Samarkand, a city steeped in history, offers not only architectural marvels but also cultural treasures, among which the Museum of Winemaking stands out. This museum is intimately linked to the venerable Khovrenko Winery, with a lineage stretching back over 150 years.
The influx of the Russian Empire into Central Asia brought with it a wave of traders and entrepreneurs eager to tap into the region’s wealth. Samarkand, in particular, was renowned for its grape cultivation, boasting varieties with a remarkable sugar content of 25 percent, significantly higher than the global average of 16 percent. It was here that the Russian vintner and entrepreneur D.M. Filatov established Uzbekistan’s inaugural winery. Over a 15-year tenure, Filatov elevated his enterprise to international acclaim, culminating in the «Biishty» wine variety—meaning «Edenic»—garnering a gold medal at a prestigious Parisian wine and brandy exhibition, drawing connoisseurs from across the globe to Samarkand.
The rise of the Soviet regime saw Filatov displaced from his winery, yet he managed to secrete away a selection of his finest wines. These lay dormant for decades, only to be rediscovered during the winery’s renovation. M.A. Khovrenko, a gifted winemaker, succeeded Filatov as the winery’s overseer. He introduced new grape varietals and instituted a wine classification system, significantly advancing Uzbekistan’s viticulture industry.
The Khovrenko Winery persists today, producing an array of wines, brandies, and vodkas. Its cellars are a repository for new wine collections destined for extended maturation, and the most exceptional vintages of Samarkand wines are auctioned to discerning buyers. The winery also boasts a captivating wine museum that educates visitors on its storied past and the broader narrative of Samarkand’s winemaking, its international accolades, and naturally, offers tastings of the region’s exquisite wines.
In a nod to its continued excellence, the Samarkand Winery was a participant in the «Best Product — 2014» tasting competition, part of the 21st International Exhibition for food, beverages, and food raw materials «Prodexpo-2014» in Moscow. The winery’s products were lauded with gold and silver medals, with the «Samarkand» Balm receiving gold, and both the «Samarkand» Vintage Cognac and «Gula — kandoz» Vintage Wine securing silver, a testament to the enduring legacy and quality of Samarkand’s viticultural heritage.
Tours in Uzbekistan
