On December 17, 2024, in Washington, SHABO, one of the flagships of Ukrainian winemaking, began a partnership with SPYRT Worldwide (USA) — an initiative that has been developing for over two years.
This is a carefully thought-out strategy that opens a new chapter for Ukrainian wine on the world map.
SPYRT Worldwide is an American company founded by two American and one Ukrainian veteran. Their mission is to introduce the American consumer to a Ukrainian product — specifically SHABO wine, which embodies several qualities: tradition, courage, and the talent of winemakers who, despite the war, continue to work in Ukrainian Bessarabia. At the core of SPYRT’s philosophy are justice, excellence, and unity.
The partnership between SHABO and SPYRT has a clear humanitarian component. A portion of the profits from the sale of Ukrainian wines in the U.S. will be directed to support Invictus Global Response — a nonprofit organization focused on demining Ukrainian territories. This initiative is also led by veterans.
“One of the key initiatives of the partnership is allocating part of the profits to support Invictus Global Response — a veteran-led nonprofit organization engaged in demining. This contribution will help carry out the humanitarian mission of clearing mines from Ukrainian lands,” SHABO describes the partnership.
This is an example of how wine can become not just an export commodity but a tool for the country’s recovery. Literally — every bottle of SHABO on an American shelf could turn into a cleared minefield in Kharkiv or Mykolaiv regions.
The winery, with over a century of history and located in the heart of Ukrainian Bessarabia, is among the most innovative winemaking enterprises in Eastern Europe. SHABO is about long aging processes, quality control, and — most importantly — consistency, which keeps Ukrainian winemaking on the map even in turbulent times.
Their wines — from classic varietals to aged and indigenous experimental varieties — have long received high praise from international critics, but entering the U.S. market through a partnership with such a mission is a completely different level.
All of this signals a change in perspective. Ukrainian wine is no longer exotic or a “novelty from an unknown region.” It is a representation of a country that fights, works, and builds its reputation through quality.
This partnership is an example of a new Ukrainian path on the global winemaking map — through a deeply meaningful product, a values-driven strategy, a shared mission, and people who can speak about wine and war in the same sentence.
