Chateau Chizay Winery

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Chateau Chizay Winery
LocationBerehove, Zakarpattia Oblast, Ukraine
Coordinates48°13′34″N 22°38′24″E / 48.226077°N 22.640079°E / 48.226077; 22.640079
Founded1995
Cases/yr1 300 000
Known forFurmint Late Harvest, Ice Wine, Troyanda Karpat, Kahor Zakarpattya
VarietalsCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Traminer, Chersegi
DistributionInternational
TastingAvailable
Websitehttps://chizay.com
Chateau Chizay — estate among vineyards

Chateau Chizay Winery was founded in 1995 and is located in Berehove, Zakarpattia Oblast, Ukraine. The winery owns 272 hectares of vineyards in three districts of the region and is a leading wine producer in the area.[1] It is one of the most famous wineries established in independent Ukraine, not based on Soviet heritage.[2]

Wines from Chateau Chizay are exported to 21 countries worldwide: from the USA to Japan, from Norway to Singapore, including Old World wine countries — Italy and France.

In recent years, the winery has been winning medals at the most prestigious and strict international competitions such as Decanter and London Wine Competition, Paris Wine Cup, Japan Wine Challenge, Mundus Vini Dusseldorf, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, Wine & Spirits Ukraine Awards, Mondial des Vins Blancs Strasbourg, and others.

Chateau Chizay is a popular tourist attraction.[3] It receives guests daily for tours of the winery town and tastings in various formats, including non-alcoholic options. The winery also organizes wine tours and even children's quests.

In 2019, Chateau Chizay opened the Chiz Winemaker Museum[4] as a tribute to the region's history, viticulture, and winemaking culture, and an investment in education. Chateau Chizay promotes wine tourism, the culture of wine consumption, and high-quality local products, actively advancing Ukrainian wines worldwide and upholding uncompromising quality and consumer respect.

History of the Winery[edit]

