Velo Winery (Crama Velo)

Company Name: Winebiofire SRL
Founded: 2017
Owner / Winemaker: Bogdan Mitu
Location: Vârteșcoiu Village, Vrancea County, Romania
Wine Region: Cotești / Vrancea Hills, Moldova
Vineyard Area: Approximately 35 hectares
Production Volume: Around 20,000 liters annually
Philosophy: Organic and natural winemaking
Primary Varieties: Plăvaie, Aligoté, Fetească Regală, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Ottonel, Fetească Neagră, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Busuioacă de Bohotin

Overview

Velo Winery, also known as Crama Velo, is a boutique natural winery located in the Cotești wine region of Vrancea, Romania. Established in 2017, the estate was founded with the mission to merge traditional Romanian viticulture with modern organic and sustainable practices.

The winery’s name reflects its philosophy of movement and natural energy — an alignment between vineyard vitality, ecological awareness, and artisanal craftsmanship. Velo Winery focuses on creating authentic wines that respect both the land and the environment, produced with minimal intervention and a clear sense of origin.

Viticulture

• Farming: Certified organic practices; no synthetic pesticides or herbicides are used.

• Soil Composition: Brown forest soils mixed with clay and sand, offering good drainage and mineral structure.

• Climate: Continental with warm summers and moderate rainfall, influenced by the Carpathian foothills.

• Vineyard Management: Manual pruning and harvesting; inter-row grassing to support soil biodiversity.

• Irrigation: Minimal or none, depending on vintage conditions.

• Yield: Controlled yields for balance and concentration.

Winemaking

• Fermentation: Predominantly spontaneous using native yeasts; temperature-controlled fermentations where needed.

• Vinification Style: Low-intervention, emphasizing freshness, purity, and varietal character.

• Aging: Conducted in stainless steel and neutral oak barrels; selected cuvées aged on fine lees for texture and depth.

• Sulfur Use: Minimal additions, primarily at bottling.

• Fining / Filtration: Limited or none, depending on the wine.

• Wine Types: Still white, rosé, and red wines, as well as a small selection of semi-sweet (demi-dulce) and experimental natural cuvées.

Portfolio

• White Varietals:

  • Fetească Regală – crisp, floral, and mineral.

  • Plăvaie – an ancient local variety revived for its delicate citrus and herbal character.

  • Sauvignon Blanc and Aligoté – elegant, dry styles with fresh acidity.

• Red Varietals:

  • Fetească Neagră – structured and spicy with dark fruit depth.

  • Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot – classic blends showcasing the Vrancea terroir.

• Aromatic / Rosé Wines:

  • Muscat Ottonel and Busuioacă de Bohotin – semi-dry, aromatic, and perfumed wines with balanced sweetness.

Philosophy

Velo Winery’s philosophy centers on respect for the land and minimal human interference. The wines are made with a focus on authenticity, clean fermentation, and honest flavor profiles.

The team’s guiding principle is that “nature sets the pace” — decisions in the vineyard and cellar follow seasonal rhythms and natural fermentations rather than industrial schedules. Each wine is crafted to reflect the personality of the Vrancea hills, highlighting the purity and potential of Romanian varieties.