“It was a nerve-wracking experience, but the result was worth it!” We’re here to report on the highlights of the 2024 season

Hennadiy Vachilya, Director of Viticulture at Chateau Chizay, shares:

“This season in Zakarpattia was both a challenge and a success. We experienced a warm but humid spring, leading to hazards of grape diseases. This was followed by an extremely hot summer, with temperatures reaching 40°C, and the start of autumn remained unusually warm, up to 35°C. As a result, most grape varieties achieved very high sugar levels, with other conditions, such as acidity, showing good results”.

Due to the heat, viticultural procedures were carried out at night, starting after sunset and finishing by dawn. The harvesting began 2-3 weeks earlier than usual due to the accumulated heat. “The rapid vegetation growth required intense care and mobilization of all available resources”, explains Hennadiy Vachilya.

Despite the challenges, the season was exciting, and the harvest quality was excellent, with many varieties showing potential for long-ageing wines. Vachilya predicts 2024 could be considered a vintage year for high-quality wines.

Hugo Gutman, founder and owner of Chateau Chizay, reported a significant reduction in harvest volume for 2024 compared to 2023:

“This season, we collected almost 25% less yield by volume than last year (1,050 tons versus 1,421 tons in 2023). However, the grape quality is exceptionally high. The weather allowed the grapes to ripen very well, with sugar levels being among the highest in recent years. I believe this season can be compared to the very successful 2017 and 2018, when we produced wines that are now considered collectible”.

The hot summer and warm autumn significantly influenced the timing of the harvest but also positively impacted the quality of the grapes.

“Czersegi and Blaufränkisch performed exceptionally well. We conducted an early harvesting for sparkling wines, and the conditions were excellent”, says Hugo Gutman.

“For the first time, we also carried out an early harvest of Pinot Noir, and it’s very promising. We’re keeping our plans for this wine under wraps for now and are eagerly awaiting the results”.

According to the owner of Chateau Chizay, this year Traminer Rosé performed exceptionally well, achieving a sugar level of 26%. The winery plans to use it for a new vintage of their signature dessert wine, “Trojanda Karpat”. Red varieties also showed great potential.

“The 2024 Pinot Noir is simply stunning”, shares Hugo Gutman. “During the harvest, some of the berries were already sun-dried, promising exceptionally high-quality wine with aging potential”.

For the Pinot Noir harvest, the winery’s entire office team joined in to assist the vinergrowers. The last variety harvested this season was Cabernet Sauvignon. Although rains delayed the process, particularly on the slopes of the Mala Hora area (where tractors couldn’t access the vineyards due to muddy conditions), the grapes were ultimately harvested at peak ripeness, showing excellent promise according to Hugo Gutman.

Beyond the climate-specific challenges of individual regions, there are broader issues affecting nearly all businesses in Ukraine, and winemaking is no exception. Among the most widespread challenges are the steep rise in costs for essential materials, such as fuel and vineyard care products, and a labor shortage. Despite these difficulties, Zakarpattia offers reasons for optimism.

“The season was a bit nerve-wracking, but the result was worth it. Quality Ukrainian wine from Zakarpattia is here to stay! Good things are ahead!” assures Hugo Gutman.

Photo: Serhii Hudak for Chateau Chizay