Learning in the vineyard: Chateau Chizay Academy hosts harvest with students and visitors

Olesia Spitsyna, Commercial Director of the winery, shares:

“We established the Academy in 2018 to promote education, develop wine culture, and support Ukrainian winemaking. We have held seminars for winemakers, growers, and professionals in tourism and hospitality, as Zakarpattia is an important travel destination.

This year, for the first time, we invited students to take part in a harvest-season workshop. We want to show how everything works in real business conditions. Our goal is for them to experience winemaking with their own hands.

We are harvesting Pinot Noir The harvest was combined with an educational program for students of профильних спеціальностей from Zakarpattia universities, as part of the Chateau Chizay Academy initiative. At the same time, tourists were given a rare opportunity to experience the work of vineyard professionals firsthand.

Participants included students specializing in horticulture and viticulture from Uzhhorod National University and Svaliava Technical College of the National University of Food Technologies.

In addition to the practical harvesting session, company experts – technologist and Head of Laboratory Inha Lebid and Viticulture Director Hennadii Vachylia – conducted two educational modules on viticulture and winemaking, focusing on topics such as determining grape maturity and vineyard management. a demanding variety that produces outstanding wines. Our specialists confirm that this year’s grapes have excellent quality and strong aging potential.”

Hennadii Vachylia adds:

“We have the knowledge and experience and are ready to share it. Our common goal is to develop Zakarpattia’s winemaking and contribute to the growth of the Ukrainian wine industry as a whole.

We wanted to demonstrate clearly how and when to harvest grapes, what quality parameters to look for, and how it works in real production. It was a great day – we harvested a lot, had meaningful discussions, and we thank everyone for their interest.”

Vitalii Symochko, Head of the Department at Uzhhorod National University, notes:

“The exchange of experience between academia and industry is extremely valuable. Universities provide theoretical knowledge and some practical skills, but it is in real conditions like these that students truly understand their profession and future path.

Seeing the scale of a leading winery, its vineyards, varieties, and full production cycle is incredibly important. As is communication with professionals working here. This is a great opportunity.”

Inna Dobonii, lecturer at Svaliava Technical College, shares:

“This is a very useful initiative because theory without practice is not enough. Our students gain real skills here. We have a small production facility at the college, but it is impossible to fully understand winemaking without knowing how grapes are grown, pruned, nourished, and harvested.

Viticulture and winemaking are inseparable – the quality of wine always starts with the quality of grapes. We gladly accepted the invitation and are very happy to be here.”

Among the participants was Ivan Lohvinov, a 45-year-old veteran and second-year student at Uzhhorod National University. He has been serving since 2014 and returned to the army after the full-scale invasion. After completing his service, he decided to pursue a new path.

“How did I become a student of viticulture and horticulture? It’s because of the war. During the full-scale invasion, after air raids and heavy fighting, I told my wife: if I survive, I will work on my own land, with my own hands, as our ancestors did. It’s probably in our Ukrainian nature – to cultivate the land and appreciate its fruits. And Zakarpattia is a perfect place for that.

While serving, I became interested in growing kiwi, thanks to a fellow soldier. After returning, I realized I needed knowledge, so I enrolled at the university. I’ve already started developing my own plot.

I also grow some grapes and make small batches of wine for family and friends. I truly enjoy it and hope to improve every year.

This seminar was very valuable. Hearing about the scale of Chateau Chizay is one thing, but seeing these endless vineyard rows on the hills is impressive. It gives you a real sense of the work behind it.

It was also great that we not only harvested grapes but also learned about planting, soil management, vineyard care, timing of harvest, and how grapes turn into wine. A very insightful experience.”

Maksym Moskal, a student at Uzhhorod National University, shared two dreams: to establish his own winery and to see Ukrainian wines one day stand alongside the world’s finest, competing with France and Italy.

“What impressed me the most is the scale – it’s fascinating to see it with your own eyes. I learned about new grape varieties, pruning techniques, vine protection, wine styles, and saw the production facilities. Viticulture and winemaking are complex fields that require responsibility and dedication. And harvesting grapes is not easy at all. But it feels like today I both learned a lot and did a good job working with the harvest,” he says.

Tourists – guests of Zakarpattia – also took part in the harvest.

Viktoriia Shtangei moved to Zakarpattia from Kharkiv with her husband three years ago, seeking safety from constant shelling. Participating in a grape harvest had long been her dream:

“Winemaking is such a complex science – even an art. We learned a lot: about sugar levels and acidity in grapes, varieties, and more. Here in Zakarpattia, in the cozy town of Berehove, we feel very comfortable – especially coming from a big city. And the landscapes of the Mala Hora vineyard are simply beautiful.

Before, when buying wine in a supermarket, we didn’t really pay attention to Ukrainian wines. Now, after seeing everything here and how much care and dedication people put into their work, we will definitely choose local, quality wines.”

Pavlo Roiko, a visitor from Lviv, shares:

“This is my first grape harvest – a completely new experience. I’ve always wanted to be involved in winemaking, and now I’ve had this opportunity. I even got a new tool – a grape knife – and learned how to harvest with it.

It’s exciting on the one hand, but at the same time you realize how hard this work is and how much effort goes into both harvesting these beautiful grapes and turning them into wine.

Now I will treat Ukrainian wines with even more respect – although I already choose them quite often. And of course, I’ll be very curious to taste the wine I helped create!”

Together with the winery team, students and tourists harvested 2.8 tonnes of selected Pinot Noir grapes, which will be used to produce a premium aged wine.

The harvest season continues – and so does the educational project of Chateau Chizay Academy. Because in viticulture and winemaking, there is always more to discover.