“Authenticity and quality are the most powerful values”
For Crina Dulute, co-owner and marketing manager of Domeniile Averești, wine is more than a product – it’s a vessel of culture. Nestled in the historic Huși region of Romania, her family’s estate carries a 150-year-old legacy. Today, she’s on a mission to revive and elevate Romania’s noble grape varieties and establish them on the world stage, bottle by bottle.
“We are telling the story of Romania through our wines”
At the heart of Domeniile Averești’s portfolio are three signature native grapes – Fetească Neagră, Busuioacă de Bohotin, and Zghihară de Huși. These grapes have grown in the region for generations, yet until recently, few wine enthusiasts outside Romania had ever heard of them. Crina’s vision is to change that narrative, introducing the world to Romania’s vinicultural treasures with storytelling, precision, and elegance.
Her dedication to preserving local heritage is balanced with global ambition. The winery also cultivates international classics like Cabernet Sauvignon, forging a natural bridge between Romanian terroir and global wine language.
“We’ve had to earn international trust – bottle by bottle”
Crina’s journey hasn’t been easy. While domestic success was steady, building credibility in foreign markets required relentless effort. “Convincing international markets to give a chance to our native grapes was one of the hardest challenges,” she says.
Persistence paid off. Domeniile Averești began entering international competitions, and winning. Fetească Neagră, Busuioacă, and Cabernet Sauvignon each received gold and silver medals at global wine competitions like Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, Mundus Vini, and International Wine Challenge. But perhaps the most meaningful milestone came when Zghihară de Huși, once unknown outside of Romania, was honored with an award – validation that this underdog grape belonged on the global stage.
“This is more than business – it’s deeply personal”
For Crina, the mission isn’t just commercial; it’s a calling. The Huși region, long overlooked in the global wine conversation, holds centuries of winemaking history. “Carrying forward this legacy is a privilege and a responsibility,” she shares. Every recognition, every international medal is not just a win for the brand, but a nod to generations before her.
Under Crina’s stewardship, the winery’s reputation has grown far beyond Romanian borders. Today, Domeniile Averești exports to Europe, Asia, and the United States, serving a loyal base of wine lovers and sommeliers seeking something distinctive and steeped in tradition.
“We want Romanian wine to become a global signature”
Looking ahead, Crina has her sights set on global expansion. Her 3-year vision includes establishing Fetească Neagră and Busuioacă as flagship Romanian wines in premium restaurants worldwide. She also aims to position Zghihară de Huși as a symbolic ambassador of Romania, an indigenous wine with a flavor as unique as its origin.
In tandem with international growth, the winery is investing in its domestic experience. A new tasting room and wine shop at the estate are in development, offering Romanian and international visitors a place to explore the full spectrum of their award-winning wines.
“Tradition and innovation must go hand in hand”
Crina’s approach blends deep respect for history with a progressive mindset. As a marketer, she emphasizes storytelling, terroir, and transparency. As a co-owner, she pushes for sustainability and excellence at scale. From vineyard to bottle, every step is intentional. And as a proud Romanian, she’s rewriting global perceptions of Eastern European wine.
Her belief is simple: local doesn’t mean limited. And with each medal, each new market, and each pour, Crina Dulute is proving that Romanian wine can compete, and shine, on the world stage.
