The tight pop of a wine cork, playful bubbles rising like office workers on a weekend, vineyards like from Peter Mail novels, cool old cellars and a champagne breakfast overlooking the turquoise surface of the lake. We tell you how to arrange a wine vacation in Abrau Durso.
Content
- Abrau-Durso: what you need to know
- Why go
- How to get there
- When to arrive
- Where to stay
- What to see and do
Abrau-Durso: what you need to know
Abrau-Durso is a village in the Krasnodar Territory, a resort, a turquoise lake, a winery and a wine tourism center. Some hear the hissing of sparkling wine bubbles in its name, others recall a ski trip on the water surface, and others recall rows of vineyards stretching to the horizon in the rays of the setting sun. Sailing on a yacht, sunbathing on the beach, exploring century—old wine cellars, tasting sparkling wine or walking along picturesque paths – everyone will find something to their liking in this place.
Note to connoisseurs: grapes have been grown here since the 1870s, sparkling wine began to be produced a little later, so they know a lot about winemaking (and, of course, wine drinking). To make sure of this, go on a tasting tour (18+).
Abrau-Durso is a village in the Krasnodar Territory, a resort, turquoise lake, a winery and a wine tourism center. Photo: WR studio/Shutterstock.com
Why go
- Visit the Abrau-Durso winery: look into the cellars and tunnels, see huge barrels and many dust-covered bottles, learn more about the manufacturing process and taste local wines and stronger drinks.
- Arrange a picnic, a romantic date or a photo shoot in Provence style in the vineyards.
- Go on a simple hiking trip with wonderful views: the resort has 15 routes ranging from 4 to 15 km.
- See the fountain show right in the water area of Lake Abrau. This kind of entertainment is only available in summer.
- Take a horse ride around the resort.
- During the warmer months, relax by the water: swim, sunbathe, ski and sail.
Extending your vacation in the south
We have collected more vacation ideas in the vicinity of Novorossiysk in this article: read about dolmens, mountains and, of course, vineyards.
How to get there
By plane
While Gelendzhik Airport is still closed, Sochi Airport remains the nearest airport. At the time of writing, in March 2025, the cost of tickets from Moscow for the coming weeks varies from 3,670 to 7,300 rubles one way. Travel time is 3.5 hours.
The remaining 330 km to the resort can be reached by bus.: first, get to Novorossiysk, then take a minibus to the resort. The cost of a bus ticket starts from 2,300 rubles. Keep in mind that the path runs along a serpentine, the travel time is at least 6 hours.
While Gelendzhik Airport is still closed, Sochi Airport remains the nearest airport. Photo: Airfow1/Shutterstock.com
By train
The main landmark here is Novorossiysk, which is located 20 km from Abrau-Durso. The branded train will take you from Moscow to Novorossiysk in a little less than a day, and the ticket price starts from 7,400 rubles. There are cheaper but slower trains. It is convenient to get to the resort by taxi or minibus No. 102.
By car
An option for those who not only feel good about almost a day on the road, but also about their efforts. The distance from Moscow to Abrau-Durso is 1,510 km, which is a minimum of 18 hours driving, plus traffic jams, unpredictability of other road users, and other components of the harsh Russian road trip.
- 6 ideas where to go to the seaside by car
When to arrive
The high season in Abrau Durso is tied to the warm season, when you can comfortably walk along the trails, engage in outdoor activities on the water, sunbathe and arrange photogenic picnics in the vineyards. However, tourists come for tours of the ancient cellars and tastings all year round, and in winter there are significantly fewer guests: from December to February they come here in search of solitude.
The chance of getting into a crowd is even lower in the off-season, but keep in mind that the weather can be rainy and dank. However, excursions and gatherings by the fireplace with a glass are not a hindrance to others. Outside of the high season, the resort also organizes interesting events, such as Carnival celebrations, so you won’t be left without entertainment.
It is convenient to visit the resort during a trip to the Krasnodar Territory: to diversify a beach holiday in Sochi or Anapa, or to arrange a romantic weekend.
- 10 picturesque places of Krasnodar Krai
The high season in Abrau Durso is tied to the warm season, when you can comfortably walk along the trails. Photo: Zyryane/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay
Boutique Hotel Imperial & Champagne-spa
Guest House Chalet De Cuvée
Recreation center “Manor Round Lake”
Both ours and yours — this recreation center is located between the resort and the sea. Shuttles take tourists in both directions, but you can also relax on the territory: steam in the sauna or swim in the pool, walk along the hiking trail, roast meat on the grill, chat with cute raccoons or go horseback riding.
Recreation center “Manor Round Lake”.
Mini-hotel Villa Natali Abrau
Mini-hotel Ivanhoe
If you dream of briefly entering the era of knights, you are here. The hotel has a lot of paraphernalia from the time of glittering blades and horsemen chained up to their eyes: sculptures,shields, powerful arches and towers. The village center can be reached in 5 minutes by car.
