1Blaj
Klassifiziert📍 Blaj
Soil:Clay and loam over marl
Varieties:Fetească Regală, Sauvignon Blanc, Fetească Albă, Muscat Ottonel
Wine centre (centru viticol) of the Târnave podgorie, DOC origin.
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Photo: Țetcu Mircea Rareș, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Transylvania · Sub-regions
Târnave
The Târnava valley between Blaj, Jidvei and Mediaș is Transylvania's largest white-wine district. Jidvei farms around 2,500 contiguous hectares here; Fetească Regală was discovered in nearby Daneș in 1930. Fresh aromatic whites and traditional-method sparkling wine.
3Wineries
Grape Varieties
Fetească Regală, Sauvignon Blanc
Fetească Albă, Muscat Ottonel, Riesling Italico, Traminer, Pinot Noir
Most Famous Site
Jidvei
Vineyard Area
7.000 ha
Harvest
September – October
TERROIR PROFILE · Transylvania
Târnave Târnave – Cool
The Târnava valley between Blaj, Jidvei and Mediaș is Transylvania's largest white-wine district.
☀ Cool continental⛰ Slope: moderateFetească RegalăSauvignon BlancFetească AlbăMuscat Ottonel
What is terroir? →SOILS
Loambody-rich, velvety
Loamy soils give wines volume and a soft, velvety mouthfeel.
Marlbalanced, structured
Marl is a mix of limestone and clay — yields structured, balanced wines with acidity backbone.
Gravel / Sandlight, approachable
Gravel and sand drain heavily — vines struggle for water, wines turn fine, light and elegant.
CLIMATE · Cool continental
The climate is cool continental at about 300 metres; the Târnava Mică and Târnava Mare provide humidity, and late autumn mists slow ripening.
TOPOGRAPHY · moderate
The Kokel valley between Blaj, Jidvei and Mediaș lies in the basin between the Târnava Mică and Târnava Mare in Alba, Sibiu and Mureș counties.
WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS
fresharomaticindigenousregional character
Typical Flavours of the Region
Fetească Regală
WhiteGreen appleCitrusWhite blossomPear
Sauvignon Blanc
WhiteGooseberryNettleBoxwoodGreen pepper
Fetească Albă
WhiteWhite blossomPeachApricotHoney
Muscat Ottonel
WhiteRoseElderflowerGrapeOrange blossom
Riesling Italico
WhiteGreen appleCitrusHayAlmond
Gewürztraminer
WhiteRose petalLycheeMangoGinger
Region aroma cloud
Green appleCitrusWhite blossomPearHerbsGooseberryNettleBoxwoodGreen pepperLimeElderflowerPeachApricotHoneyAlmondRoseGrapeOrange blossom
→ Aroma wheel and variety profilesTransylvania overview
This sub-region is part of Transylvania. The map shows all 5 sub-regions — Târnave is highlighted.
Overview
Wineries3
Detailed profiles3
Typical Varieties
Fetească Regală
Sauvignon Blanc
Fetească Albă
Muscat Ottonel
Riesling Italico
Traminer
Pinot Noir
Terroir & Climate
Wine Character
The Târnave wine region lies in the heart of Transylvania, in the valley of the Târnava Mică and Târnava Mare (Küküllő rivers), which join at Blaj. It extends between Blaj, Jidvei and Mediaș and is Transylvania's largest white-wine district. The slopes of the valley and hill landscape have been cultivated for centuries, also by the Transylvanian Saxons.
The climate is cool by Romanian standards, with vineyards between roughly 300 and 500 metres. The grapes ripen slowly and keep acidity and aromas. The soils are clay and loam over marl. Jidvei farms around 2,500 contiguous hectares here; the Fetească Regală variety was discovered in nearby Daneș in 1930.
Besides Fetească Regală, Sauvignon Blanc, Fetească Albă, Muscat Ottonel, Riesling Italico, Traminer and Pinot Noir are grown. The result is fresh, aromatic white wine, and sparkling wine made by the traditional method has an established place here.
Soil Type
Clay and loam over marl
Climate
Cool, 300–500 m, long ripening
Classified Single Vineyards
5 sitesThe most important classified single vineyards in the region. Classification per VDP (German Prädikat Wine Estates Association) and traditional vineyard registers.
2Jidvei
Klassifiziert📍 Jidvei
Soil:Clay and loam over marl
Varieties:Fetească Regală, Sauvignon Blanc, Fetească Albă, Muscat Ottonel
Wine centre (centru viticol) of the Târnave podgorie, DOC origin.
3Zagăr
Klassifiziert📍 Zagăr
Soil:Clay and loam over marl
Varieties:Fetească Regală, Sauvignon Blanc, Fetească Albă, Muscat Ottonel
Wine centre (centru viticol) of the Târnave podgorie, DOC origin.
4Mediaș
Klassifiziert📍 Mediaș
Soil:Clay and loam over marl
Varieties:Fetească Regală, Sauvignon Blanc, Fetească Albă, Muscat Ottonel
Wine centre (centru viticol) of the Târnave podgorie, DOC origin.
5Valea Nirajului
Klassifiziert📍 Miercurea Nirajului
Soil:Clay and loam over marl
Varieties:Fetească Regală, Sauvignon Blanc, Fetească Albă, Muscat Ottonel
Wine centre (centru viticol) of the Târnave podgorie, DOC origin.
Sources: VDP, state vineyard registers, Wikipedia vineyard articles, traditional vineyard literature.
Top profiles
3 detailed profiles — all filterable in the list below
All Wineries
3 resultsEvents in Transylvania
All events in Transylvania →No upcoming events listed for this region yet. Submit an event
Frequently Asked Questions
Which towns and producers are there in the Târnave wine region?
The region extends between Blaj, Jidvei and Mediaș in the valley of the Târnava Mică and Târnava Mare. Jidvei farms around 2,500 hectares in one block here.
What wines are made in Târnave?
The region produces fresh, aromatic white wines, and traditional-method sparkling wine has a firm place. The Fetească Regală variety was discovered in 1930 in nearby Daneș.
What is the climate like in Târnave?
The climate in Târnave is cool; the vineyards lie at 300 to 500 m and ripening takes a long time. The harvest runs from September to October.
Which grape varieties define Târnave?
The key grape varieties in Târnave are Fetească Regală, Sauvignon Blanc, Fetească Albă, Muscat Ottonel and Riesling Italico. The best-known vineyard is Jidvei.
When is the best time to visit Târnave for wine?
The harvest in Târnave takes place September – October – when vineyards and cellars are busiest. May to July suits tastings without harvest bustle; many estates open their tasting rooms off-season by appointment.
How many wineries are there in Târnave?
Cellarmap lists 3 wineries in Târnave across roughly 7,000 hectares of vines. Every profile shows location, contact, grape varieties and, where available, vineyards, classification and visitor information.
All wineries in Târnave, A to Z
- Crama Frauendorf
- Jidvei · Jidvei
- Villa Vinèa · Mica
📖 Look up in glossary
All terms →Related wine terms — clearly explained in the Cellarmap glossary.