IG Dealurile Sătmarului

On North-West of Romania, formerly a part of the old land of Partium, at the crossroads of Crişana, Sătmar and Maramureş, Beltiug is a realm full of history, with a special local charm and picturesque and hardworking people.

With a unique story that will be again spoken around its wines, this place is gaining international public attention, after a long period of anonymity. The living proof is the new vines which fill Dealurile Sătmarului (in En.: Sătmarului Hills), the quality of the wines, the renovation of the wineries and cellars, and the renewal of traditions from this region.

In this area, the vineyard has a cool climate with abundant rainfall. The winters are mild and safe from the cold winds and blizzards. Also, the temperature drops by 3-4°C in September, which helps preserve the flavors and acids in the grapes.

Located at a crossroad of regions, Beltiug is an area for viticulture and winemaking designated with the G.I. (Geographical Indication) of “Dealurile Sătmarului”. Wines made here are reflecting the terroir of a smaller area. This gives to the local producers the possibility of achieving wines with protected origin, made with respect for quality and consumer and with more “freedom of expression“.

One of the most representative wineries here is Nachbil. The legend starts around 1085, in the time of King Ladislaus I of Hungary, after a fierce battle with the Pechenegs (migratory population of Turkish origin). After the battle, to the King was brought a pumpkin filled with wine, which made him ask ironically about the variety of the pumpkin, (in Hungarian, “Bél” = content and “tek” = pumpkin). Later, in the eighteenth century, during the time of Count Károly Sándor, this area was called “Bacchus’ residence”. Obviously, colonizing the area with people from Oberschwaben (Swabian or Schwaben), which with their spirit, produced a true renaissance in viticulture and winemaking.

Pursuing the story to the present, in Beltiug, Răteşti and Ardud were built hundreds of cellars on two or three levels “buried” in the hills, some of them being kept in a functional condition even today. The cellars were built by the animal merchants and were used for the production of wine in small quantities for their own consumption. Sometimes, in these buildings, customers were brought to close a transaction. What is gratifying is that this tradition began to be revived in the last 10-15 years.

The tradition of the Beltiug wines continues today, with the founding of the Nachbil Winery in 1999. This occurred after the return of the Brutler family from Germany (this time a “repatriation of the Swabian/Schwaben”) by planting red and white grape varieties. The project was thoroughly planned, on a total surface of almost 25 hectares.

The wines are created by Johann and Edgar Brutler, father-son, with respect, dedication, and love for grapevines, using the technological element to a minimum degree. The white wines are fruity, with high acidity and velvety texture, the rosé is delicious and elegant, whereas the red wines are full-bodied, flavorful, and extractive with a long and aromatic aftertaste. And so, step by step, Nachbil contributes every day, like a puzzle piece, in rewriting the story of this region.