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History of Crimean Winemaking (KhEAR Period 1957–1960)

A little-known period in the history of Crimean winemaking, when in 1957–1960 the coordination center of its development was located in Kherson as part of the Kherson Economic Administrative Region (KhEAR). It was precisely then that, with republican funds of the Ukrainian SSR, the post-war decline of the industry was overcome and record vineyard areas were planted.

Overview

In the history of Crimean winemaking and viticulture there is a period little known to the general public when the coordination center of its development was located in Kherson — within the Kherson Economic Administrative Region (1957–1960). During these years the industrial enterprises of the Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Crimean oblasts were united into a single administrative region, and the industry was managed by the Kherson Council of the National Economy (sovnarkhoz).

Key Details / Subtopics

  • Creation of the KhEAR: in 1957 the industrial enterprises of the Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Crimean oblasts were merged into a single Kherson Economic Administrative Region. Across the entire USSR such regions were headed by councils of the national economy (sovnarkhozy), which performed the functions of the abolished branch ministries.
  • Budgetary rights of the UkrSSR and injections into the Crimean economy: at the same time, the budgetary rights of the republics were expanded, so the lion's share of Ukrainian money remained in the Ukrainian SSR. The Crimean Oblast, whose economy was in a catastrophic state, began to receive huge injections from the republican budget, including for the revival of the wine industry.
  • Subordination to the Kherson sovnarkhoz: under its jurisdiction were the farms of the "Massandra" wine-making combine, the Crimean Wine Trust, and the Simferopol liqueur and vodka factory.
  • Record vineyard plantings: during 1957–1960, 128 thousand hectares of vineyards were planted on the peninsula (more than in all the previous history of Crimea), and in 1960 the area reached 152.5 thousand hectares (9 times more compared to 1955).
  • Scientific refinement of the assortment: research was conducted to determine the optimal assortment of grape varieties depending on natural zoning; about 70 pure varieties were recommended for the Crimean Oblast. The planting of windbreak barriers and plantings of fruit, nut, almond, and dogwood species was also designed.
  • Preparation of "Zolota Balka" and the end of the period: preparations began for the creation of the Sevastopol wine-making combine "Zolota Balka", specializing in sparkling wines. From June 1, 1960, the peninsula's industry passed under the jurisdiction of the newly created Crimean sovnarkhoz. The positive effect of the sovnarkhozy's activity did not last long, yet it was precisely in this period that the post-war decline of the Crimean Oblast was overcome.
  • History of Crimean Winemaking — Publication about the "Kherson" period of Crimean winemaking (State Archive of the Kherson Oblast, fund R-3266).
  • Legends of Wines: Red Table Wine "Alushta" — Publication by Maksym Dubovyaz on the hypothesis of the grape's origin, the Golitsyn legend, and the wine "Alushta".
  • Wine "Alushta" (Red Table) — Legendary vintage dry table wine of Crimea.
  • Kherson — The city that in 1957–1960 was the coordination center of the Crimean wine industry (KhEAR).
  • Horticulture and Viticulture in Crimea — The program and history of the development of these industries on the peninsula after 1954.
  • Dzhankoy — near Dzhankoy in 1955 "Massandra" opened its branch.
  • Dzhimbalos — a Crimean dialect word denoting the autumn gathering of the remaining grapes in already harvested vineyards.
  • Lev Golitsyn — Prince-winemaker, founder of champagne production in Novyi Svit, builder of the "Massandra" cellars and of winemaking in Sonyachna Dolyna; his legacy became the foundation for the revival of the industry in the 20th century.
  • Crimean Science in the First Post-War Decade — The "Magarach" Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking as the leading branch scientific institution of post-war Crimea.

  • The State of Crimean Agriculture on the Eve of the Transfer to Ukraine (1953) — an article on the pre-war decline of viticulture that the wine industry was to revive after 1954.

  • Sonyachna Dolyna — a unique winemaking microregion and the homeland of the wines "Ekim Kara" ("Black Doctor") and "Chornyi Polkovnyk" ("Black Colonel").