Săhăteni estate in Dealu Mare, founded by Denis Thomas, with organic certification and Arrogance white and rosé wines.
The producer
At Săhăteni in Dealu Mare, Domeniile Franco-Române has a vineyard covering 85 hectares on south-facing slopes. Denis Thomas established the estate in 2000 after bringing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to a region he saw as climatically close to Bourgogne. Ecocert certification followed in 2006. Ownership moved in 2020 under investors led by Mihnea Olariu, and the winery later doubled its production capacity. The named Arrogance wines include a semi-dry Romanian white and a dry organic Merlot rosé.
Known for
Dealu Mare organic white and rosé
Notable facts
Domeniile Franco-Române was established in 2000 by Burgundy wine grower Denis Thomas.
The estate obtained Ecocert certification in 2006.
The vineyard covers 85 hectares in Dealu Mare.
The Persu-Eminescu vineyard belonged to Mihnea Olariu's great-grandparents since the 1840s and was reclaimed in 2002.
The story
The Ownership Transfer
In 2019, Mihnea Olariu, Mihnea Mihalache and Andrei Pănoiu began acquiring the vineyard and winery from Denis Thomas. The process was completed in 2020. Olariu then led the estate through modernization and an expansion that doubled production capacity. The new investors stated that they wanted to honour Thomas's work while bringing the wines to specialist shops in Romania and abroad.
The Ownership Transfer
In 2019, Mihnea Olariu, Mihnea Mihalache and Andrei Pănoiu began acquiring the vineyard and winery from Denis Thomas. The process was completed in 2020. Olariu then led the estate through modernization and an expansion that doubled production capacity. The new investors stated that they wanted to honour Thomas's work while bringing the wines to specialist shops in Romania and abroad.
From the atlas
Domeniile Franco-Române
Domeniile Franco-Române is a Săhăteni estate in Dealu Mare, combining Romanian and international grape varieties with organic certification and Arrogance wines.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Dealu Mare, Muntenia, Romania
Village
Săhăteni
Vineyard
85 hectares on south-facing slopes
Grapes
Romanian and international varieties
Wine styles
White, rosé and red wines
Defining feature
Ecocert organic certification
The Producer
Denis Thomas, a Burgundy wine grower and producer, established Domeniile Franco-Române in 2000. He introduced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to Dealu Mare after seeing similarities between its climate and Bourgogne's. The estate obtained Ecocert certification in 2006, and Mihnea Olariu now leads the property after an ownership transition completed in 2020. Under his leadership, the winery modernized and doubled its production capacity.
Place
The winery is in Săhăteni, between Gura Vadului and Săhăteni in the Dealu Mare region. Its vines sit on south-facing slopes in the centre of the area. Southern exposure brings longer daily sunlight to the vines, while Dealu Mare's climate gave Thomas a Romanian setting he considered comparable to Bourgogne for French grape varieties.
Wines
The named Arrogance wines cover two styles. Arrogance Rosé is a dry organic rosé made from 100% Merlot, with salmon-pink colour, fine astringency and lively acidity. Its red fruit profile includes early cherries, wild strawberries, strawberries and redcurrants, with lime and pomegranate on the finish.
Arrogance Alb Demisec is the white counterpart, a semi-dry wine from Romanian grape varieties. The range therefore moves between a dry rosé with light tannic grip and a white shaped by residual sugar and freshness.
A Bottle To Understand It
Open with Arrogance Alb Demisec. It is made from 90% Fetească Albă and 10% Tămâioasă Românească. Jasmine, rose preserve and basil lead the nose, followed by bergamot pear, white grapefruit and elderflower. Lively acidity offsets the residual sugar, while bittersweet citrus and mineral notes remain on the long finish. The 13.5% alcohol is well integrated.
Final Word
Domeniile Franco-Române brings Dealu Mare vineyards, Romanian and international grape varieties, and white, rosé and red wines together at Săhăteni.