The bright sun, the gentle sea, the lush green of cedars and the fragrance of magnolias, ancient palaces and the warm, favorable climate are Massandra.
But not only the southern coast of Crimea is known for its landscapes and historical sights. Here is the world famous grape wine factory.
Officially, the year of foundation of this enterprise is considered 1894. It was then by decree of Nicholas II that the largest in Russia Massandra winery with storage facilities equipped in underground tunnels was built and started production. But his story begins much earlier.
How it all started
They began to grow grapes and produce heady drinks in Crimea before our era. Not far from the ancient Chersonesos, archaeologists found a stone stele, erected in honor of a certain Agaxilus, with thanks to the residents of the city for his concern about the cultivation of grapes.
In time immemorial, Karaites came and settled here on the territory of Massandra, Greeks sailed and established colonies. The Khazar Khaganate flourished there for seven centuries , the Visigoths and representatives of the trading elite of Byzantium and Genoa arrived. And all these big and small nations with reverence and great interest belonged to what Massandra is proud of today. Wine in the Crimea did not stop producing even with the advent of the Tatars, who, as you know, faith forbids drinking alcohol, since its sale brought a lot of income. It is even known that in the 17th century in Moscow there was a whole row of Sourozh, where they traded Crimean wines.
Two centuries of decline
At the beginning of the 18th century, viticulture on the territory of Massandra gradually fell into decay. He prefers to know imported French drinks, and local producers, unable to withstand the competition of European wines, go bankrupt. Agriculture and trade are declining, and former Greek and Genoese settlements are becoming ruins.
By the 19th century, Massandra (Yalta) became a seedy village and passed from one owner to another. The only significant building there at that time was a summer house built by M.S.Smirnov on the side of a mountain, which in turn was owned by Countess Pototskaya, her daughter Olga Stanislavovna Naryshkina, and Counts Vorontsova.
Rebirth
Massandra (Yalta) again became the center of viticulture when Mikhail Sergeyevich Vorontsov arrived there. He had big plans for the reorganization of agricultural practices in the Crimea. Golitsyn significantly increased the area of land for vineyards, wrote out vines of the best varieties from France and Spain. Experienced experts were invited from there. And already in 1834, the Massandra winery (the predecessor of the enterprise built by Prince Golitsyn) produced wines of such well-known varieties as Bordeaux, Riesling, Kokur and Tokai.
Unfortunately, after the death of Mikhail Sergeyevich, the heirs did not show interest in continuing the case. In 1889, the Vorontsov estate, which included Massandra (a winery and a manor), Livadia and Ai-Danil, were acquired by the imperial Specific Department.
Activities of Prince Golitsyn
As you know, Nicholas II had a great love for Yalta and sought to develop agriculture there and organize the production of wines that would not be inferior to foreign ones. By his order, Prince L. S. Golitsyn arrives in Massandra. At that time, he was a leading winemaker of the Russian Empire and already had experience in the Crimea.
He significantly increased the area of the Massandra vineyards, and to withstand finished products he ordered the construction of a special basement that looked like tunnels. Moreover, the storage was arranged in such a way that in it the temperature of 12-14 degrees of heat was preserved all year round in a natural way. It is optimal for aging drinks of the best quality.
At the same time, the Massandra Winery began to be built according to the project of the architect A. I. Ditrich.
At the end of August 1898, production was solemnly launched at the huge production complex at that time. It included the Massandra winery and a cellar, designed to store 250 thousand decalitres of draft wine and 1 million bottles. And in 1900, the best samples of the company's products were presented at the World Exhibition in Paris. When a few months later, Nicholas II came with his wife to inspect his new palace in Livadia, Golitsyn invited the royal couple to try Massandra wines. The emperor especially liked the port of Livadia, and the tsarina liked Aleatico Ayu-Dag. Since then, both drinks began to be delivered to the Romanovs table.
Under Soviet rule
The Massandra plant continued to flourish after the October Revolution. Moreover, its cellars were turned into a gallery of the best grape drinks of the Crimea, and many private collections were brought there.
However, over time, the building that housed the Massandra factory was dilapidated and equipment was outdated. In 1937, work began on the reconstruction and expansion of old workshops. In addition, the construction of a new plant was initiated. During the war, work was suspended and reconstruction was finally completed in 1956.
"No alcohol law"
The fame of the Massandra association (winery) is inextricably linked with the name of Academician Alexander Alexandrovich Egorov, who worked for 33 years as the chief winemaker of the enterprise. He is the author of famous brands: Muscat “Red Stone” and “Pinot Gris Ai-Danil”.
In the 80s of the last century, the threat of destruction hung over Massandra's vineyards due to the anti-alcohol company that was too active. It was even supposed to cut down some of them and use the vacated land for other purposes. Fortunately, the enterprise was defended by Vladimir Shcherbitsky, who was then the first secretary of the Crimean regional committee.
The legendary factory continued to work. Moreover, in 1988, a record appeared in the Guinness Book of Records that the place where the most unique and largest collection of grape drinks is located is Crimea, the Massandra Winery.
Brands and prices
Currently, the assortment of the Massandra production association contains more than 250 brands of wines, including souvenir and collection ones. Basically (about 80%) these are liquor, fortified and strong dessert drinks. Among them is what the Massandra winery is primarily proud of - Cahors Partenit wine. Madeira “Massandra”, “Tauride” muscat, pink “Alushta” and red “Livadia” port wine are also valued throughout the world.
The assortment includes table and dry and semi-sweet wines, such as Aluston White, Saperavi, Merlot and others.
If you like wine under the brand name Massandra, the price can fluctuate widely. Most expensive are branded drinks. You can buy, for example, pink muscat “Dessert” (0.75 liter bottle) for 1000, but there are wines from the Massandra plant and for 350 rubles.
Awards
During the existence of the plant, Massandra's drinks at various competitions held in the USSR, Ukraine and other countries received 200 gold and silver medals. No wine company has such an award.
Tastings
Guests at the winery in Massandra are always welcome. Every year, thousands of connoisseurs of exquisite grape drinks specially come there. They are offered to taste collection wines. For tourists visiting in 2001, a special excursion object was created, located in the building of the Main Basement of the enterprise, built in 1894-1897 under the leadership of Prince Lev Sergeyevich Golitsyn.
In addition, tastings are held in the resort of Alupka, next to the Vorontsov Park. Judging by the reviews of guests of the Crimea, excursions to the main basement of the Massandra winery make an indelible impression, and they are happy to recommend them to their friends.
Have you ever tasted Massandra wines? Then be sure to get a bottle or two of the drink produced in this famous Crimean enterprise. Then you will enjoy the wine, which delighted the crowned persons and heads of state in many parts of the world.