Wine for Those Who Keep the Sky

Wine for Those Who Keep the Sky

On February 7, a charity wine tasting took place at the Ukrainian National Home in Manhattan, led by wine expert Roman Levytskyi (Wine Tasting by Roman Levytskyi team) and co-organizer Lesia Slobodyan (Samopomich, 64th branch of the Ukrainian American Women’s Association).

The event program included a tasting of five wines from different regions of the world, accompanied by presentations highlighting winemaking techniques, the natural and biodynamic qualities of the wines, and professional tasting rules. The main goal of the event was not only to introduce participants to the scientific aspects of winemaking but also to unite the Ukrainian diaspora in support of current events in Ukraine and to draw attention to humanitarian and defense aid.

One of the highlights of the presentation was a tasting of American wine with a Ukrainian twist. Few people know that Ukrainians also made a significant contribution to winemaking on the U.S. East Coast, laying a solid foundation that later became a driving force for the development of other American wineries.

During the break between lecture sessions, a lottery and charity auction were held. A key participant in the auction was an active pilot of an assault aviation brigade, call sign “Pumba” (Ukrainian Air Force), who contributed items including a patch, a personalized coin, and a signed photograph. The pilot’s name is withheld for security reasons. The evening held special emotional significance for him, as February 7 marked the second anniversary of the death of his comrade Vladyslav Rykov—a Hero of Ukraine, Full Knight of the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, and Full Cavalier of the Order for Courage (the first person to receive these honors simultaneously).

Funds raised during the auction and lottery were allocated to two initiatives: fulfilling a request for the helicopter brigade (purchase of an anti-drone rifle) and supporting the Brave Children of Ukraine Foundation, which cares for children who lost their parents, military personnel. The foundation was established by a veteran, Senior Lieutenant, former commander of a mechanized M2 Bradley company of the 47th Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Wine Tasting by Roman Levytskyi team expresses gratitude to co-organizer Lesia Slobodyan, Samopomich, the 64th branch of the Ukrainian American Women’s Association, and the event sponsors: Veres Restaurant (Coney Island Ave, Brooklyn, NY), Freshline (NJ), the manager of the Ukrainian National Home (Manhattan), Gale for providing wines for the lottery, and Anna Zayachkivska for donating a painting for the auction.

Every sip supported a worthy cause.