THE SUNNY VALLEY WINERY
Location: Sudak district
An interesting fact: the ancient Greeks and Genoese, who lived in the Sunny valley, left there rare, native grape varieties, many of which to this day grow only in this region. For example: Ekim Kara, Jevat Kara and Kefesia varieties. The legendary Black Doctor and Black Colonel liqueur wines, which have long become the ID card of the winery, are produced of them.
The history of the winery began in 1888, when Prince Lev Golitsyn planted about 100 hectares of vineyards in the estate of Archaderesseh, belonging to Prince Konstantin Gorchakov. Then, the first in the Russian Empire winery, also called Archaderesseh, was built there to mature dessert and strong wines. Translated from Turkic it means “flat mountains” or “ancient cellars in ravines”.
It offers Standard, Individual and VIP tourists programs. Guests can go down to the ancient cellars of Archaderesseh and see with their own eyes long galleries of oak casks and barrels, and also visit the vineyards and modern workshops of the primary winemaking factory with the subsequent tasting of 10 wine brands.
The Archaderesseh maturing, bottling and tasting complex is at the address: Sudak, Mindalnoyeh village, 8a Mindalnaya St. The company wine store is also at this address.
Website: https://sunvalley1888.ru/
ALMA VALLEY WINERY
Location: Bakhchisaray district, Vilino village
An interesting fact: the winery was built on the site of the ancient Scythian settlement: in different years, archaeologists found amphorae, fragments of ancient ceramics, the remains of the tower and the defensive rampart and other artifacts. According to experts, the city existed on this land from 3rd century B.C. to 3rd century A.D.
Apart from dry red and white wines, the company produces pink, orange and sparkling wines. And recently it expanded the line of varietal wines, releasing unusual drinks from the Colombar, Rislainer and the Kokur autochton grape varieties. During a visit to the winery, you will see their own vineyards in the Vilino village and the unusual vine formation called Lira, as well as modern equipment, a wine cellar, in which classical music plays around the clock, a park of casks from world leading manufacturers.
Both group and individual excursions in the Standard or VIP format are offered. Depending on the chosen tasting set, guests are offered certain sorts of wines, and light snacks. There are seasonal special offers. So, now the Velvet Season special proposal is available.
Address: Bakhchisaray district, Vilino village, 13 Vygonniy Lane
Website: https://alma-valley.ru/
WINEPARK WINE TOURISM CENTER
Location: Greater Yalta, Ponizovka village
An interesting fact: WINEPARK has released a limited edition of wine created with the help of artificial intelligence: it independently offered a blend of two drinks − Jevat Kara and Cabernet Sauvignon. Experts rated this wine at 87.8 points.
The wine tourism center, which opened in 2021, is a multifunctional space with a total area of 30 hectares with its own 7.75 hectares vineyard. Terroir wines are created on the gravitational winery. The first release was in 2022: two white “vin de négoce” − Kokur and Chardona and one rosé wine from the Mourvèdre variety grown there.
The winery is a tower of 54.5 m high, which has four levels. Three of them are underground and reach a depth of 26 m. The tastings take place in a panoramic room with a 330 degrees view at an altitude of 45 m. In the wines collection room the robot-sommelier serves the guests.
There you can enjoy not only the unique architecture of the park, but also amazing views of the fruit garden, a vineyard and sea, evaluate a promenade zone with waterfalls, sculptures and art objects, walk along a “hovering” bridge. To get into the territory, you need to buy a ticket. A variety of excursions and tastings are offered at an extra fee. And also festivals, master classes, gastronomic dinners, etc. are offered.
Address: Yalta, Ponizovka village, 22 Primorskaya St.
Website: https://winepark.ru/
ESSE WINERY
Location: Bakhchisaray district, Dolinnoyeh village
An interesting fact: the main feature of the enterprise is a restaurant on the vineyards of Esse Sunset, which was created in 2022 by the Finnish Lumi Polar team of architects. It is distinguished by the landscape-friendly architecture, air of solitude and coziness, panoramic windows and terraces with a view of the Kacha River valley and the mountains. There are tastings and beautiful dinners at sunset. Guests are offered a set-menu with wines.
The ESSE brand was created in the Kachinsky valley by the Satera wine company in 2005. The old winery was then reconstructed. After 10 years, the workshop of sparkling wines opened. The enterprise has 100 hectares of vineyards in the valley of the Kacha River and 70 hectares in the Chornaya River valley, located at an altitude of about 300 m above sea level. Seedlings were purchased from Italian and French nurseries. The winery specializes in still and sparkling wines.
For 7 years now, the winery has been welcoming guests as part of the Esse Wine Tour project. With the opening of a panoramic vineyard restaurant, the tastings began to play with new emotions. Tourists are treated to the best samples of the Esse and Kacha Valley wines, to which they serve a set menu − several dishes at a fixed price. Dasha Classova − the daughter of the owners − is responsible for the kitchen. She graduated from the most prestigious culinary school Le Cordon Bleu in London. The restaurant sitting capacity is 50 guests, but taking into account expandable terraces, it can accommodate up to 150 visitors.
Address: Bakhchisaray district, Dolinnoyeh village, 25b Lenin St.
Website: https://essewine.com/
BOUTIQUE LUCKY WINERY
Location: Bakhchisaray
An interesting fact: Lucky Winery produces small quantities of wine and everything according to Kakhetian technology, exclusively from Crimean grapes grown in an organic way, that is, without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and sulfur dioxide. As the managers say themselves: “Our wines are born with minimal intervention, but on modern equipment and under close control.”
The winery, founded in 2019, is located in the old building of the boating station on the shore of the Egiz-Oba water reservoir near Bakhchisaray. It produces organic wines, and specializes in orange wines. It also produces petnats − natural sparkling wines and wines with carbonic maceration: this is a method of production in a carbon dioxide environment to enhance fruit shades and mitigate tannins.
The design of labels features paintings by the famous traveler and artist, as well as a close friend of the winery Fedor Konyukhov.
Lucky Winery is not just a winery, but a whole tourist complex that also includes a restaurant of local cuisine, a pool, a playground and a water sports station. At tastings the guests are offered to try 10 unique samples from new and old harvests.
Address: Bakhchisaray, 6 Vodokhranilishchnaya St.
Website: https://luckywinery.ru/
