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Kefesiya is an extremely rare and authentic autochthonous red grape variety originating from the Crimean Peninsula. These historically significant berries produce original, dark-colored, rich red wines smelling of dried plums, cherries, pomegranates, and oriental spices. It is an excellent discovery for collectors of historical, unusual, and expressive wines.
Read moreFor a long time, this variety was used only to produce fortified regional wines, but in modern winemaking, it also reveals itself as an excellent dry red.
If you manage to find a dry 100% Kefesiya wine, it will surprise you with velvety tannins, medium acidity, and a very deep, jam-like profile. The traditional role of this variety is in sweet, fortified, port-like liqueur wines, where Kefesiya is blended with other local Crimean varieties (e.g., Ekim Kara). Such wines stand out with notes of caramel, dark chocolate, and resin.
Dry Kefesiya wine pairs perfectly with hearty Eastern European and Caucasian gastronomy: lamb skewers, beef stews, and sharper cheeses. Fortified, sweet wines of this variety are perfect desserts, ideally pairing with dark chocolate, nut cakes, or long-aged blue mold cheese.
The name of the grape is directly linked to the historical past of the city of Feodosia (in Crimea). During the rule of the Genoese Republic, this port city was called Kaffa. It is believed that the grape originated in the surroundings of this city, which is why locals named it "Kefesiya"—originating from Kaffa.
Kefesiya is one of the few grape varieties that has only female-type flowers. In order to bear fruit, it cannot self-pollinate, so it must be planted in the vineyard alongside other hermaphroditic or male grape varieties. For this reason, finding a pure single-varietal wine is quite rare.
