RUTHERFORD, Calif. – In a bid to revitalize Ukraine’s war-torn agricultural landscape, a Napa Valley winery is hosting a select group of Ukrainian vintners this week. Grgich Hills Estate in Rutherford has welcomed six winemakers from Ukraine’s Southern region to engage in knowledge exchange and explore regenerative farming techniques as a means to rebuild their wine industry.
Svitlana Tsybak, one of the visiting winemakers, emphasizes the resilience of Ukrainian vintners amidst challenging circumstances. Despite the overshadowing focus on other agricultural sectors due to the ongoing conflict, Tsybak remains committed to showcasing Ukraine’s rich wine diversity, particularly its indigenous varietals.
The initiative, known as Mines to Vines, is spearheaded by the international nonprofit Roots of Peace, under the leadership of Bay Area native Heidi Kuhn. With a vision to replace minefields with vineyards and orchards globally, Kuhn’s organization aims to promote peace through agricultural transformation.
Drawing parallels with Croatia’s post-war scenario in the 1990s, Grgich Estate’s Vice President of Winemaking, Ivo Jeramaz, empathizes with Ukraine’s plight, citing similarities with Croatia’s own struggles. Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, the founder of Grgich Hills Estate, previously collaborated with Kuhn to support Croatia’s wine industry post-conflict, a testament to the transformative power of vineyard cultivation.
Through workshops and hands-on training, the Ukrainian vintners are acquiring essential skills in pruning, vineyard management, and regenerative farming techniques. Grgich Estate, renowned for its organic grape cultivation practices, offers insights into sustainable viticulture, emphasizing the importance of soil restoration and ecological balance.
Despite dwindling international attention on Ukraine’s conflict, winemakers like Tsybak stress the ongoing severity of the situation. The visit, made possible through a global grant facilitated by international rotary clubs, serves as a catalyst for empowering Ukrainian winemakers to reclaim and rejuvenate their land, transitioning minefields into thriving vineyards.
As the Ukrainian vintners conclude their training and prepare to return home, their journey symbolizes a collective endeavor to rebuild not only a wine industry but also hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
