Terroir of the Steppe: The Story of the Autochthonous Odeskyi Chornyi
A story of the Zaporizhzhia steppe terroir, the autochthonous Odeskyi Chornyi grape and the art of oak ageing.
What makes the wines of Cossack Winery so distinctive? The answer lies in the land itself — in the steppe terroir of the Zaporizhzhia region, where a continental climate, winds from the Dnipro and mineral-rich soils forge the unique character of the grapes. A special place in the estate's collection belongs to Odeskyi Chornyi — an autochthonous Ukrainian variety bred for the steppe climate, able to withstand heat and drought while retaining a rich colour and a lively acidity. "This variety is our pride, because it was born of this land and tells its story better than any imported wine," explains winemaker Mykhailo Bochkovyi. The grapes are aged in oak barrels, where the wine slowly gains depth, a velvety texture and complex notes of spice and dried fruit. The estate also devotes particular care to fortified wines — from an oxidative sherry-style wine to the nutty Ratafia — continuing a long tradition of steppe winemaking. Each bottle becomes a bridge between the present and the heritage of the Cossack land, where viticulture flourished for centuries. Cossack Winery sees its mission in preserving autochthonous varieties and championing the Ukrainian steppe terroir, so that the world may recognise wines unlike any other.