Ivanhoe Mini-hotel.
What to see and do
Go on a guided tour of the winery
The main attraction for wine tourism is, of course, the historical complex of the Abrau-Durso Russian wine house. The founding date of the winery on the shores of Lake Abrau is considered to be 1870. Prince Lev Golitsyn, the founder of Russian winemaking and at the same time a passionate lover of it, managed the affairs here.
People come to the winery to take a tour of the cellars, get acquainted with the nuances of local production and learn the mysterious words cuvee, remuage and degorge. The most interesting thing is the historical cellars and tunnels with dusty bottles, where wine ripens in semi—darkness and silence. The arched vaults, the dust on the bottles — atmospheric, you can’t say anything.
The main attraction point for wine tourism is, of course, the historical complex of the Abrau—Durso Russian wine house. Photo: Grigorii Pisotsckii/Shutterstock.com
With a tasting. There are many tour options: guests are offered sparkling and quiet (that is, less prone to bubble formation) wines, as well as stronger drinks. Light snacks are included in the price. After that, the guests move to the company store — if desired, you can immediately buy everything you like.
No alcohol. Guided tours without tasting are provided for inquisitive fans of a healthy lifestyle. And especially for children, an interactive “Journey to the Abrau-Durso fairy tale” is held with a tasting of the Abrau Junior soft drink.
The cost of excursions:for adults — from 1,500 to 2,000 rubles. You can go on a guided tour with children without tasting, especially since minors will not be allowed in the tasting room.
Have a picnic, date, or photo shoot in a vineyard
Just like in Provence: rows of vineyards basking in the sun to the horizon, a picnic basket, fresh strawberries, fragrant cheese, and a bottle of sparkling wine that coquettishly hides behind tall glasses. Romance, that’s all! You can order a photo shoot in proven locations on the resort’s website: the cost varies from 12,000 to 25,000 rubles.
Another option is to explore the area on your own. The result will be less predictable, but the process is likely to be more exciting. Just in case, catch one of the available viewing points.
It’s just like in Provence: rows of vineyards bask in the rays of the sun to the horizon. Photo: Lilkin/Shutterstock.com
Have fun at the festival
There are a lot of festivals at the resort, and on a wide variety of topics. Yoga, running, music, street cinema, dogs — everything mixed up in the Oblonskys’ house in the hospitable south. The 2025 season already features the Grape Water race, the Balance Yoga festival, the Dog Picnic national dog show, the Abrau Junior summer festival and open-air film screenings.
Themed activities are usually accompanied by food courts with local gastronomy and beverage tastings from wineries and private farms.
There are a lot of festivals in the resort, and on a wide variety of topics. Photo: Mike Shooter/Shutterstock.com
Go for a walk along the tracking routes
The resort has not remained aloof from the fashionable activity of our time: 15 routes ranging from 4 to 15 kilometers have been laid and marked here. Everyone can find a path for themselves: young and fast, couples with young children and those who like to walk slowly but beautifully.
Along the way, you can not only admire the scenery and breathe in the clean air, but also arrange a picnic in a beautiful place or a photo shoot on the observation deck against the background of the lake. For example, the 4.3 km long Path to the Vineyard’s House passes through vineyards overlooking the lake, while the 8.7 km Path to the Manor leads to the ridge and allows you to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the resort.
Along the way, you can not only admire the scenery and breathe in the clean air, but also arrange a picnic in a beautiful place or a photo shoot on the observation deck against the background of the lake. Photo: Lilkin/Shutterstock.com
For those who can’t stop
Fans of hiking and forest trails are gently reminded of our themed collections.:
- Trekking for beginners: hiking routes in Russia for the summer
- 8 hiking routes in Russia
Watch the fountain show
The show is available only in summer, and this is a good argument to visit Abrau in the warmer months, because the largest singing fountain in Russia is installed in the lake area. Water jets rise up to 70 meters, accompanied by music, fire cannons and a laser show. And on the canvas, a visual series is broadcast from the spray.
The largest singing fountain in Russia is installed in the water area of the lake. Photo: ROMAN DZIUBALO/Shutterstock.com
Horseback riding
In what reality can you imagine a family ride on well-groomed horses around a picturesque lake? England, pure England! Imagine: the neat building of the equestrian club, good-natured animals, fragrant hay, a piece of sugar in the palm of your hand.
In Abrau-Durso, you can take horse riding lessons, go on an exciting tour of the stable, arrange a photo shoot or go horseback riding accompanied by an instructor.
Oh life, you are beautiful! Especially when the sun is shining, sparkling wine is in the glass, and plans include a walk through the vineyards and relaxing by the lake. We raise a toast to the happiness that has come true and see you in Abrau-Durso!
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Cover photo: Safin Azamat/Shutterstock.com
