Ukrainian wine now available in Sweden

Tintulov Yuriy runs Villa Tinta together with his brother Kostiantyn Tintulov. Photo: Villa Tinta

25 years after the company was founded, Ukrainian wine producer Villa Tinta has the wind in its sails. With their premium wines, they have established themselves in several markets and now six of the wines are available on the Swedish market. Open Trade Gate Sweden has been part of the journey.

The Ukrainian family business Villa Tinta was founded in 1998. Today they focus on premium wines and have received the designation PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and have found their way into several markets. In Sweden, on the other hand, Ukrainian viticulture has been relatively unknown – but that may now change.

Market Orientation Mission – training and networking

In 2023, Villa Tinta was selected to participate in the Market Orientation Mission, which Open Trade Gate Sweden organises in collaboration with Ukrainian Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion (EEPO). The programme is part of the Swedish National Board of Trade’s support to developing countries and aims to bring exporters closer to the Swedish market. By combining e-learning with visits and networking in Sweden, the programme opens doors.

“It was a great opportunity to communicate with different wine importers. For our winery, it was great to come there to speak face to face. It gave us a chance to choose the best importer,” says the company’s commercial director Kostiantyn Tintulov, who runs Villa Tinta together with his brother.

A worthwhile visit

During the visit to Sweden, participation in Sthlm Food & Wine Expo was included along with a wine tasting with importers. The company also had the opportunity to meet representatives from Systembolaget, the state-owned company that has a monopoly on the sale of alcohol in Sweden. It gave insight into their work with sustainability and purchasing. And the visit was valuable, says Kostiantyn Tintulov: “First of all, the ability to access information about the Swedish market. How things are done in Sweden, about Systembolaget.”

During the trip’s many conversations about Ukrainian wines, the company experienced a interest in their products, and support for the country. “We were inspired that Swedish people are supporting Ukraine. One way is to buy our products.”

Goal achieved – and promising contacts

The company’s main objective with the trip was to reach an agreement with a Swedish importer, says Kostiantyn Tintulov. And it came about – an agreement has now been reached with an importer and six of Villa Tinta’s wines are available to order on Systembolaget’s website. They are not yet available in the stores, but the company hopes that they will be in the future.

“I hope that the first delivery will be good and that the Swedish people like our wines – so that we can make more deliveries,” says Kostiantyn Tintulov.

In the future, he hopes that many people will open their eyes to Ukrainian wines. During the exhibition, Villa Tinta met several newspapers and a sommelier school with whom they are still in contact:

“We are hoping to arrange a tasting with them. Maybe it will be an article and give more people the chance to get to know Ukrainian wines.”