house-museum of Duke Golitsyn

The house-museum of Duke Golitsyn is located on a hill above the village of Novy Svet. It houses the Museum of the History of Winemaking, which is dedicated to the production of sparkling wines in the Crimea. Duke Lev Golitsyn founded a Champagne Winery in 1878, and made the first sparkling wine in 1882. 

The Novy Svet Champagne Winery became the second in the Russian Empire, where sparkling wine was made using the traditional champagne aging technology in tunnels.  The first sparkling wine Winery was established in 1870 in Abrau-Durso in the Kuban. However, by the end of the 19th century, Golitsyn had achieved great mastery in the art of winemaking. He released the Coronation wine, which was served at the coronation ceremony of Emperor Nicholas II in 1896. At the same time, he earned the title of "supplier of the Court of His Imperial Majesty."  

A small village near Sudak, where Duke Golitsyn started winemaking in the 19th century, was called Paradise. It was a tiny fishing village of several houses on the seashore. Golitsyn built his estate on the upper part of the slope, 450 meters from the seashore.

In 1879, Duke Golitsyn built a huge house, which was called "Towers". In its style, it resembled a medieval fortress, similar to the Genoese fortress, which towers over Sudak. At first, Golitsyn`s family and employees of the champagne Winery lived in it. In 1880, Golitsyn built a "Big House" next to the Towers. This house was more comfortable, so the duke`s family moved into it. The Winery staff and the duke`s guests continued to live in the Towers. 

In the Golitsyn House-museum you can see the history of his champagne from the first brand Paradise, to the most famous brands Cuvee, Novy Svet, Coronation, Pinot-Fran. Of great interest is the exposition dedicated to the selection of various grape varieties that Duke Golitsyn grew in the Crimea. Golitsyn planted the first vineyards near his house, next to a Juniper grove. Subsequently, he began to look for places for vineyards in the valleys and on the southern slopes of the mountains throughout the Crimea. 

The Golitsyn House Museum is open to the public. It is best to visit the museum`s exposition with an excursion. After that, you can taste various wines that are made at the Novy Svet Champagne Winery.