Where it is
Stavropol Krai is at the northern edge of the Caucasus in southern Russia, with Stavropol on a plateau and the mineral-water spa towns of Pyatigorsk and Kislovodsk to the south.
Land and climate
Continental, with cold winters, so vines are buried against frost in many places. Soils are black earth and loam.
Grapes and wines
Riesling, Aligoté and Rkatsiteli are planted for white wines and sparkling base wines, and Cabernet Sauvignon for reds. The region has been making wine since the nineteenth century.