New wave of wine industry entrepreneurs

In 2008, businessmen like Daniel Guzu, the founder of the Fabryo paint and enamel producer, Jean Valvis, who developed the Dorna mineral water and dairy business and Sebastian Ghita, who owns the Asesoft group operating in the IT industry, announced millions of euros in investments in wine production. This year it is the turn of another wave of entrepreneurs to invest hundreds of thousands to millions of euros in new wine brands.

“We will probably have our first wine launch this year,” says Daniel Guzu, who invested several million euros in Vrancea county. Fabryo’s founder will position his brands on the medium to high price segment, that is an approximately 15 RON shelf price, and expects sales of one million of bottles in the third year of the business. Started with SAPARD funds a few years ago, the projects have now reached maturity and those that launched them are currently working out the final details about the launch campaigns to be conducted over the next few months. “This is quite a disheartening moment because everybody is talking about the crisis, about how difficult it is to collect their money from the market. I think, however, that this is a niche that will develop,” says Cristina Staicu, general manager of Domeniile Viticole Franco-Romane. The company will launch the Crai Nou brand made from organic grapes soon. The company, whose majority shareholders are French, started investing in organic grapes in 2003 and is how operating 30 hectares in the Dealu Mare area. Staicu says that, in the case of organic grape production, costs are 30% higher than a regular crop, without providing any more details about investment or sales level. “I am a beginner when it comes to wine production. I have been in this business for about a year. I own 100 hectares and have rented another 100. I started investments five years ago,” says Constantin Garboiu, manager of Crama Garboiu. Early this year, company launched the Varoncea brand on the market, and is to introduce the Livia brand this summer. The owner is also considering a name change for the company from Mera Com International to Cramale Garboiu.