  • Early 13th century. King of Hungary Stephen II grants land to his subject named Chepan. In 1230, the heir is his son Chiz. The estate is called Chiz-tai, "Chiz's estate". Over time, the area becomes known as "Chizay".
  • 15th century. The Chizay estate appears on Hungarian maps as a wine producer supplying wine to the rulers of Mukachevo Castle, royal courts of Europe, and northern lands.
  • 1995. A new enterprise is built on the site of the old Chizay wine estate.
  • 2000. The company produces 1,000,000 bottles of wine per month.
  • 2005. The building takes on the appearance of a country palace. Chateau Chizay gains the status of a tourist attraction.
  • 2006. Chateau Chizay establishes its own vineyards with the participation of Austrian experts. The winery continues to develop viticulture and plant varietal vines.
  • 2007. The area of Chateau Chizay's vineyards reaches 272 hectares.
  • 2012. The company produces wine exclusively from its own harvest.
  • 2015. The company releases natural grape juice from the Isabella grape variety for the first time. It becomes an immediate bestseller, eagerly awaited each season for its health benefits, rich vitamins, and delicious taste.
  • 2016. The best red wines are aged in French oak barrels for the first time. The winery continues to produce a premium collection of aged wines, expanding the range to include white varieties.
  • 2017. At the 25th International Wine Competition Bukkaljai Borfesztival in Eger (Hungary), seven Chateau Chizay wines win gold medals, and the company receives a commemorative award as the Best Winery in Europe 2017.
  • 2018. At the international exhibition with a tasting competition Wine & Spirits Ukraine Awards[5] in Kyiv, all nine wines submitted by the company receive awards, the best result among Ukrainian wineries. The Chateau Chizay Academy educational project is launched.
  • 2019. The Chiz Winemaker Museum opens, the "Bordeaux – Zakarpattia" international cooperation program begins, and the Young Wine Festival is held. The Chizay Wine Run is established.[6] Chateau Chizay develops the "Wines of Zakarpattia" and "Wines of Ukraine" umbrella brands to promote Zakarpattia as a viticultural and winemaking region and place Ukraine on the world map as a wine-producing country.
  • 2020. Despite the crisis and quarantine, the company releases a new unique product: Grape White Blend,[7] a strong grape drink made from wine distillate of local Furmint and Chersegi grape varieties. A wine cellar for premium wines is built. On September 25, during his visit to Zakarpattia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announces the establishment of a new professional holiday in Ukraine — Day of the Grape Grower and Winemaker, signing the decree on the same day.[8]
  • 2021. Chateau Chizay significantly increases its collection of awards: three Silver medals at the London Wine Competition (plus a quality award for "Troyanda Karpat");[9] 13 medals at the "Wine & Spirits Ukraine Awards" (including 5 "gold" medals).[10] Vegan wine and grape juice certification from the Vegan Society. The first Wine Tour "Krayina Mriy" with Oleh Skrypka.
  • 2022. The Great War does not stop the company's work. On February 24, Chateau Chizay lays down Sekt Selection[11] for lees aging – the first sparkling wine of Zakarpattia made by the traditional champagne method from the rare Chersegi and Blaufränkisch varieties. The construction of a production complex for grape spirits and brandy is completed. The company receives medals at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards.[12] Carpathian Sekt Chersegi and "Troyanda Karpat" become ambassadors of Ukraine at La Cité du Vin, the world's main wine museum.
  • 2023. Chateau Chizay releases its first skin-contact (Orange Wine) Furmint Orange,[13] the only one in Ukraine from this variety. Another new product, Furmint Late Harvest, is a wine made from botrytized late-harvest grapes. Continuing their creative pursuits with the exclusive Furmint variety in Ukraine, Chateau Chizay realizes their dream of creating a natural sweet wine from noble rot-affected grapes, Botrytis cinerea. This wine is an ambassador of Ukrainian winemaking at the world's main wine museum, La Cité du Vin (France). It receives a Grand Gold Medal at the "Mondial des Vins Blancs Strasbourg – 2024".
  • 2024. Chateau Chizay releases Zakarpattia Brandy, based on valuable spirits aged in their own wine barrels. Thus begins a new story. The winery successfully represents Ukrainian winemaking at the major international exhibition ProWein Dusseldorf.[14] At the global white wine competition Mondial des Vins Blancs Strasbourg, sweet wines created using a complex technology win Gold and Grand Gold medals: Ice Wine and Late Harvest.[15] The strict and prestigious competition Mundus Vini (Germany) awards the gold medal to the 2021 vintage dessert white wine "Troyanda Karpat" (91 points out of 100). The silver medal (88 points) goes to the dessert red wine "Troyanda Karpat". The 5th All-Ukrainian professional tasting competition Independent Craft (Ukrainian Craft Spirits Awards – 2024) recognizes strong grape drinks. Grape Red Blend wins the Grand Gold medal, Best Drink of the competition in the grape distillate category; Zakarpattia Brandy "Mala Hora" 7* wins the Grand Gold medal and the title of Best Drink in the brandy category. The Ukraine Wine & Spirits Awards – 2024 tasting competition held in Kyiv brings 7 medals – one for each of Chateau Chizay's seven entries. Gold medals: Zakarpattia Brandy "Mala Hora" 7 stars; Furmint Orange with a record 87.57 points; vintage dessert white wine "Troyanda Karpat" and aged dry red wine Pinot Noir 2019. Silver medals: brut rosé sparkling wine Carpathian Sekt Blaufränkisch; aged dry red wine Cuvée 2020; Zakarpattia Brandy 5 stars.

Chateau Chizay Vineyards[edit]

Chateau Chizay vineyards

The company owns 272 hectares of plantations in Zakarpattia, in the foothills of the Carpathians, on the slopes of predominantly volcanic hills. This includes 1,088,000 grape vines.[16] The vineyards were planted in 2006.

The plantations do not use artificial irrigation, and most vine operations (seasonal pruning, harvest, etc.) are done manually. Microterroirs (microzones) are very favorable due to the soil and mild climate of Zakarpattia, where the grapes receive sufficient warmth and moisture. Elite seedlings, selected for microzones, and professional care allow for high-quality harvests and world-class wines.[citation needed]

The company grows white and red European grape varieties. Some of the varieties are rare and exclusive in Ukraine. Roter Traminer, Chersegi Fuseres, Furmint, Muscat Ottonel, Riesling Rhine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Blaufränkisch — this is not a complete list of varieties.

