On 12 February, two 500kg, Russian FAB-500 aerial bombs completely destroyed the 19th-century building of the Prince Trubetskoi Winery in the Kherson region of Ukraine.
The winery was originally founded 130 years ago by a Russian prince and, while changing hands several times over the years (including being collectivized during the Soviet Era), it was actively producing wine up until the full Russian invasion of the country on 24 February, 2022.
Having the unfortunate geographic location of being in the village of Vesele along the banks of the Dnieper River, it fell under Russian occupation during 2022. It, along with the entirety of the right bank of the Kherson region was liberated by the Ukrainians in November of 2022, but, as has come to be standard fashion, the Russians looted the premises, stealing 70 years worth of archived wines and then destroying what they couldn’t take with them.
Upon returning, the owners decided to start producing wines in the village of Ozerne about 250km southwest of Odesa and using the new name, Stoic Wines as while they honor the history of the winery, they wanted to leave the Russian legacy in the past. Despite not using the premises in Kherson for production, they were nonetheless coming under constant fire from Russian forces that still occupy the left bank of the river.
The bombs that struck on the 12th of February were however the final blow and severely damaged the original structure to the point that it will need to be rebuilt (see the photos from before the latest attack) According to Sergiy Klimov (a Ukrainian wine expert and founder of the Kyiv Food & Wine Festival), thankfully employees of the winery were able to salvage the original plans from the premises with the idea to rebuild whenever the war reaches an end.
People wishing to support the winery during these difficult times can buy the wines in the US via Skurnik. If wishing to help the continuing overall relief efforts in Ukraine, donate to Come Back Alive and, if able, contact the politicians in your respective country to remind them that the war hasn’t ended just because it’s not talked about as much anymore.
