To many it may seem a strange notion, but wine has been made in this part of Siberia since tsarist times in the 19th century and perhaps earlier. 

This is, in places, the coldest inhabited region on earth, yet the summers are as hot as many regions of France and other grape-growing countries, and peasants have long fermented homemade wine here; so there is no intrinsic reason not to try.

The vineyards are some 300 metres above sea level around the village of Altaiskoye village in Altaisky district. The village - founded in 1808, and now with a 14,000 population - is between Belokurikha resort and Lake Aya in the foothills of the Altai Mountains. 

Now after enlisting professional help from France, Vladimir Vagner, head of Altai Winery OJSC, is convinced he can make a breakthrough with varieties of  both red and white.

Sources: siberiantimes.com