instastory
PUBLISHED ON
March 28, 2025
BY
1 year and a bit after Covid, lockdown lifted, but still heavily restricted when it came to traveling abroad (and, to be honest, we were still a little paranoid).
So, for our May 1st mini-vacation, we had no choice but to go domestic. We skipped mountains, skipped the seaside, and headed straight for one of Romania’s most famous and sun-drenched wine regions: Valea Prahovei – Dealu Mare. Our plan? Follow the “Wine Road” as much as possible, a 60 km stretch packed with thousands of hectares of vineyards (14,500 ha, to be exact) and legendary wineries. Our first pick? LacertA, a deeply personal choice, because back then, their wines were the ones that never missed our holiday tables. We didn’t know much, but LacertA meant “rich” wines, reserved for special occasions only. A few weeks before departure, we started researching… and hit a wall: LacertA didn’t offer on-site accommodation, only winery tours and tasting packages. Hmm… tricky with the tastings, since one of us had to drive. We scoured Booking, Airbnb, Google Maps… nothing. So I sent an email to LacertA, and they kindly sent back accommodation recommendations—but not at the winery. The closest was 8 km away, the other 21 km. Both seemed decent, but no transport to or from the winery.
(UPDATE 2025: good news—things have changed! LacertA now has LacertA Retreat—three Scandinavian-style cabins right in the middle of the vineyard ) Our solution back then: designated driver on duty and lodging nearby.
Done and done!
We booked via Booking.com “Casa Seciu”, a hotel and event center (oh, the events, you’ll see ), built on the site of an old winery once owned by boyar Rațiu. Decent price, available for 6 people (we were 3 couples), and relatively close to LacertA (50 km). After a 5-hour drive from Sibiu, we finally spotted Casa Seciu… with a stunning panoramic view over Ploiești (and, um, some gas rigs in the distance). But the vineyard that once draped the hill where the hotel now stood? Sadly, abandoned. We tried to get answers from the staff, but no one could explain why. First impression: solid. Rustic-style rooms, lots of wooden sculptures, hunting trophies, and furs, a very “hunting lodge” vibe.
We didn’t linger long, because we were in a rush to catch the tasting at LacertA. We covered another stretch of the Wine Road, very discreetly signposted, but thrilled to finally see Valea Călugărească for the first time (the ancestral home for some committee members 
), as well as Conacul Matac, a century-old jewel on a former Cantacuzino estate… though by now, sadly, a ruin. The manor was used in the ’60s as a filming location for two iconic Romanian movies (“Secretul lui Bachus” and “Colierul de Turcoaze”) and became even more famous for the wine tastings Ceaușescu hosted there for VIP guests like Richard Nixon and Fidel Castro.
Right after Mizil, we turned left and suddenly found ourselves in Buzău County. For a moment we thought we’d taken a wrong turn, until, in the distance, we spotted the LacertA vineyard with the imposing Dorobanțu Manor (later we learned it was built in 1901 and renovated in 2005). We parked and realized we weren’t the only ones with such “original” ideas for a May 1st mini-vacation, so the atmosphere was pretty lively. Even now, after visiting dozens of wineries, my first impression of the guided tour at LacertA still stands: extremely well-organized, spotlessly clean, and impeccably maintained, no surprise given the Austrian ownership, yet modern, with state-of-the-art technology.
We learned a ton about the winemaking stages and winery capacity, but here’s the essence we took away:
- vineyard name: “LacertA” from Latin, meaning little lizard
… why? Because, apparently, the ideal soil for grapes is recognized by the presence of these creatures scurrying all over the vineyard (hence the LacertA logo). - location: along the 45th parallel -> ideal for grape growing (note: regions between 30–50° latitude in both the northern and southern hemispheres fall within the famous “wine belt” – offering perfect conditions for viticulture, e.g., Bordeaux, Piedmont, etc.).
- varietals: 6 reds (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Burgund Royal, Fetească Neagră) and 6 whites (Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Rheinriesling, Muscat Ottonel, Chardonnay, Fetească Albă).
- quality: premium… and beyond… we mentioned earlier that LacertA wines were our “show-off” bottles, and rightly so, they’re award-winning and internationally recognized (fun fact: LacertA also produces a more accessible line for everyday use under the Cameleon range, usually carefully calibrated blends by Austrian and Romanian oenologists from various grape varieties and vintages).
… why? Because, apparently, the ideal soil for grapes is recognized by the presence of these creatures scurrying all over the vineyard (hence the LacertA logo).Tasting begins 
, and the standout memory is the appearance (and refusal to use) the wine spittoon. This useful, if not mandatory, vessel in wine tastings, became the source of jokes, teasing, and memes even to this day, because at our table, this spittoon remained perpetually empty (the guys made sure of that ).
We all left LacertA very merry, grateful to the guide for the vineyard stories, the experience, and above all, our “designated driver”
The story doesn’t end here; it continues with the legendary evening (or night, or even morning) at Casa Seciu. I mentioned their events earlier, and our crew became unwilling witnesses to one such bash; turns out one of our rooms had direct access to the stage (VIP). It wasn’t entirely clear what kind of event it was, but given the setup, the music (mostly “manele”), and the guests’ toasts, we all unanimously agreed: sweet 16 party.After a “stormy night,” we made it to breakfast; one I’ll remember forever, because that’s where I had hard-boiled eggs served already peeled. Yes… mixed feelings… it was an experience.Stay tuned for more adventures on the “Wine Road”!
Info:
Wine Roads are tourist routes specially created to guide you through the heart of Romania’s wine and historic regions. These roads offer you the opportunity to discover picturesque landscapes, visit renowned wineries, and taste local wines, all set in an atmosphere rich in history and tradition.
