From Bucharest: Romanian Wine Tasting Tour

Two wineries, one full day, no guesswork. This Bucharest wine tour sends you into the Buzau and Prahova wine regions with a structured tasting led by an English-speaking sommelier and time to sample 10+ wines. I like the pace because it mixes learning with actual sips, not just standing around the cellar.

Second stop energy matters, and that’s why I’m fond of this combo of LacertA Winery and Budureasca Winery. One possible drawback: the schedule can run tight, and no lunch is included—so if the day slips, you may feel it.

Key points before you go

• 10+ wines across two tastings means you’ll actually compare styles, not just try a couple pours
• English-speaking sommelier keeps the tasting practical and easier to follow
• LacertA’s 82-hectare vineyard and vintage-style collections add a “how this is made” angle
• Budureasca’s 300-hectare setup gives you a second, modern perspective on evaluating wine
• Central pickup by Gray Line Romania makes the departure painless
• Bring snacks mindset because lunch isn’t part of the deal

Price and value: is $99 really a good deal?

For $99, you’re paying for a full day that bundles together: round-trip transport from central Bucharest meeting points, a modern air-conditioned van, Wi‑Fi onboard, and two guided tasting experiences with an English sommelier. On top of that, you’re getting local snacks at the winery stops and welcome refreshments at the second vineyard.

What makes this feel like value is the “two-vineyard” structure. One tasting is a nice souvenir moment. Two tastings is where you start understanding what you actually like—whether you lean white, red, rosé, or table wines—because you can compare them under guidance.

The one caution on value: since lunch isn’t included, your day could feel like a snack-and-wine marathon instead of a relaxed food-and-wine lunch. If you handle hunger before you go, the price feels fair for what’s included.

Pickup, drive time, and how the 8-hour clock affects your day

This tour runs about 8 hours, with a van ride out to Buzau County and then another short hop to Prahova County. The plan is roughly:

• Morning pickup from one of three central points
• Around 1.5 hours to LacertA Winery
• 20 minutes transfer to Budureasca
• Around 1.5 hours back to Bucharest

That timing matters because wine education can stretch. On at least one past departure, the first winery’s historical talk took longer than expected, so the tasting window got shorter and lunch didn’t happen for that group. The good news is that the second vineyard’s session reportedly stayed tighter, which is exactly what you want on a day-trip: enough story to make the wine make sense, then enough time to taste.

So my advice is simple: show up fed (or at least not hungry), wear comfortable shoes, and treat the day like a tasting-focused experience with a moving schedule, not a slow countryside picnic.

LacertA Winery: 82 hectares, production sights, and tastings with options

Your first stop is LacertA Winery in Buzau County, set in an 82-hectare vineyard known for its wine-friendly soil. This part is worth it even if you’re not a hardcore wine nerd, because the tour includes an informative walkthrough of the winemaking process—seeing how production actually works tends to make later tastings click.

The tasting itself is designed to be choice-based. You’ll sample a selection that can include white, red, rosé, and table wines, and the sommelier helps you learn what to look for when you evaluate wine—think aroma, taste, and basic structure rather than complicated chemistry.

What I like here is that LacertA also offers themed collections you can explore during the experience, including references to a Vintage Collection, Grand Prix, Lacerta Dolce, and a Gift Collection. Even without memorizing every label, these categories give you a way to ask smart questions like: Is this collection focused on sweetness, awards, or a specific style?

One practical note: LacertA includes local snacks as part of the experience. That helps, but it still doesn’t replace a full meal—especially if you’re a “try everything” taster.

Budureasca Winery: 300 hectares and learning how to evaluate wine

After the short van transfer to Prahova County, you reach Budureasca Winery, a modern wine site amid a 300-hectare vineyard. The atmosphere tends to feel more contemporary here, and the structure is geared toward tasting skills.

At Budureasca, you’ll get a second guided tasting plus more instruction on wine evaluation. This is the session where you start to feel the difference between simply drinking wine and tasting it with intention. If you’re new to wine, this can be a confidence boost. If you already enjoy wine, it’s a chance to tighten your own “how to taste” habits with a guided framework.

There’s also local snacks and welcome refreshments at this stop. And if time feels short earlier in the day, Budureasca seems better positioned to keep the history portion and tasting portion moving at a usable pace—at least based on what I’ve seen described by someone who had timing issues earlier.

The sub-Carpathian countryside mood: why the scenery isn’t just decoration

Even if wine is the headline, the setting plays a role. This day trip runs through sub-Carpathian hills, where the countryside vibe is quieter and more relaxing than the city. You’re not sitting in traffic all day long; you’re on a scheduled loop designed around two production centers.

