Wine that Unites

Mukachevo. November 14, 2025.

This day will forever remain in the history of Ukrainian winemaking.
Right here, in the heart of the Silver Land, a unique fusion of tradition and modernity took place - the Feast of St. Martin, the patron of Mukachevo, was held for the first time together with the international forum “Integration Processes in Winemaking: Modern Tools.”

The event brought together more than two hundred guests from Ukraine and Central European countries - winemakers, scientists, community representatives, international experts, and business leaders. The forum became a platform where Ukraine spoke in unison with the European winemaking community.

The program featured a scientific conference, discussion panels, and conversations on innovative approaches to winemaking, education, and cross-border cooperation.

In the evening, the forum culminated with the ceremonial opening of a barrel of young wine near the monument to St. Martin, where the winemakers of the Silver Land took a professional oath and shared the wine of the new 2025 vintage. A symbolic moment that marked renewal and unity in Ukrainian winemaking.
The initiators of the event were Oksana Tkachenko, Head of the Department of Wine Technology and Sensory Analysis at ONTU, and Oleksandr Harnovdii, Head of the Association of Viticulturists, Winemakers, and Distillers of Zakarpattia.

Among the distinguished guests were Ricardo Fernández Núñez, owner of the international group Vinos de La Luz; Nataliia Burlachenko, CEO of Big Wines and 46 Parallel; and Yehor Stefanovych and Andrii Stefanovych.

During the forum, the Ukrainian Viticulture and Winemaking Association (UVWA) was officially presented - a platform designed to unite the professional community of the industry.

In her speech, Nataliia Burlachenko emphasized that the development of Ukrainian winemaking is not only about economics, but above all about identity, culture, and pride in our land.

Ricardo Núñez noted that he sees enormous potential in Ukrainian winemaking and continues to invest in the industry, believing in the future of our country:
“I am not only investing in wine - I am investing in people, in faith, in a country capable of creating a great future,” Mr. Ricardo said.

The forum was organized by FAO (UN), Mukachevo City Council, the Association of Viticulturists, Winemakers and Distillers of Zakarpattia, Uzhhorod National University, and Odesa National Technological University, with media support from Drinks+ / Technologies & Innovations Magazine.

Sincere gratitude to the organizers for the high level of the event, which has become a symbol of unity between Ukrainian and European winemaking.

This day proved once again: winemaking is not only a craft - it is a language of culture, science, and belief in one’s own strength.
And it is from events like this that a new era of Ukrainian wine begins.