Terroir winery in the Chervona Hora caves, Mukachevo

A winery in medieval caves

Terroir is a wine estate in the Chervona Hora ("Red Hill") area on the edge of Mukachevo, where wine is aged in ancient caves dating from the 13th–14th centuries. Legend says they were dug by hand by monks who came from Kyiv with Anastasia, daughter of Yaroslav the Wise, who married King Andrew I of Hungary. Fourteen caves with a total length of more than 300 metres stay cool all year round — perfect conditions for wine.

The estate was founded in 2018, though the first vines on the slopes of Chervona Hora were planted back in 2015; there are also plantings in the Berehove area. Terroir was the first private winemaker in Zakarpattia to receive an official wine-production licence.

Why go: a tasting with a cave tour

A tasting at Terroir is a small underground journey. For about an hour guests walk through caves housing a winemaking museum, a barrique cellar and several tasting rooms, hear the history of the caves and how grapes from volcanic slopes become wine, and taste varietal wines in the cool of the galleries.

Tastings are held by prior booking only for groups of 10 to 100, so smaller parties should call and ask whether they can join another group. Thanks to the stable temperature underground, you can come in any season — in summer heat or in winter.

What to try and buy

Terroir makes only dry, natural, varietal wines — up to 14,000 bottles a year:

• Zweigelt — the flagship, with a cherry aroma; the 2018 Zweigelt received the "Mayor of Mukachevo's Choice" award at Chervene Vyno 2021;
• Muscat Ottonel, Traminer, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon;
• Alia Terra — a blend of Zweigelt, Cabernet and Merlot from volcanic soils, plus "Terra Rosso".

Besides young wines, the winery releases aged ones — nine months in French barriques and another six months in bottle. Pick up a bottle or two after the tasting to take home the taste of this very hillside.

Chervona Hora is Mukachevo's historic wine area, and the cool caves in its slopes have long been linked with wine. Terroir has given them back their original purpose.

Practical information

• Address: 1A Chervona Hora St, Mukachevo (on Google Maps — "Terroir tasting hall").
• Getting there: Chervona Hora is on the northern edge of Mukachevo, a few minutes by car or taxi from the centre. Mukachevo is easy to reach by train from Lviv or Kyiv, or by the M06 road.
• Hours (per website): weekdays 11:00–22:00, weekends 10:00–23:00; tastings by prior booking only.
• Prices (per website): UAH 500 per person for groups of 10–20, UAH 400 for groups over 20; confirm current prices when booking.
• Contacts: +38 050 739 01 01, [email protected], terroir.in.ua.

Website and social media: terroir.in.ua

Photos: terroir.in.ua.