“We Can Surprise the World with Ukrainian Grape Varieties”: The Future of the Wine Industry Was Discussed in Kyiv
23 June 18:34
On Monday, June 22, a national roundtable titled “Local Grape Varieties: Heritage, Sustainability, and Rural Development” took place in Kyiv, organized by the “Ukrsadvinprom” Public Association, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
The event served as a platform for open discussion among government officials, business representatives, and industry experts on the future of Ukrainian viticulture—from supporting local grape varieties to expanding their presence in domestic and international markets.
The central topic of discussion was the importance of Ukrainian local grape varieties in shaping the country’s wine identity. Participants emphasized that the development of authentic winemaking can not only support regions and rural areas but also strengthen the position of Ukrainian wine and its global recognition.
Vladimir Pechko, Chairman of the “Ukrsadvinprom” Public Association, stressed that the future of Ukrainian winemaking must be built precisely around its own wine tradition:
“We have a strong desire to develop Ukrainian winemaking by promoting our domestic grape varieties. We must talk about Ukrainian wine, we must showcase it, and we must amaze the world with our varieties,” he emphasized.
According to Pechko, the flagship varieties of Ukrainian winemaking and true “ambassador” varieties can be, first and foremost, only “Odesa Black” and “Sukholimansky”—as varieties bred in Ukraine that reflect the authenticity, unique character, and winemaking identity of Ukraine. Special attention is currently focused on their development, and the varieties themselves have already been presented on the international stage.
In turn, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Denys Bashlyk emphasized that the development of local grape varieties is not only a matter of production but also of preserving cultural heritage and shaping Ukrainian identity.
“As is the case worldwide, local varieties are a trend linked to cultural authenticity. They are hallmarks of cultural heritage, of the people’s heritage. Our varieties are what we need to showcase to consumers together. I have always bought Ukrainian products and believe that we must work more actively to ensure this trend becomes a key driver of development,” he stressed.
Representatives from the retail sector and the expert community also joined the discussion. In particular, Olena Gordon, a representative of the Ukrainian Retail Alliance, noted that local producers can enter retail chains provided they meet standards and are ready to scale up production.
Participants paid special attention to wine tourism as a tool for promoting Ukrainian products. Participants emphasized that festivals, tastings, and the development of wine routes create an emotional connection between producers and consumers and help introduce Ukrainian wine to a wider audience.
The event also featured discussions on international support mechanisms, opportunities to access European programs following Ukraine’s integration into EU structures, and the need to develop a long-term state policy for the preservation and development of viticulture.
The event also included an exhibition. Grape varieties bred by the Tairov Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking were presented, as well as a variety of berry crops developed by the Institute of Horticulture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences: cherries, strawberries, raspberries, wild strawberries, blackberries, blue honeysuckle, sour cherries, and others.
The roundtable concluded with a discussion on concrete steps to support the industry—ranging from promoting local varieties and supporting producers to expanding the presence of Ukrainian wine in domestic and international markets.
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