Collaboration…innovation…inspiration… Valea Verde team not only understands but creates the needs of the Romanian customers for a great experience in wining & dining.

I wrote before about this place lost in the heart of Transylvania, a place we’ve been visiting for the past few years. We were lucky to have them cooking for our wedding at Zabala castle, so we are emotional connected. I love that every year Jonas Schäfer and his team try new things, they constantly develop and surprise their customers. They love what they do – and they do it with style, sophistication and passion, in Valea Verde resort, a cozy place in the winter and glorious in the summer when guests can dine outside the yard, next to the pond, surrounded by the hills.

I’ve recently learnt that some new events are going on this year in Valea Verde, among which, together with wine expert Marinela Ardelean they will host a special weekend introducing guests to the amazing diversity and beauty of Romanian wines. Together with his experienced team Chef Jonas Schäfer will be preparing a wide variety of different exciting and inspiring dishes during the course of two unforgettable days and nights!

Over the weekend Marinela Ardelean will introduce all guest to original Romanian grapes. The Romanian wine world will be sampled by regions, growers and producers. The art of pairing the right wine with food will be the topic of a dedicated seminar as well as a session on how to identify principal grape varieties like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Syrah.

Learning about wine is a fascinating experience, full of new flavors, new places, and new friends.

THE PROGRAM for July 22nd – 24th, 2016 and August 19th – 21st, 2016

Welcome Reception

The time when everyone meets each other in a sip of few sparkling wines, chosen by Marinela Ardelean, who was trained in Champagne and was nominated in Reims as “Dame Chevalier de L’Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne”.

Workshop “How to pair food with wine”

Apart from the perfect match for food and wine, the delight of creating a cohesive progression in wine pairing will be made with some very practical and helpful tips.

Friday Night´s Dinner

Chef Jonas Schäfer and his team will serve six delicious courses prepared using the best local products, all dishes being paired with some of the best Romanian wines available. Wine expert Marinela Ardelean, will explain the geographical and historical origins and characteristics of the wines paired with the individual courses.

Workshop “How to recognize the principal grape varieties”

A workshop on the profound basics of tasting wine. Marinela will introduce the international principal grape varieties and give some practical guidance on how to identify and distinguish the “cépage noble”- Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Syrah.

Guided Wilderness walk with Questions & Answers

Together with Emanuel Enache, a highly experienced guide, all the guests are invited to walk in the tremendously beautiful valleys and hills around Cund. Emanuel will introduce the guests to the history and unique biodiversity of this highly valuable and protected landscape. After an inspiring 45 min walk, a spectacular lunch location in the wilderness will be found…

Wilderness lunch with a tasting session of Romanian white wines

Having lunch on the ridge of a really beautiful hill in a spectacular setting, where Marinela Ardelean will host a special tasting of Romanian white wines. An award winning wine maker will also explain some details on the historic wine making region of the Tarnave Tarnaveni DOC.

Workshop “A tasting of special Feteasca Neagra´s from diverse terroirs”

The different interpretations of Feteasca Neagra will illustrate beautifully the differences in terroir and show how different the same grape variety can taste.

“Diner en Blanc”

The formal dinner on Saturday evening will be embracing the theme of the internationally acclaimed gourmet experience “Diner en Blanc”: all tables & chairs will be dressed in white and the guests will be dressed accordingly. The Valea Verde kitchen will prepare an adequately special eleven course tasting menu based on local, carefully sourced and foraged menu, paired with the best of Romanian wines, featuring even some vintages and wines from private reserves which are not available anymore.

Classical Concert

The perfect way to end an eventful day is a late evening concert of some classical music. Relax in the cozy atmosphere of the candle-lit Valea Verde lounge with your favorite wine of the weekend and enjoy the beautiful music of an ward winning Romanian Quartet…

A Sparkling Gourmet Brunch

A lavish brunch on Sunday morning, with truffled Benedict eggs, smoked trout and much more, everything paired with a special sparkling wine chosen by Marinela Ardelean.

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You only have to relax and enjoy this “epicurean getaway” set amidst the stunning panoramic views of the Cund village.