Few cities in Eastern Europe have changed as rapidly and as noticeably as Kyiv. Along with emerging contemporary cuisine, specialty coffee, and craft spirits, the city has developed a distinctive wine culture shaped by the revival of Ukrainian winemaking over the past decade. Kyiv is now the easiest and most diverse place to explore the country’s wines in one trip — without traveling through all its regions.
This guide highlights where to try Ukrainian wine in the capital: bars focused exclusively on domestic producers, restaurants with curated selections, and venues offering tastings and educational events.
Why Kyiv Is the Best Starting Point for Discovering Ukrainian Wine
Although vineyards are concentrated mainly in Odesa region (especially in Bessarabia), Zakarpattia (Transcarpatia), and the Central parts of Ukraine, the majority of producers now showcase their wines in Kyiv. Logistics, tourism growth, and the rising interest in local products have turned the city into the main “tasting hub” of Ukrainian wine.
Kyiv offers:
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wide selection from small and medium family wineries;
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access to limited editions not found in supermarkets;
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opportunities to meet winemakers at events;
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English-friendly wine tastings increasingly available;
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modern bars with a focus on natural, pét-nat, and terroir-driven wines;
- wine festivals, wine exhibitions, and other events.
Where to Try Ukrainian Wine — Top Spots for 2026
All places listed are open to the public, regularly active, and noted for Ukrainian wine programs
1. Uwines Bar — top choice focusing on Ukrainian wines in Kyiv (Center)
📍 Hetmana Pavla Skoropadskoho St, 5 (city center, near metro Ploscha Ukrainskyh Heroiv)
Uwines Bar focuses solely on Ukrainian wines and serves both classics and experimental styles — pét-nat, amphora wines, orange wines, and limited micro-vinifications. The venue also operates as a wine shop, which makes it convenient to taste and buy bottles for travel. Regular thematic tastings introduce wines by region, grape variety, or style.
You can also eat here — craft Ukrainian cheeses and meats, pâté and local forshmak, pizza and several regional dishes. The space where the bar now operates once housed one of the first pizzerias in Kyiv, Lola Pizza, in the late 1990s. The presence of wood-fired pizza on today’s menu is a continuation of that part of Kyiv’s history.
“My introduction to high-quality Ukrainian wine happened in the summer of 2014, when I tasted “Oksamyt Ukrainy” from Prince Trubetskoi Winery — a historic estate founded in the 19th century. In 2022, it was occupied, looted and destroyed by Russian forces. That moment, however, back in 2014, made me realize that something in this sector had changed. It was a signal worth paying attention to.
When I began actively developing Ukrainian winemaking in the autumn of 2014, the market looked completely different. Ukrainians rarely drank local wines — the perception was still shaped by the Soviet era, when volume mattered more than quality. Over the years, demand for Ukrainian products grew, and a new generation of winemakers emerged — people with a broader vision for this industry, ready to invest tens of millions of euros without state subsidies or international funds, simply because they believed that this land could produce unique wines.
To the already established wine regions of the South and Zakarpattia, new areas began to appear on the map — Podillia, the North, and the West of the country. These territories, previously not regarded as wine regions, offered distinct soils and geological formations: limestone, slate, various types of clay, sandy soils, and mineral-rich structures. More winemakers started cultivating local and indigenous grape varieties, looking not only for land, but for terroir — for identity and potential that could lead to wines of the highest quality.
Today, I know most Ukrainian winemakers personally — a little more than one hundred by the end of 2025. Years of involvement have built a reputation that allows me to curate unique wines — bottles that are difficult to find in supermarkets or even specialized shops. Some of them are available exclusively at Uwines Bar. I focus on diversity of styles, local grapes, distinctive terroirs, and simply good wines that you can confidently present as a gift to someone important.
Uwines Bar was the first to showcase Malbec and Shiraz from the Kyiv region made by Hryhorii Kulinichenko, natural wines by Adama Wines, Bukkero by Vino Demidi, the 2018 Muscat dessert wine by Villa Tinta, pét-nats by Father’s Wine, and many others that reflect the new face of Ukrainian winemaking”.
— Sergiy Klimov
Ambassador of Ukrainian wines since 2014
Winemaker, author of the book “Wines of Ukraine. The Untold Story”
Founder of Kyiv Food and Wine Festival
Owner of Uwines Group (Uwines Bar, Uwines Awards, Uwines Ambassadors, Uwines Consulting, Uwines Travel).
