”
I should also add that since 2009 the Halewood Winery received the status of “Supplier of His Majesty King Michael I” for sparkling wines, available until 2016.
I look closely at the rows of bottles that seem to go on forever, disappearing into the darkness of the corridors. We get explanations about the process of forming the perfect wine, about the time necessary to obtain the magic liquid. On the wall above the entrance a plaque is inscribed: “Do not play at work”. Once we find that pressure & smashed glass from a single bottle (in case of explosion, breakage etc.) can leave you crippled, we suddenly become attentive. In Romania there are no more factories for the production of sparkling wine bottles. Now, all the bottles are imported and special care is taken in handling theme.
If you want to visit the wineries, opening hours are from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. Visits & tastings can also happen outside the normal visiting hours. But this is valid with reservations made in advance and only for groups of minimum 8 persons. It is an experience that I recommend to you all. You get to find out original stories about the place history, enjoy quality wine and certainly a stop at the Rhein restaurant brings a smile on your face.
As a bonus, enter the shop nearby, the wines displayed on the shelves have considerable discounts. Whether you want a local wine or an import one, there is a pretty decent variety at your disposal. Precisely the reason why I went home with a bottle of red wine. To go with the stories I am telling my friends about the visit here.
ps: If you go to see the wineries in the spring, take a ride through the 2 ha park of the area. It is the walking place for King Mihai I when he comes to visit the vineyards.
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