The Luxury Wines of Eastern Europe-Croatia to Ukraine

In this class, we explore the wine regions long hidden under the long shadow of Russian imperialism. From Croatia—whose ancient grapes jump-started the California wine trade (bet you didn’t know that!)—to Hungary, once the toast of European royalty and now rising again into fame and fortune.

Then we turn to Georgia, the birthplace of wine itself, where 8,000 years of clay pots, wild yeast, and stubborn creativity fuel today’s natural-wine movement. And finally, we raise a glass to Ukraine—bold, unbroken, and still tending its vineyards even as war rages nearby.

These aren’t just wines; they’re acts of endurance and pride. Each bottle tells a story of revival, resilience, and the fierce joy of making something beautiful against the odds.