About us
The Abrau-Durso Group of companies produces sparkling wines created using classical technology and the Charmat method, still wines, as well as cider, spirits, energy and non-alcoholic carbonated drinks, and artesian water.
The Abrau-Durso Group of companies presents collections of Abrau-Durso, Vedernikov Winery and Loza wineries. In 2023, the Group's combined sales totalled 56.704 million bottles.
Abrau-Durso is the most titled winemaking enterprise of modern Russia. Since 2011, the company's wines have won more than 181 awards at international tasting competitions. Among them are gold medals from the oldest tasting competitions in the world: International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), Decanter World Wine Awards, International Wine Challenge, Mundus Vini, Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships (CSWWC) and Korean Wine Challenge.
Abrau-Durso is especially proud of its achievements at the largest international competition of sparkling and champagne wines CSWWC. In 2021, Abrau-Durso became the champion in the Rising Star category, in which experts annually recognize the most promising producer of sparkling and champagne wines in the world.
1870
On the 13th/25th of November, Emperor Alexander II ordered to found a wine estate between Lake Abrau and the Durso River. The decree was signed only on February 3rd, 1871. Dmitry Pilenko, the first Governor of the Black Sea District, was entrusted with the management of Abrau-Durso estate (1867-1876).
1871
Fedor Ivanovich Geyduk, the first agriculturist of Abrau-Durso, was sent to Europe to select and purchase vines. In Johannisberg (Austria), he purchased 10 thousand of selected Rhine Riesling vines and some Portugieser vines, which were mistakenly taken for Burgunder.
Meanwhile, other varieties – Cabernet, Sauvignon, Aligoté and Pinot Blanc – arrived from Livadiya (Crimea).
1877
The first grapes were harvested and the first winemaking was launched.
1884
The first significant success of Abrau wines at the Yalta exhibition in 1884. Experts were impressed with their soft and fine taste and awarded them gold medals.
1887
At the All-Russian Exhibition in Kharkov, samples of wines made from the harvest of 1883, 1884, 1885 using the vines of Portugieser, Bordeaux, Riesling and Sauternes were awarded a gold medal and a diploma with the inscription - “For excellent samples of red and white wine.”
1891
Lev Golintsyn
Alexander III appointed Prince Lev Golintsyn Chief Winemaker of Livadiy Royal Estate and of the Crimean and Caucasian appanage estates, which included Abrau-Durso. He would stay at this post from 1891 to 1898.
1896
At the All-Russian Exhibition Riesling "Abrau-Durso" received a 1st degree diploma, ahead of the gold medal in importance. A recognized domestic expert, an official for special assignments under the Minister of Agriculture A.E. Salomon writes about the abrausky vines: "These wines, both Riesling and Portuguese, leave nothing to be desired, both in terms of bouquet and fullness and harmony of taste, they can satisfy the most refined and whimsical taste."
1897
The first Abrau-Durso sparkling wine label with the national emblem was designed and the first 7,000 bottles with the new label were produced.
1898
The first release of Abrau-Durso champagne wine on sale.
1900s
The Table Wine Cellar, a building that would become the architectural symbol of Abrau-Durso, was constructed. The talented Russian winemaker Eduard Vedel developed the technological standard for famous Riesling and Cabernet wines produced as Abrau No. 63 and Abrau No. 44.
1905
Frenchman Victor Dravigny was invited as the chief sparkling wine maker. It was he who perfected the classical sparkling wine making method at Abrau-Durso. Victor Dravigny worked at Abrau-Durso in the years 1905-1919, a very hard time both for the estate and for the whole Russia. The winemaker received gifts from Emperor Nicholas II: a gold watch on a gold lace in 1909 and a gold cigarette case in 1913.
1910s
Abrau-Durso sparkling wines were served at official events of the Royal Court of Emperor Nicholas II.
By 1914, the Abrau-Durso specific estate was the most profitable winery and was estimated at 10 million rubles. The annual income was more than 1 million rubles.
1917
The revolution began in Russia. The imperial times were over, the future was full of uncertainty. All appanage estates became nationalised, including Abrau-Durso.
1920
A resolution establishing Abrau-Durso Soviet Estate managed by Eduard Vedel was passed. Anton Frolov-Bagreev, a talented and renowned winemaking scientist, who had invented the accelerated sparkling wine production method, was responsible for research. Abrau-Durso became a large-scale research centre and the only estate producing sparkling wines made by the traditional method in the USSR in those years.
