“It’s a good year for wine production, though not as good as 2013 (a reference year for the wine industry i.e.). If it did not rain over the next two weeks, this would be an outstanding year for wine production, but weather reports forecast rain,” says the entrepreneur, who owns Natural SRL, which has wine and ‘Ana are’ natural juice production operations.
Romania is one of the largest wine producers in Europe, with an annual volume of 4 to 5 million hectoliters, but is far from matching countries like France, whose production is ten times higher.
Guzu explains that despite the good year for wine production, the quality of the grapes is very much up to their variety. “Quality of white grapes is OK-ish, because it rained a bit too much. Quality of red grapes, however, is very good.”
The entrepreneur owns 120 hectares of vineyard in Tifesti (Panciu, Vrancea County, a traditional winemaking area of Romania) where he grows several varieties such as Feteasca Neagra, Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Feteasca Regala and Babeasca Neagra.
The company’s wine brand portfolio includes Casa Panciu and Sagio, sold in restaurants and retail chains.
“We are available in Auchan, Carrefour and Cora (…) We want to increase the number of restaurants we are available in.”
Casa Panciu competes with producers like Vincon Vrancea, Murfatlar, Tohani and Halewood on the wine market.
Daniel Guzu is best known for his construction sector businesses. He is the founder of the Fabryo paint and coatings manufacturer, which he sold to Sweden’s private equity fund Oresa Ventures. He invested the EUR20 million he got from the deal in construction materials manufacturer Duraziv and in wine and fruit production.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)