The vineyards are also a tourist attraction and a place for photo and video sessions and ceremonial events. They host viticulture and winemaking professionals for tours, seminars, masterclasses, professional tastings, art picnics, and more. There is a restaurant and a mini-hotel among the vineyards.[17]

In 2019, Chateau Chizay established Ukraine's first vineyard run, the Chizay Wine Run. In 2023, it was held for the fourth time as the Chizay Sparkling Wine Run (in honor of the Carpathian Sekt sparkling wine collection) to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.[18]

Among the company's unique initiatives are Ukraine's first Wine Yoga[19] tours and tours for lovers of Nordic walking through the Mala Hora tract plantations.

Chateau Chizay Wines[edit]

Chateau Chizay produces wines exclusively from its own harvest and offers several collections, including premium ones.

There are names that are unique for Ukraine.

At the end of 2020, under the Chateau Chizay brand, Carpathian Sekt is released – a sparkling wine made using the Charmat-Martinotti method. It is a single-varietal wine and the first in Ukraine from the Chersegi and Traminer grapes. The collection becomes very popular, and Chateau Chizay later creates a rosé sparkling wine from the Blaufränkisch variety.

On February 24, 2022, Chateau Chizay lays down Sekt Selection for lees aging – the first sparkling wines of Zakarpattia made using the traditional champagne method from the rare Chersegi and Blaufränkisch varieties. The release is presented at the end of 2023, with the wines already having 22 months of lees aging, making a significant impact on the market.

In 2023, Chateau Chizay releases its first skin-contact (Orange Wine) Furmint Orange, the only one in Ukraine from this variety. This release follows several years of experiments, and the company finally presents a batch of 2000 bottles, sold out within 3 months.

Another new product, Furmint Late Harvest, is a late-harvest wine. Continuing their creative pursuits with the exclusive Furmint variety in Ukraine, Chateau Chizay realizes their dream of creating a natural sweet wine from noble rot-affected grapes, Botrytis cinerea. The wine is an ambassador of Ukrainian winemaking at the world's main wine museum, La Cité du Vin (France). It receives a Grand Gold Medal at the "Mondial des Vins Blancs Strasbourg – 2024".

Vintage dessert wine "Troyanda Karpat" is created according to the recipe of Transcarpathian winemakers from 1959. To recreate this wine, the hallmark of Zakarpattia, the company planted Traminer Pink grape vineyards. This wine has won many international awards of the highest level. In 2018, it received a Platinum medal and was recognized as the best wine in Ukraine according to the results of the International Tasting Competition Wine & Spirits Ukraine Awards.[5] "Troyanda Karpat" was chosen as an ambassador of national winemaking at the world wine culture center La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux (France). In 2023, it won a Platinum medal at the Japan Wine Challenge. In 2024, "Troyanda Karpat" won a Gold medal at the world competition Mundus Vini in Germany.

Chateau Chizay is the only winery in Ukraine certified to produce kosher wine and also exports it.[20]

Chateau Chizay is the only producer of Chersegi Fuseres wine in Ukraine.[21]

In partnership with musician and cultural figure Oleh Skrypka, Chateau Chizay has been producing the "Krayina Mriy" collection of author's wines since 2018.[22]

Especially for churches and monasteries in Ukraine, Chateau Chizay produces "Cahors of Zakarpattia".

In 2016, the company began producing Ice Wine from Rhine Riesling grapes. It was recognized as the best wine in Ukraine according to the results of the International Tasting Competition Wine & Spirits Ukraine Awards 2020.[23]

In 2018, Chateau Chizay introduced to the market and international competitions wines aged in French oak barrels from Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Furmint varieties. Soon, Cabernet Sauvignon and blended wine Cuvée were added. The company continues to develop this collection and win international awards.

Expanding the range of premium wines and with the dream of continuing the history of outstanding wine, at the end of 2023, Chateau Chizay presents the vintage dessert red wine "Troyanda Karpat".

