Over 12 million Euros invested in the "Domeniile Sâmbureşti" vineyards

• 230 hectares were replanted with noble grapevine

Starting in 2005, the winemaking and orcharding station called "Domeniile Sâmbureşti" is part of "Valvis Holding". The vineyards span 500 hectares and are located in the hills of the Oltenia region, where the Sâmbureşti vineyard was mentioned for the first time in 1521. In 2007, work began on planting noble vine and so far, 230 hectares have been completed.

Jean Valvis, the founder of "Valvis Holding" said: "The works performed in the Sâmbureşti vineyards since 2005 have cost 12 million Euros so far. We are currently able to process 150 tons of grapes a day. We store 4 million liters in big stainless steel containers and 0.5 million liters in wooden barrels. We are talking about the famous varieties of wine produced in this area, of which we are making around 15,000 bottles a day ".

Following a marketing campaign by the company, the wines made at Sâmbureşti have entered the retail chains. "So far, the strategy has pursued the development of a healthy distribution, accessing traditional retail chains and the foreign markets, as well as to increase the notoriety of the < Domeniile Sâmbureşti > brand. We have pursued the branding and sales campaign simultaneously", said Dan Ghejan, national sales manager of the "Domeniile Sâmbureşti" winemaker.

On the left bank of the Olt river, where the soil is rich in iron oxides, are grown the best varieties of grapes used for making red wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Fetească Neagră. The Sâmbureşti vineyard bottles three varieties of wine, from the more main-stream - Sâmburel de Olt, to the premium range - Domeniile Sâmbureşti or Private Reserve Chateau Valvis.

Since starting its operations in Romania, six months ago, winemaker "Domeniile Sâmbureşti" sold 50,000 bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon Domeniile Sâmbureşti. The commercial and distribution segment of the business was launched with an initial team of 4 people and an investment of more than 2 million Euros. "We are now 24 people and we distribute our wines in 37 counties ", said Dan Ghejan.

Until 2010, all the old grapevines were replaced with noble varieties of grapes under the careful watch of Romanian and French specialists. The winemaking process combines cutting edge technology with methods hundred of years of old. The vineyard hosts one of the oldest types of grapevine - "Fetească Neagră", which is irrigated with the latest type of technology which uses drippers.

"Valvis Holding", which began its operations in Romania in 1994, includes companies that operate in varied businesses: mineral water, agriculture, IT. In 2005, the holding acquired the winemaking and orcharding station "Domeniile Sâmbureşti".