1941
All plans shatter. World War II begins.
1942
The winery was evacuated. Experts left Abrau-Durso. The most valuable equipment, some wines and developments were evacuated. From September 1942 to September 1943, Abrau-Durso was occupied by the Nazis. Before leaving, they blew up the production facility, shot civilians, captivated the population.
1943
In mid-September 1943, the Abrau-Durso lands were liberated. Despite the ongoing war, local residents immediately began to restore the winery and vineyards.
1945
A grandiose winery restoration project has been developed.
1950
The state farm and the Abrau-Durso Champagne Factory were awarded the Orders of the Red Banner of Labour for their great merits in the development of viticulture and the production of champagne wines by decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
1973
For the first time in the history of our country, one hundred million bottles of Soviet Champagne had been produced at all factories during the year. This solemn event was widely celebrated, and it was officially decided to remove the jubilee bottle from the Abrau-Durso production line.
1974
Lake Abrau was announced a natural sanctuary. Felling of trees and using chemicals to treat vineyards on the adjacent lands was prohibited. All onshore vineyards were relocated.
1975
In 1975, Abrau-Durso developed the export brand of Soviet Champagne Nazdorovya. Sparkling wine was supplied to the USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Italy, Belgium, and other countries. In the US market, Pepsico was the supplier. Nazdorovya was featured in top American restaurants alongside with European counterparts.
1980s
By the mid-80s of the twentieth century, the vineyard area was more than a thousand hectares. The winery produced 3 million bottles of Soviet Champagne a year along with the famous Cabernet Abrau and Riesling Abrau wines. Directors D. Kravchenko and B. Anashkin, champagne winemakers E. Klots and Y. Tamoyan made a huge contribution to the post-war period.
1990s
On May 7, 1985, the Resolution of the CPSU Central Committee and the USSR Council of Ministers “On measures to overcome drunkenness and alcoholism” was published, resulting in serious damage to vineyards and wine-making farms throughout the former USSR territory.
An important role in the preservation of the winery and vineyards in the difficult 1980s-90s was played by its director N. N. Klochko, who headed the winery until 1997. Nikolay Nikitovich was awarded the Order of Lenin and the Order of the Red Banner of Labour, and in 1997, he became an honorary citizen of the Novorossiysk city.
2000
By the early 21st century, more than half of the vineyards had been lost. Some controversial and sometimes destructive decisions were taken, the owners come and go. Abrau-Durso was at the vanishing point.
2006
Boris Titov
SVL Group headed by Boris Titov acquired Abrau-Durso. The rebirth started with his desire to preserve and multiply great historical traditions of the Russian winemaking.
2010
Sparkling wines from today's Russia, Abrau-Durso Premium Brut Red Semi-Sweet (2007) and Abrau-Durso Imperial Cuvée L'Art Nouveau Brut (2008) were awarded medals at the main international tasting competition in London, the International Wine & Spirit Competition — 2010 (IWSC).
2011
Abrau-Durso received a status of “The Official Supplier of the Olympic Games 2014.” A special collection of sparkling wines was produced for the Olympic Games.
2013
The visit of Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin.
2014
A field meeting of the Government devoted to the Russian winemaking development headed by Dmitry Medvedev took place in Abrau-Durso.
2016
George Blanc, a European expert with a vast experience in sparkling wine making, became the Chief Oenologist of the Abrau-Durso Russian Winehouse.
2018
The Abrau-Durso Russian Winehouse continued to revive the traditions of still wines and produced Riesling, Cabernet and Chardonnay premium wines, which immediately received recognition of the world experts.
2019
Abrau-Durso gathered a record crop: 10.5 tonnes of grapes per hectare.
2020
In the year of its 150th anniversary, Abrau-Durso demonstrated a tenfold increase in the production of sparkling wine compared to the 1980s. The total area of vineyards after the acquisition of Yubileinaya agricultural company reached 3.3 thousand hectares; the area in the historical terroir was 730 hectares. During the year, still and sparkling wines under the Abrau-Durso brand received 31 medals at the largest international wine competitions, such as the International Wine and Spirits Competition, MundusVini, Decanter and IWC - 3 gold, 8 silver and 20 bronze medals. Wines were exported to more than 20 countries. The Abrau-Durso settlement became the largest wine tourism centre in Russia. The historical complex of the Russian Winehouse is listed among the best attractions of the world on Trip Advisor, one of the most influential global travel platforms. The Villa Rose restaurant won the Palm Branch Restaurant Business Award in 2020. Choice of guests. Local +. Shopping facilities of the Abrau-Durso Tourism Centre became the best in the federal competition “Trade of Russia”.