Win Bar (Podil)
📍 Khoryva St, 16/7
Known for rotating selections of Ukrainian producers alongside European wines, Win Bar is a relaxed setting for trying different styles by the glass. Their lists often feature lesser-known grapes cultivated in Ukraine, such as Sukholimanske, Citronnyi Magaracha, or Telti-Kuruk.
100 Rokiv Tomu Vpered (100 Years Ahead) – Zoloti Vorota
📍 Volodymyrska St, 4
A modern Ukrainian restaurant recognized for its creative reinterpretation of traditional dishes. The wine list places emphasis on pairing local cuisine with Ukrainian indigenous and international varieties grown in the south and west of the country.
How to Taste Ukrainian Wines in Kyiv — Practical Tips for 2026
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Reservation: on weekends, bookings are recommended in popular bars and restaurants.
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Language: many venues provide English-language menus, as usual, through QR codes (Expirenza, Choice); staff often speak English, especially in central districts.
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Pairings: Ukrainian wine pairs well with national products — goat cheese, forshmak, different types of meat, etc.
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Buying to take home: standard 0.75 L bottles are allowed in checked luggage; carry-on restrictions apply under aviation liquid rules (100 ml).
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Transporting wine: Wrapping bottles inside clothing or using bottle sleeves is common; wine shops sometimes provide protective packaging.
Types of Ukrainian Wine You Should Try
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Odesa Black (Alibernet) — expressive red variety native to Ukraine (must try: Vinoman, Kolonist, Villa Tinta, Gigi, Big Wines).
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Saperavi — Ukrainian interpretation — structured, dark, Georgian-origin but widely cultivated (Gigi, Shabo, Chateau Pinot).
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Citronnyi Magaracha — aromatic white with citrus and floral notes (Zelenytsy Family Winery).
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Telti-Kuruk — indigenous white grape from Southern Ukraine, known for a clean, refreshing profile with subtle floral notes and light salinity linked to Black Sea terroir (Shabo, Beykush, Big Wines).
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Pét-Nat — rising trend among small wineries (Father’s Wine, Kulinichenko Winery, Kohanovska Winery, Steppe Wines).
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Orange / skin-contact — strong presence among experimental producers (Chateau Chizay, Gigi, Beykush, Chateau Pinot, Father’s Wine).
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Traditional method sparkling — still limited but growing; mostly in southern regions (Bisser by Kolonist, Shabo Grand Reserve).
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When Is the Best Time to Experience Wine Culture in Kyiv
The most active periods for wine events are:
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Spring (April–June) — tastings and seasonal releases
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Early Autumn (September–October) — harvest-related events
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Periodic wine festivals (the main one in Kyiv is Kyiv Food and Wine Festival, twice a year) and pop-ups hosted by bars and cultural venues
Kyiv’s wine scene continues to develop and diversify, making each season a slightly different experience.
FAQ: Trying Ukrainian Wine in Kyiv
Is Ukrainian wine good?
Yes. Over the last decade Ukrainian winemaking has developed rapidly, with new regions, modern techniques, native grapes and high-quality small producers gaining recognition among sommeliers and travelers.
Where can I try Ukrainian wine in Kyiv?
The main places are wine-focused bars and restaurants such as Uwines Bar, Win Bar and 100 Rokiv Tomu Vpered, as well as seasonal wine festivals such as Kyiv Food and Wine Festival and pop-up tastings.
Can I take Ukrainian wine home on the plane?
Yes. Wine is allowed in checked luggage in standard 0.75 L bottles. Carry-on liquids are limited to 100 ml according to airline rules. But currently, there is only a land connection from Ukraine, so this is relevant for the nearest airport in European cities.
Which Ukrainian wines should I try first?
Start with native varieties like Odesa Black, Telti-Kuruk and Citronnyi Magaracha. Many visitors also enjoy Ukrainian pét-nat, orange wines and traditional method sparkling.
Is wine tasting available in English in Kyiv?
Yes. Many venues in central Kyiv provide English-friendly tastings, menus and staff — especially bars focused on local wine culture, like Uwines bar.
What makes Ukrainian wine different from other European wines?
Unique climate contrasts, Black Sea influence, and indigenous grapes create styles not found elsewhere. Regions like Odesa, Zakarpattia, Podillia and the Kyiv area each offer different terroirs.
When is the best time to experience wine events in Kyiv?
Spring and early autumn are the most active seasons, with releases, festivals and tastings. Kyiv Food and Wine Festival takes place twice a year.
Final Thoughts
Trying Ukrainian wine in Kyiv offers more than flavors — it is a way to understand the country’s resilience and creativity. For travelers seeking authentic experiences, discovering Ukraine through its wines has become one of the most rewarding routes.
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