Krasnodar Wine Region

Russia is a rather diverse country therefore it is not surprising that there are winemaking regions found within its territory. Krasnodar wine region lies on the coasts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov in South-West Russia. Nowadays, there are around 30.000 hectares of vineyards - the highest quantity among all Russian wine regions. Krasnodar wines make up nearly 40% of the total volume of quality wines produced in Russia.

Find out about Wine Tasting & Tours in Krasnodar Wine Region to enjoy if you visit the region.

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Origins of Kuban' Wines

Krasnodar Wine Region in Soviet Era and Nowadays

Wines of Krasnodar Wine Region

Origins of Kuban' Wines

The first vines were cultivated in the Krasnodar wine region by ancient Greeks in the VI century BC. However, the modern history of winemaking in the region began in 1846 when duke Vorontsov brought the first vines (Riesling, Muscat, and Cabernet) from Crimea. As Krasnodar natives were not familiar with viticulture, these were the specialists from Armenia, Georgia, Czechia, and France that were invited to cultivate the first vineyards and teach local enthusiasts that delicate craft. Each of them left their mark in what is now associated with the wine traditions of the "Gift of the Reds" (direct meaning of the word Krasnodar) region. Apparently, the culture of Krasnodar winemaking is a mix of traditions of different countries. At the end of the XIX century, the winery Abrau-Durso produced the first batch of sparkling wine made with a traditional method and inspired by Champagne wine that was popular in Russian aristocratic communities.

Krasnodar Wine Region in Soviet Era and Nowadays

The Soviet Union played a contradictory role in the Krasnodar winemaking. From one side, there were 2 main periods that had a harmful impact on winemaking: the "democratisation" of the production (substitution of the traditional method of sparkling wine production with a newly invented continuous method that is much cheaper), and the implementation of the alcohol prohibition law later. These actions caused the loss of knowledge and achievements in the field of wine production and vine-growing that were inherited from the empire epoch.

On the other side, in between these 2 periods (in the 1950-the 60s), there was a campaign "Let's make Taman' - a second Champagne" (Taman' is a wine subregion of Krasnodar Russia) that resulted in the increase of the vineyard area by almost 10 times. After the collapse of the USSR, Krasnodar winemaking found its second wind. National enologists are now working on the recreation of the terroir and on the proper communication of the riches of Krasnodar wineries to ecotourists all over the world to invite them to the world of quality Russian wines.

One important note: today the region is known to the world as the Krasnodar wine region. However, it is the unofficial name of the group of such protected geographical indications as "Kuban`", "Kuban` Krimsk", "Kuban` Anapa", "Kuban` Novorosiisk", "Kuban` Gelendzhik", "Kuban` Taman` peninsula", and "Kuban` East Azov". In fact, the common denominator is Kuban' - a historic name of the region from the times of the Russian Empire. However, nowadays the demarcation of Russian wine regions is based not on the historic borders but rather on the administrative ones. Thus calling it the Krasnodar wine region makes it easier to find it on the map as the wine region completely lies within Krasnodar administrative region.

Read more about Wineries in Krasnodar Wine Region to visit.

Krasnodar Wine Region Map

You can also check out our interactive map of the Krasnodar Wine Region to discover wineries with open cellar doors.

Wines of Krasnodar Wine Region

Considering the proximity to Caucasian wine regions and the contribution of the European school enologists, nowadays Krasnodar wines can satisfy the demands and expectations of merely any wine lover. Light and fresh Pinot Gris with distinctive lime notes, rich red wines from local grape Krasnostop fermented in traditional Georgian Qvevri (large earthenware vessels), champagne-quality sparkling from Abrau-Durso winery, barrel-aged sweet Muscat wine and even blush rose Pet-nat sparkling from Pinot Noir.

Naturally, the wineries in Krasnodar are authorised to use certain grape varietals: both international and autochthonous (i.e. local), such as white Sibirkovy Sauvignon (perfect match for green spring salads and river fish) and red Dostoynii (characterized by round tannins with rich blackberries aromas). Interestingly, the majority of wineries are welcoming visitors. The Krasnodar Russia region provides its guests with the opportunity to choose either the wineries with marina influence near the coast or the estates located on the mountain hills.

Climate of Krasnodar Wine Region

The climate of the Krasnodar wine region has little in common with the stereotypical image of the draconian Russian climate. The Krasnodar wine region lies on the 45th north parallel - the same latitude as such well-known wine regions as Bordeaux in France and Piedmont in Italy.

The total area of the Krasnodar wine region is merely equal to the area of the average central European country, for example, Czechia. No wonder the climate here varies gradually from temperate continental to Mediterranean and subtropical climates near the seashore. Hot, long (5.5 months) & sunny summer and mild European winter attract tourists the whole year long: either to the beach resorts such as Sochi, Anapa, Gelendzhik, and many more, or, alternatively, to the ski resorts of the Western Caucasus mountains - in 2014, the Krasnodar wine region hosted the Winter Olympic Games. Proximity to the sea and the mountains amplified by the accumulated knowledge and experience - all these factors allow Krasnodar wineries to produce excellent wines and host memorable wine-tasting sessions and cellar tours that you can book at WineTourism.com.

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