The links with France were strong not only during the 19th century, but right up to the outbreak of the First World War. French culture, education, and engineering were much appreciated, and French was the formal language of the educated classes. Thus, these varieties have been in Romania for almost twice as long as in most other East-European countries. The research establishments are fully owned and controlled by the government. In the early days, each research establishment operated independently, but in 1967 they became part of the National Institute for Vine and Wine Research, with its headquarters at Valea Calugareasca in the Dealu Mare region, and ten branches, one in each of Romania's main grape-growing regions.
Wine estates are large enterprises comprising both vineyards and wineries.
Before 1948, these estates would have been owned by wealthy individuals or families. With the coming of communist rule, the estates were nationalized and kept as single units. The liberalization of the Romanian economy after 1989 has left the research establishment largely unaffected. The state wineries and the wine estates are in the process of being privatized as well.