Wine Creation
The Terroir
The magic of wine consists in its ability to preserve the memory of its place of birth. The terroir is the magic that surrounds a growing vine. The word «terroir» comes from the French word «terre», which means «land». However, it has a much broader sense. This comprehensive term is used by wine makers to describe a unique combination of soils, weather conditions and ecosystem of an area, including its local charm. Each of these factors has a particular effect on the taste and aroma of wine. The terroir of Abrau-Durso includes a unique soft climate, an authentic composition of soils and a special compass rose of Caucasus foothills.
Wind Pattern
It is the wind that carries to the vineyards the aromas of the local nature, which are reflected in the local wine style. The winds of Abrau-Durso valley situated in the foothills of Navagir Mountains create a mixture from many aromas: from dry herbs and steppe flowers to salty sea and fresh lake aromas.
Soil and Stones
Millions of years ago, the place of Abrau-Durso vineyards was taken by the ocean floor. Today, sea minerals give power to the vines. Limestone dominates in the soils of Abrau-Durso, which makes this place similar to the world’s best winemaking areas, such as Chablis, Champagne or Franciacorta. The presence of large stones also makes a difference: they heat during the day and then release the heat into the soil, thus creating favourable conditions for the grapes to grow and ripen. This soil is the vines’ home.
Sea and Sun
320 sunny days per year, the proximity of the Black Sea and green forests of the North Caucasus National Park create the perfect conditions for Abrau-Durso’s vineyards. Located amphitheatrically in between green hills, they get most of the sun. The proximity of the sea is especially important at night when the vines need some chilling for the grapes to ripen in the right way. All these things let the winemakers produce the best grapes every year.
The Terroir
The magic of wine consists in its ability to preserve the memory of its place of birth. The terroir is the magic that surrounds a growing vine. The word «terroir» comes from the French word «terre», which means «land». However, it has a much broader sense. This comprehensive term is used by wine makers to describe a unique combination of soils, weather conditions and ecosystem of an area, including its local charm. Each of these factors has a particular effect on the taste and aroma of wine. The terroir of Abrau-Durso includes a unique soft climate, an authentic composition of soils and a special wind pattern of Caucasus foothills.
Wind Pattern
It is the wind that carries to the vineyards the aromas of the local nature, which are then reflected in the local wine style. The winds of Abrau-Durso valley situated in the foothills of Navagir Mountains create a mixture from many aromas: from dry herbs and steppe flowers to salty sea and fresh lake aromas.
Soil and Stones
Millions of years ago, the place of Abrau-Durso vineyards was taken by the ocean floor. Today, sea minerals give power to the vines. Limestone dominates in the soils of Abrau-Durso, which makes this place similar to the world’s best winemaking areas, such as Chablis, Champagne or Franciacorta. The presence of large stones also makes a difference: they heat during the day and then release the heat into the soil, thus creating favourable conditions for the grapes to grow and ripen. This soil is the vines’ home.
Sea and Sun
320 sunny days per year, the proximity of the Black Sea and green forests of the North Caucasus National Park create the perfect conditions for Abrau-Durso’s vineyards. Located amphitheatrically in between green hills, they get most of the sun. The proximity of the sea is especially important at night when the vines need some chilling for the grapes to ripen in the right way. All these things let the winemakers produce the best grapes every year.
The Family
The history of Abrau-Durso is written by people who are in love with the Winehouse. Enchanted by the magic of this place, they devoted their lives to it. Champagne makers, wine makers and oenologists are wizards of wine, who create the best samples for Abrau-Durso collection. Every day, they create wines just like artists create their paintings. Please welcome the Abrau-Durso family!
Our winery
The Abrau-Durso estate was founded in 1870 by Emperor Alexander II. The first agriculturist of the estate was Fedor Geyduk, who proposed to create vineyards at Lake Abrau, planting popular international grape varieties. From 1877 to 1898, the estate produced only still wines. The first batch of sparkling wines aged in rock tunnels of Abrau-Durso was released in 1896. Today, Abrau-Durso sparkling wines are produced using two methods - the traditional one and the Charmat method. French and Russian oenologists created sparkling wines for the collections, such as Imperial, Brut D’or, Victor Dravigny and Appanage Department - all aged in the famous Abrau-Durso rock tunnels. The Russian Champagne collection is produced using the accelerated Charmat method.