Social Activity[edit]

Chateau Chizay collaborates with Uzhhorod National University, particularly the Department of Tourism,[24] with the Association of Tourist Guides of Zakarpattia and other relevant institutions and organizations, as well as with local product producers. It is the first company in Ukraine to sign the memorandum of the environmental initiative The Porto Protocol, which unites environmentally friendly wineries worldwide. It is also the initiator of the creation of the Association of Viticulturists and Winemakers of Zakarpattia[25] and obtaining protected geographical indication "Wines of Zakarpattia"[26] for quality wines of the region.

The company collaborates with Ukrainian and global producers to create new quality products (such as coffee fermented in barrels;[27] providing barrels for aging whiskey in Scotland, etc.) and expands the scope of its activities.

It interacts with public and charitable organizations for joint social projects.

Chateau Chizay combines tourism and education by hosting open days, harvest and wine festivals, and other events and seminars for colleagues and partners about viticulture, winemaking, consumption culture, and Zakarpattia gastronomy.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Successful Ukrainian winemakers. Where to go for red, white and rosé?". Economic Truth (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  2. ^ "How Transcarpathian wine conquers the world. Report from "Chateau Chizay"". Economic Truth (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  3. ^ Samosvat, Ira (2020-08-16). "Where to go for a trip for delicious Ukrainian wine? Top tips from a sommelier". ShotaM (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  4. ^ Kotsan, Ksusha (2019-10-16). "A wine-making museum opened in Transcarpathia". ShotaM (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  5. ^ a b "Wine&Spirits Ukraine Awards winners". Drinks+ (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  6. ^ "A wine run took place in Transcarpathia among the vineyards of Chateau Chizay". Drinks+ (in Ukrainian). 2023-08-30. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  7. ^ "Chateau Chizay – more than just wine". Drinks+ (in Ukrainian). 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  8. ^ "Zelensky establishes a holiday for those who know how to make wine". Ukrainian Truth (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  9. ^ "GOLD WINNERS 2021". london wine competition. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  10. ^ "Results of the Ukraine Wine&Spirits Awards 2021". Drinks+ (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  11. ^ "Chateau Chizay presents the first sparkling wine of Zakarpattia Sekt Selection, created by the traditional method". Drinks+ (in Ukrainian). 2023-11-23. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  12. ^ "Two Chateau Chizay wines receive silver and bronze medals at a tasting competition in London". Varosh (in Ukrainian). 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  13. ^ "Unique orange wine created in Transcarpathia". Ukrinform (in Ukrainian). 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  14. ^ "Wines of Ukraine at ProWein 2024: achievements, development, new perspectives". Drinks+ (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  15. ^ "At Mondial des Vins Blancs Strasbourg, Ukrainian wines win 6 medals". Drinks+ (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  16. ^ "Chateau Chizay vineyards". Chizay (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  17. ^ "Chizay Mala Gora - Restaurant among vineyards". Chizay Mala Gora. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  18. ^ "A vineyard run took place in Transcarpathia among the vineyards of "Chateau Chizay"". BIZAGRO - Agricultural business in Ukraine (in Ukrainian). 2023-08-31. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  19. ^ "Yoga in the vineyard. On June 27, there will be a yoga tour with a tour and tasting". Varosh (in Ukrainian). 2021-06-22. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  20. ^ "Ukraine & France: a unique story of wine". AgroPortal.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  21. ^ "Chersegi. Our. Gold". Chizay (in Ukrainian). 2019-01-28. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  22. ^ "On January 17, Oleg Skrypka presented his limited edition wine". gvult (in Ukrainian). 2019-01-18. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  23. ^ "Wine&Spirits Ukraine 2020: Quarantine edition". Drinks+. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  24. ^ "UzhNU » Department of Tourism » About us". www.uzhnu.edu.ua (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  25. ^ "An association of viticulturists, winemakers, and distillers was created in Zakarpattia". kurkul.com (in Ukrainian). 2022-01-21. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  26. ^ Koval, Oleksandr (2019-04-05). "Will there be an official brand "Zakarpattia wine"?". Tourism of Zakarpattia (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  27. ^ "Transcarpathian wine barrels give a special aroma to Lviv coffee". AgroTimes. Retrieved 2024-04-03.

External Links[edit]

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