That matters because a lot of wine tours turn into a checklist. Here, the rural calm gives you a chance to slow your brain down between tastings, which makes it easier to remember what you liked and why.

Also, having time between stops in a van (instead of constant walking) helps if you want a “learn and sip” day without turning it into an all-day hike.

What you taste: planning for multiple styles (and multiple sips)

This is not a single-glass tour. You’re tasting over ten different wines across two vineyards, with the selection tailored to whether you’re into white, red, rosé, or table wines.

That’s fun, but it also affects how you should prepare:

• Don’t plan to drive afterward
• Start with a solid breakfast
• Bring a water habit (even if refreshments are served)
• Be ready for flavor comparisons, not just single impressions

If you go in expecting to “pick one wine you’ll buy,” you might miss the point. The real value is learning your preferences by tasting across styles in two different environments.

Food reality check: snacks and welcome drinks, but no lunch

Let’s be blunt: this experience does not include lunch. You will get local snacks at the wineries and welcome refreshments at Budureasca, which helps prevent complete starvation, but it’s still not the same as having a full meal.

Here’s the practical fix I recommend: eat a robust breakfast before pickup, and consider packing simple extra snacks and water for peace of mind. The trip runs with van time both ways, and the tasting schedule can stretch or compress depending on how the day moves.

If you’re the type who gets grumpy when hungry, treat food prep as part of the tour, not an afterthought.

Small-group feel with Gray Line Romania and English hosts

This tour is built around a small-group van setup with pickup from central meeting points and an English-speaking driver plus an English-speaking host/sommelier. Gray Line Romania is operating the logistics, and the modern air-conditioned vehicle plus onboard Wi‑Fi makes the transfer portion less annoying.

The small-group format is one of the reasons the tasting instruction likely feels more personal than a big bus tour. You can ask basic questions, react to what you’re tasting, and get guidance without feeling like you’re waiting in line for a sip.

If you want a marker for service quality, one detail stands out from a positive experience: the driver named Lucien was described as fantastic. A good driver helps a day like this feel smooth, especially when you’re bouncing between two wineries.

Best fit: who should book this day trip

I’d put this tour high on the list if you:

• Want an easy Bucharest day trip that’s structured and guided
• Like wine but don’t want to figure out transportation between wineries on your own
• Enjoy tastings where you learn what to look for, not only what to drink
• Prefer a smaller group experience with central pickup

It’s also a good choice if you’re traveling with someone who isn’t a wine expert. The instruction is geared to help both newcomers and people with some knowledge, and the comparison between two very different wineries helps everyone follow along.

If you’re the kind of person who needs long sit-down meals and slow pacing, you’ll likely find the day slightly rushed. The tradeoff is that you’ll taste more, see more, and spend less time on logistics.

Practical tips before you go

A few things that will make the day easier:

• Wear comfortable shoes; winery time usually means some walking in and around tasting areas
• Plan for alcohol: hydrate, pace yourself, and don’t treat it like a sprint
• Eat before pickup since lunch isn’t included
• Bring a light layer; vans and wine rooms can vary in temperature
• Keep expectations flexible about timing; the day’s structure depends on how sessions run

Should you book this Romanian Wine Tasting Tour from Bucharest?

If you want a well-organized day with two guided tastings, over ten wines, and English-language guidance, this is a strong pick. The price feels reasonable because you’re getting transport plus two wine-focused learning moments, and the second vineyard helps reinforce tasting skills so you leave with clearer preferences.

I’d only hesitate if you absolutely need lunch included or if you’re picky about schedules staying perfectly on time. In that case, prepare your stomach and go in expecting a tasting-heavy day.

Overall: this is the kind of tour that works best when you treat it like a guided tasting experience from start to finish—and let the wine do the talking.

FAQ

How long is the Romanian Wine Tasting Tour from Bucharest?

The tour duration is 8 hours.

What does the tour cost?

The price is $99 per person.

Where does the tour take place?

The wine stops are in Buzau County (LacertA Winery) and Prahova County (Budureasca Winery).

Are there multiple wine tastings during the day?

Yes. You’ll have two wine tastings featuring over ten different wines.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes. The sommelier and host/greeter provide English-language guidance, and there’s also an English-speaking driver.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Do I get snacks or refreshments?

You’ll have local snacks at the winery stops, and you’ll also have welcome refreshments at Budureasca.

How do pickup and drop-off work?

Pickup and drop-off are included from central meeting points, with options such as Romana Square, University Square, and InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest.

Is transportation provided?

Yes. You’ll travel by a modern air-conditioned vehicle, with Wi‑Fi available onboard.

Is there a minimum number of participants?

Yes. A minimum of 4 participants is required to organize the tour.

Is free cancellation available?

Free cancellation is available up to 12 hours in advance for a full refund.