The media have uncovered links between a new resort in Gelendzhik and Putin's inner circle
A large wine and tourism complex called “White Cape” has opened in Gelendzhik, Russia. Investigators from The Insider claim that the project is linked to people in Vladimir Putin’s inner circle. Similar complexes are planned for other regions of Russia and occupied Crimea in the future.
The large “White Cape” shopping and entertainment complex has opened in Gelendzhik. The complex features a wine museum, restaurants, tasting rooms, a movie theater, a wine academy, a civil registry office, and a yacht marina. According to The Insider, the project has ties to several individuals in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle. Due to its scale and concept, the complex has already been unofficially dubbed “Wine Disneyland.”
The “White Cape” complex covers an area of approximately 42,000 square meters. Visitors can enjoy more than ten restaurants, a large collection of Russian wines, and special tasting areas. Earlier, the publication “Agency” reported that the construction of the complex was carried out by the company “Velesstroy.” It is known as one of the main contractors for the renovation of the so-called “Putin Palace” near Gelendzhik.
According to The Insider, Bank Rossiya is the project’s main investor. This financial institution is traditionally linked to Putin’s close friend, Yuri Kovalchuk. The complex is operated by the company “Torik,” owned by 37-year-old Olga Siruk. Her other company is registered at the address of the “Igora” ski resort, which is also linked to Yuri Kovalchuk.
Journalists also drew attention to the domain wine.ru, which is used by the “White Cape” website. It belongs to the company “Bastion.” Until the end of 2023, its sole owner was Taimuraz Bolloev — Vladimir Putin’s judo training partner and the current owner of the “Baltika” brewing company, which the Russian authorities effectively seized from the Danish Carlsberg Group.
In addition, a stake in “Bastion” is held by Dmitry Lebedev, who sits on the board of directors of Bank Rossiya and is involved in managing the Kovalchuk brothers’ assets. According to The Insider, “White Cape” will be just the first in a network of similar wine-tourism projects. “White Cape is the first in a network of wine-tourism complexes being created by entities linked to the president’s friends,” The Insider reports.
According to the publication, similar facilities are already under construction next to the “Krynytsia” winery near Putin’s residence outside Gelendzhik. There are also plans to create new complexes based on the Crimean wineries “Inkerman” and “Novyi Svit.” The latter enterprise is owned by an affiliate of Bank Rossiya and is managed by the company “Moje Vino,” which, according to journalists, is also involved in wineries linked to Putin’s residence.
The largest of the future complexes is planned to be built on the site of “Novyi Svit.” Its area is expected to reach 87,000 square meters. Plans call for a museum of Soviet winemaking, a movie theater, tasting rooms, restaurants, shops, a crafts center, a tourist plaza, observation towers, a “floating” bridge, and a yacht marina.
The project’s owners themselves have not officially commented on reports of the complex’s possible ties to the Russian president’s inner circle. At the same time, journalists at The Insider claim to have found several pieces of indirect evidence of such involvement. This is reported by The Insider.
Russian authorities are considering a significant increase in war spending in 2026. According to Bloomberg, this would amount to an additional four to five trillion rubles. Meanwhile, Russia’s budget deficit has already exceeded the projected figure for the entire year.
