Chateau Chizay #161
A dream turned winery
Founded in 1995 in the picturesque Chizay valley in Zakarpattia, the westernmost wine region of Ukraine, Chateau Chizay stands on land where grapes have been grown and wine made for nearly two thousand years.
Like many meaningful projects, this one began with a dream. Hugo Gutman, the owner of the winery, returned to his native Zakarpattia from the United States to make this dream come true. He created the first private winery in Ukraine, built from scratch, on a site that had been a winemaking estate since the 13th century.
“Establishing a winery was not an easy decision in those times, but it was also a great dream. Grapes and wine have always been part of life for the people of Zakarpattia. And my grandfather, Shandor Olbaum, taught me to love this land. Zakarpattia is a land of viticulture, perfect for this work, and most locals make wine at home.”
Since planting 272 hectares of its own vineyards in 2006, Chateau Chizay has gradually moved to producing wine exclusively from its own grapes.
Diversity and uniqueness
Today, the winery is a regional leader and one of Ukraine’s flagship producers, making around 1.2 million bottles annually. The portfolio includes still wines in various styles, including experimental releases, sparkling wines, aged wines, naturally sweet wines, and a collection of grape spirits –offering a full-cycle winemaking experience from juice to brandy. Chateau Chizay grows about 20 grape varieties, balancing international classics like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir with local gems such as Furmint, Cherségi, and Blaufränkisch, honoring the unique terroir of Zakarpattia.
Representing Ukraine through wine
Today, every word about Ukraine that reaches the world carries great importance. For a long time, Chateau Chizay has represented Ukraine as a country where hardworking and hospitable people live, who love their land, produce high-quality products, including excellent wines. The company calls this “wine diplomacy,” as winemaking is closely connected to culture and history, showing skill, development, and prospects.
Chateau Chizay wines are exported to 21 countries and regularly participate in global wine events such as ProWein, London Wine Fair, and events in Europe. The winery has won numerous awards, including medals at Decanter World Wine Awards, Mundus Vini, Paris Wine Cup, London Wine Competition, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, Mondial des Vins Blancs Strasbourg, IWSC, Japan Wine Challenge, Wine and Spirits Awards etc.
А legend revived
One of the ambassadors of Ukrainian winemaking at La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux is the sweet wine TroiandaKarpat.
Once a star of Ukrainian winemaking under the name Troianda Zakarpattia, its production was stopped in the 1990s. The winery revived this legend, planting Pink Traminer and restoring the authentic 1959 recipe. Today, TroiandaKarpat is one of Ukraine’s most awarded wines.
Vineyards – a source of strength and inspiration
The company’s vineyards in Mala Hora are among the most beautiful in Ukraine, forming a healthy ecosystem where wildlife thrives alongside the vines.
Attila Tovt, vine grower, describes: “Arriving in the morning, I plan the day with the team, tend the tractor, and watch roe deer run by or wild boar tracks in the soil. Pheasants take off among the vines… this is happiness. This is nature!” An image of a roe deer in the winter vineyards represents Ukraine in La Cité du Vin’s exhibition of the 50 most beautiful wine landscapes in the world.
A taste of Zakarpattia among the vineyards
Part of the Chateau Chizay “ecosystem” is also the restaurant Chizay. Mala Hora, which is considered one of the must-visit locations in Zakarpattia. It is the first restaurant in Ukraine located among vineyards, offering a special atmosphere and presenting both classic European cuisine and traditional dishes of Zakarpattia. The meals are prepared with farm ingredients carefully grown nearby. A small boutique hotel is also part of the Chateau Chizay experience. Here guests can slow down, enjoy the quiet of the vineyards, and fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Zakarpattia’s wine country.
More than wine: tourism, education, culture
Having become a recognized winery in Ukraine, the company demonstrates that sometimes winemaking is about more than just wine. Chateau Chizay is a popular tourist destination and a true magnet for visitors to the region. In 2025, around 18,000 guests attended tours and tastings. The company actively works to develop tourism in Zakarpattia and promoting wine culture.
In 2019, the Chiz winemaker museum opened, offering an interactive journey through the history and culture of winemaking in Zakarpattia, Ukraine, Europe, and beyond.
Chateau Chizay Academy runs educational seminars for tourism and hospitality professionals and students of viticulture and winemaking.
Among Chateau Chizay’s initiatives are a wide range of activities related to vineyards and wine. In 2019, the first Wine Run in Ukraine took place, with a route through the vineyards. An eco-friendly vineyard trail has been created, and activities such as yoga tours, art picnics, and more are organized. The goal is to combine active experiences with the enjoyment of vineyard landscapes. The vineyards are a place where the forces of nature and human labor come together in harmony.
The winery implements ecological practices in all its operations, from the vineyards to production and office work. It is the first and only winery in Ukraine participating in the Porto Protocol, an initiative uniting environmentally responsible wineries worldwide. Among the company’s goals is to continuously improve its sustainable development practices.
Of course, the ongoing war in Ukraine poses challenges, but the company continues to grow and sees its mission as the revival of regional winemaking, the promotion of wine culture, and placing Ukraine firmly on the global wine map.
Reviews
Let me tell you about my ‘first love’ – a barrel-aged dry white from the Furmint grape. The last time I tasted it was Furmint 2023, aged in oak for 9 months. This wine traditionally delights with its gentle, complex, and deep aromatics, and very elegant oak work. On the nose, aromas of almonds, ripe peach, white honey flowers, and dried fruits are pleasing. On the palate, it has excellent structure, balanced acidity, and a pleasant, long finish with a hint of vanilla and mineral notes. I have gifted this wine several times to international connoisseurs, always receiving very positive feedback, including from Hungarians for whom Furmint is one of their signature national varieties.
Carpathian Sekt Blaufrankisch is an absolute exclusive, as no one in Ukraine produces Blaufrankisch wine, let alone sparkling rosé. Local is a trend – something interesting, worth tasting. The first thing that catches attention is how the wine communicates through its color, which reflects the delicacy of young wine. The rosé combines red fruit aromas with the freshness of white. When a sparkling rosé is well-made, it truly captivates – and here we have exactly that, plus the brut category, which is especially successful for the warm season.
Zakarpattia is actively developing wine tourism, which is very promising! We expect the number of visitors to grow, and we are glad that guests can enjoy high-quality tourism services. Visiting Chateau Chizay is an educational tourism experience. Even those who do not consume alcohol will find it interesting to learn about the history and culture of local winemaking, see modern technologies, and admire the magnificent vineyards. In addition to wine tasting, there is a meaningful tour that includes a visit to the unique Chiz Winemaker Museum, which tells the story of viticulture and winemaking both in the region and across Europe. And, of course, it is a very pleasant way to spend time in Zakarpattia!