The volume of sparkling wine production in Krasnodar Krai has seen an impressive 2.5-fold increase over the past five years, highlighting the region's growing role in Russia's winemaking industry.
This milestone was recently emphasized by Veniamin Kondratyev, the governor of Krasnodar Krai, during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
Winemaking: A Point of Regional Pride
Governor Kondratyev underscored the significance of the region’s winemaking sector, calling it a source of pride for the Krasnodar Region. Since 2019, the viticulture and wine industry in Russia has witnessed substantial growth, with Krasnodar Krai at the forefront of this expansion.
Key achievements over the past five years include:
- An increase of 6,500 hectares in vineyard area.
- A fourfold rise in vine seedling production.
- A 2.5 times surge in sparkling wine output.
Record Sparkling Wine Production Despite Challenges
According to EMISS (Unified Interdepartmental Statistical Information System), 8.8 million dal (decaliters) of sparkling wine were produced in Krasnodar Krai in 2024. This accounted for 50% of Russia’s total sparkling wine production, which stood at 17.6 million dal.
Despite the sector's growth, winemakers faced a 14% decrease in grape harvest compared to 2023 due to challenging weather conditions. However, Andrey Zhuravel, head of the Plant Growing Department at the regional Ministry of Agriculture, reassured that while yields were lower, the quality of grapes remained high.
Future Expansion of Vineyards in Krasnodar Krai
Looking ahead, the Krasnodar Ministry of Agriculture has ambitious plans to further expand the region’s vineyard area. According to a March 2025 report by the ministry’s press service to RBC Vino, at least 16,000 hectares of new vineyards are expected to be planted in the region by the end of the year. This expansion would bring the total vineyard area to more than 33,000 hectares, solidifying Krasnodar Krai's position as a key player in Russia's wine industry.
With increasing investments, a strong focus on quality, and rising domestic demand, Krasnodar Krai is set to remain at the forefront of Russia's sparkling wine production boom in the years to come.
Source: RBC Vino