Since the ancient times people living in the Crimea have been growing grapes. On a monument found in the Chersonese ruins (VI B.C) it is written: «The people honoured  with the monument Agaethiklus who multiplied the vineyards on this plain» 

Much later, in 1784, on prince G.A. Potyomkin’s initiative more than 20 thousand of vines of Tokay variety and four wine-makers were taken from Hungary to the Crimea. Comical but meaningful decree was published in 1803. It read as follows «… everybody who is guilty of negligence in reference to vineyards is to be punished corporally…»  Having recovered from the damages inflicted by the Crimean and the Great Patriotic Wars, viniculture began its fast development.

Today Koktebel distillery introduces the achievements of modern science and technology on its vineyards (total area being 2 200 hectares), such as the implementation of drip irrigation, old vineyards being replaced by new ones, poor soils being used for young plants. The reason for this is that it is only during 25 years that vines can yield grapes which are good enough to make quality wine. Mainly French vines are growing here. 

Striving for perfection Koktebel vine-growers transplant new technical varieties of grapes: for producing red dry wines (Cabernet, Merlot, Pinault, Saperavi), dessert wines (Pink Tramener, White Muscat, Bastardo Magarachskiy, Pino Grey) and brandy mistrelle (Shabash,Galan, Rkatsiteli and others). However, first they are tested, and those varieties, which are most suitable for the south-east areas of the Crimea, are chosen. One of the latest tendencies is to increase the  amount of plants on a segment of land. Now on 1 hectare there are 1700 vines of table wine varieties and  intense tall seedlings and 2 220  technical and low sorts. Wine-makers give the warmth of their soul to every bunch of grapes, to every centimeter of vineyard land which now contributes to the wealth and glory of the peninsula like a precious necklace.