A new cultural and tourist destination is taking shape in Derbent muncicipal district of Dagestan, centered on the historic “Vorontsov Cellars” in the village of Gedzhukh. Dating back to the 1860s and originally commissioned by Count Vorontsov-Dashkevich, these 19th-century wine cellars are being revitalized as a visitor attraction that highlights the republic’s deep-rooted winemaking traditions. Abdulmuslim Abdulmuslimov, Chairman of the Government of Dagestan, announced the initiative in an interview with RIA Novosti.
The cellars are officially recognized as a cultural heritage site, having been included in the Unified State Register of Cultural Heritage Sites of the Russian Federation. The transformation of the site into a tourist complex is implemented by “Derbent Vino” LLC a leading enterprise in Dagestan’s viticulture industry.
Despite adverse weather conditions, including heavy rains in September 2025, the regional agricultural sector achieved modest growth: the republic harvested 302,100 tons of grapes, up from 301,000 tons in 2024, with 241,000 tons processed—an increase of 7,000 tons year-on-year. Additionally, plans are underway to plant at least 800 hectares of new vineyards in 2026, reinforcing Dagestan’s dual focus on agricultural expansion and the growth of heritage-based agro-tourism.
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