Wine growing began to grow – Newspaper Kommersant No. 166 (7367) of 09/09/2022

The desire to enter a higher price segment and attract a new audience is pushing Russian winemakers towards the development of an organic direction. In 2023, the area under such vineyards in the country can grow by 200 hectares, and in three years it can exceed 900 hectares. But the largest players are wary of this production method, as it creates the risk of crop loss.

The area of ​​vineyards certified according to organic standards in Russia from the current 117 hectares may grow by more than 200 hectares next year, and exceed 900 hectares within three years. Such a forecast was provided to Kommersant by Roskachestvo, which, among other things, certifies organic products. They clarified that 200 hectares is the area of ​​farms already operating on the principles of “organic” that have applied for certification. About 500 more hectares of vineyards are at the stage of transition to such a status, it is also planned to plant 100-150 hectares of young organic vineyards, mainly in the Crimea.

Organic viticulture primarily requires the abandonment of the use of pesticides and herbicides. Now this status has the Crimean SPK “Terroir” Pavel Shvets. In August, Chorgun KFH (brand Aya Organic Wine), which is part of the M2 Farm, a project co-owners of the Major holding, received a certificate. In M2, “Kommersant” did not answer.

Director of the department for research and promotion of wine products of Roskachestvo Olesya Bunyaeva adds that the Burnier winery applied for organic status. The organization also sees the potential of organic viticulture in the south of the Kuban, in the Gelendzhik region, in the region of the Caucasian Mineral Waters and in the right-bank part of the Don Valley. Roskachestvo did not name other interested wineries.

Alexander Stavtsev, head of the WineRetail information center, says that an organic certificate first of all allows winemakers to get added value and attract a new audience. In Russia, there are some buyers who are willing to pay extra for such wine, he points out. So, organic wine of Pavel Shvets is sold at retail for 3-4 thousand rubles. for a bottle. According to Mr. Stavtsev, the cost will decrease as the number of producers grows, but in any case, the price of such a bottle of wine is unlikely to be lower than 1,000 rubles. for 0.75 l.

Kommersant’s interlocutor in the industry notes that Russia is discussing strengthening control over the sale of organic products, primarily imported ones, without national certificates, so for local winemakers, entering this segment may be a timely way to secure shelf space. In July, the Federation Council recommended retail chains refrain from turning on in the product range with the word “organic” without a Russian certificate.

Ladoga Development Director Dmitry Isachenkov says that the demand for products labeled “organic”, etc. is growing, and separate shelves and sections are allocated for such wine in wine lists. However, for the time being, mainly small and medium-sized wineries are leaning towards the segment, while it seems risky to the large one, the expert clarifies. Organic certification, rather, gives a marketing advantage when choosing wine, although such wines already occupy more than a third of the world market, and Russian producers are moving in this direction, adds Andrey Ushakov, Marketing Director of Luding Group.

Fanagoria General Director Petr Romanishin says that the company is considering the development of an organic direction on the allocated 10 hectares. However, he admits, the organic label is needed for a small part of consumers. In “Kuban-Vine” they say that with large areas, the development of organic vineyards is impossible. The Abrau-Durso Group of Companies is not yet considering this direction of winemaking.

According to Alexander Stavtsev, the organic method of production carries the risks of reducing the yield, in some cases quite painful, and, as a result, increasing the cost of wine. Also, they add in Roskachestvo, there are difficulties with the availability of organic planting material due to the lack of certified vineyards in the Russian Federation.

Anatoly Kostyrev