Don't miss the opportunity to meet Baron Jakob Kripp and taste lovely wines from his Prince Stirbey estate in Romania.
This is a story of persecution, love and beautiful wine.
The Prince Stirbey vineyards were confiscated from Princess Maria Stirbey by the communist government after World War 2. They were only restored to her granddaughter, Princess Ileana Stirbey, in 2001.
For 300 years wine had been made on the Prince Stirbey estate and was even served on the Orient Express under the direction of Prince Babu Stirbey, Ileana's great-grandfather.
At the end of World War 2 after losing their land, Princess Ileana's family escaped to Austria to start a new life there.
When decades later Ileana met her husband Baron Jakob Kripp, an Austrian nobleman and lawyer, he suggested applying to have her family's lands restored. The couple took a trip to Dragasani in 1999 and Ileana met friends there she hadn't seen since she was a little girl.
Ileana's vision to restore her family heritage was renewed and the couple started the legal application process. In 2001 they were able to reclaim 20 hectares of the family land and began renovating the vineyards and winery.
Jakob and Ileana have since gone from strength to strength making Prince Stirbey wines, particularly showcasing indigenous Romanian grapes.
Come and hear the story firsthand while sampling:
7 wines, full tasting notes, use of professional tasting glasses and nibbles.