We understand why this question comes up. Bakhmut was captured, and it is reasonable to wonder how bottles of Artwine still exist today. The answer is full transparency.

After the full-scale invasion, Artwinery rescued more than 300,000 bottles from the Bakhmut underground cellars. Ukraine’s domestic market already knew the brand well, so the remaining stock sold out rapidly inside the country without the need for storytelling or brand-building.

In the United States, however, Artwine was unfamiliar. Our team had to introduce the product, explain its origins, and communicate the history from scratch. Because of this slower brand recognition, some of the bottles evacuated during the siege, along with bottles exported before the war, remained in lawful U.S. inventory rather than selling through as quickly as they did in Ukraine.

This means the bottles now offered in Europe are not new production from occupied Bakhmut. They are part of the same verified stock that left Ukraine legally: bottles exported before the war and bottles rescued from the Bakhmut cellars before access was lost.

In total, more than 20,000 bottles were exported to the United States. Imports began before the war, and additional quantities were rescued during the siege. We can provide import records upon request.

For added clarity, we have included the official Certificate of Origin below. This document is issued only after verification of production, ingredients, materials, and compliance with Ukrainian and international regulations.

Wine moved out of Bakhmut after occupation cannot legally receive a Ukrainian Certificate of Origin and would not pass import, customs, or sanctions controls.

Every bottle offered here comes from verified Artwine stock connected to the original Bakhmut collection.

Questions About Authenticity

If you have further questions about origin, import history, or documentation, you are welcome to contact our importer directly.

Gayle Corrigan, Founder

Brave Selections USA
gcorrigan@braveselections.com