Silvania

Silvania lies in Sălaj County in north-western Romania, on the western edge of Transylvania at the transition to Crișana. The vineyards are on the hills around Șimleu Silvaniei and Zalău and near Șamșud and Rătești; Tășnad lies somewhat further north-west in Satu Mare County. The hilly landscape forms a transition between the Transylvanian Basin and the Pannonian Plain.

The climate is cool temperate, with late spring frosts and moderate summer temperatures; grape ripening begins comparatively late. The soils consist mainly of loam and clay.

Mostly white varieties are grown: Fetească Regală, Fetească Albă, Iordană, Riesling Italico, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc. The cool position favours wines with fresh acidity and suits base wines for sparkling wine, in which the region has a tradition. After the decline during the collectivisation era, viticulture has recovered in recent decades with private estates such as Nachbil and Carastelec.