Ivan Plachkov:

“Humanity has invented nothing wiser than wine and bread throughout its entire history.”

20 Years of the Kolonist Winery and the Path of Odesa Black wine to its Recognition

This year, the family-owned Kolonist winery celebrated its 20th anniversary. It was created “from scratch” in the founder’s native village of Krynychne (Odesa region, Ukraine), where the winery’s founder, Ivan Plachkov, was born.

Over two decades, Kolonist has gone through a difficult journey, overcoming numerous challenges and achieving significant victories. The winery has become one of the key driving forces behind the revival of Ukrainian winemaking.

We have reached a level where our wines have become a business card of the country’s diplomatic corps — and most importantly, thanks to Kolonist, Bessarabia has reappeared on the world’s international wine map.

Danubian Bessarabia: Restoring the Wine Identity of the Region

Thanks to initiatives led by Ivan Plachkov, the name “Danubian Bessarabia” has taken root in Ukraine’s information space. It refers to a part of the historical region of Bessarabia located within Ukraine, stretching along the Danube around the lakes Yalpuh, Kuhurluy, and Kartal. Today, this region is one of the country’s most promising terroirs.

Kolonist: From 3,000 to 300,000 Bottles

Kolonist became a pioneer in many areas and was part of the wave of new Ukrainian wineries emerging in the 2000s.

In 2005, the winery had only 1.5 hectares of its own vineyards and produced 3,000 bottles per year.

Today, it has 72 hectares and produces 300,000 bottles annually.

From the very first day, Kolonist’s philosophy has been built on the quality of every single bottle. We experimented with various grape varieties and at one point produced up to 25 labels. Now we have narrowed the line to 12 wines — and among them has always been one special variety that became our soul and identity.

ODESA BLACK – The Heart of Kolonist

Odesa Black (Alibernet) is a red technical grape variety created at the V. Ye. Tairov Institute (near Odesa, Ukraine) in the mid-20th century by crossing Cabernet Sauvignon and Alicante Bouschet.

For a long time, its potential went unused: the grape was cheap, and the wine made from it served mostly as bulk. Credit must go to the Tairov Institute — they were the only ones who continued cultivating and preserving this variety.

Everything changed in 2007 when Kolonist released its first varietal wine “Odesa Black.”

“We set a goal — to create a brand of Ukrainian wine.”

— Ivan Plachkov

“At the beginning of the 2000s, there was no such brand as ‘Ukrainian wine.’ We wanted to change that — to find a grape variety and create a wine that would be associated with our country.

I was certain: that variety should be Odesa Black.

Winemakers should know that this variety is temperamental and unruly; it’s hard to tame, sometimes unpredictable, but possesses incredible strength and character. That’s why we gave it a new life. I often call it a mustang. And my wife Alla came up with the slogan specifically for this wine: ‘Odesa Black — uncork the Ukrainian character!’

Last year, the famous wine publication Decanter named her one of the most influential women shaping modern Ukrainian wine.”

Together with Odesa Black, the winery was also the first to produce varietal Sukholymanske, made from another Ukrainian grape — Sukholymanske White, also created at the Tairov Institute.

THE ROAD TO RECOGNITION: FROM BESSARABIA TO LONDON AND BORDEAUX

Thanks largely to Kolonist, Odesa Black became recognizable not only in Ukraine but abroad.

Key milestones in its popularization:

• collaboration with Good Wine and Wine Bureau, the first to support Ukrainian wine by Kolonist;

• first appearance of Kolonist Odesa Black in restaurants and on store shelves across Ukraine;

• first international presentations of Odesa Black (in the UK, Greece, Estonia, Poland, France);

• presentation of Odesa Black at the UK Parliament (2008, 2009) — the first time for Ukrainian wine;

• inclusion of Kolonist in the French wine almanac l’Amateur de Bordeaux;

“This wine deserves its rightful place in the world’s wine history,”

said Denis Savro, editor-in-chief of La Revue du vin de France;

• Kolonist wines officially listed among the 100 Best Products of Ukraine;

• first Ukrainian label to appear in the World Atlas of Wine;

• awards at the International Wine Challenge (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023), including medals for Odesa Black;

• presentations at global exhibitions ProWein (Germany), Vinexpo (Bordeaux), VinItaly (Italy), London Wine Fair, ExpoVin (Moldova), EnoExpo (Poland), Wine Premier Awards in London, Imbibe London;

• entry into the markets of the UK, Canada, Poland, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden;

• Odesa Black was twice (2011, 2017) presented to the world-renowned expert Oz Clarke, who said of it:

“This wine has personality — it has its own character.”

And he wrote: “This is a great beginning. I can imagine what these wines will be like in 10 years. Thanks to Kolonist, Bessarabia will appear on the world wine map.”

Kolonist — A Story of People Who Believed in Ukrainian Wine

The success of Odesa Black is truly the story of our team — every employee responsible for the full production cycle from vineyard to bottle, and from bottle to shelf.

It is also the shared work of wine schools, sommeliers, experts, restaurant owners, distributors, and retail networks.

Meanwhile, Odesa Black gained popularity abroad thanks to our exporting partners.

All of this is complemented by hundreds of wine-tastings in Ukraine and abroad by Ivan and Alla Plachkov.

We are grateful to Wines of Ukraine, who every year open opportunities for Ukrainian winemakers to present their wines at ProWein in Düsseldorf, where Kolonist showcases Odesa Black to the world.

Alla Plachkova, co-owner of Kolonist, wine expert:

“Odesa Black today is a story of persistent work and an endless pursuit of excellence.”

THE WINEMAKER’S VOICE

Ivan Plachkov:

“My greatest achievement, I believe, is that Odesa Black has become the flagship of Ukrainian winemaking.

Once forgotten, today it is a grape variety that dozens of Ukrainian winemakers proudly cultivate.

Ukraine now officially has its own recognizable wine — and that wine is Odesa Black.”

In 2021, a new holiday was established at Kolonist winery — Odesa Black Day, symbolizing the grape’s status as a national treasure.

Introducing MAGNUM OPUS

For its 20th anniversary, Kolonist presents a new wine — MAGNUM OPUS, created from Odesa Black by a unique technology and aged for two years in French barrels made specifically for this release.

Ivan Plachkov:

“My wife told me:

‘Ivan, this is your greatest achievement at this stage and the most important contribution you’ve made as a winemaker for the entire country. This is nothing less than your Magnum Opus.’

And so the name was born — Magnum Opus, which in Latin means ‘the greatest and most important work of one’s life’ — Odesa Black.

This wine is a true symbol of our journey.”

Ivan Plachkov:

“I am grateful to everyone who believed in us and supported Ukrainian wine.

Ahead we have new victories. Ukraine will win! Just keep doing your work …”

P.S.

Ivan Plachkov:

“Telling the story of Odesa Black, I do not in any way want to diminish the significance of other Kolonist wines. Each one is our passion and pride, each unique and unrepeatable. Each has its own story and its own victories. I will definitely tell you about each of them separately.”