Richiș

At only 5 km from Biertan lies the village of Richiş, surrounded by terraced hills where in the old days people used to grow vines. The fertile land, perfect for agriculture and winegrowing, has brought welfare to this settlement and has also given it its name - „Reichesdorf–Richvini–Richiş” (“the village of the rich”).

After the great emigration of the Saxons from Richiş in the 1990s, Mr. Schass was among the few Saxons who remained in the region. He did not want to leave. He stayed and kept with him many old stories, as well. Mister Schass will tell you how back in the days the village of Richiş used to live from wine growing and nothing else. He says that the annual wine production amounted to 100 wagons.

Thus, the noble wine brought affluence to the inhabitants of Richiş. There were three conditions that this wine had to fulfil: it had to be noble (only noble varieties, no hybrids), to have a rough, strong taste and to be white. At Richiş they cultivated Feteasca Regală, Pinot Gris, Riesling or Neuberger. When the Saxons left and the village got depopulated, the vineyards were abandoned. Today, Mr. Schass is one of the few locals who can still take pride in his numerous varieties of vine and his sweet, flavoured wine.

If you wish to taste the delicious Richiş grapes, do come in October. And if you missed the grapes, it’s all right. The surrounding terraced heights create a stunning landscape regardless of the season.