A wine vessel and a dipper mug were given to the writer Vitaly Zakrutkin for his birthday by the workers of the Kochetovskaya Vineyard State Farm. Both items are made of oak wood. The gifts were presented by the director of the state farm, Zinovy Stepanovich Selsky, as a token of gratitude for Zakrutkin’s active participation in organizing the viticulture state farm and for his work dedicated to the Don region and its inhabitants.

The vessel and the dipper are Don souvenirs made by the famous Kochetovskaya cooper Rim Ignatyevich Biryukov, who worked at the state farm wine shop. Rim Biryukov was a well-known specialist in the Don region, renowned for crafting giant oak barrels, medium-sized barrels, and small ones that could be carried in one hand. Biryukov’s products were considered both beautiful and practical, making them very convenient to use.

Young people from various regions and districts came to Kochetovskaya to learn the art of working with wood and metal from Biryukov, who willingly shared his expertise.

The Kochetovskaya cooper, along with the best craftsmen in the region, was repeatedly invited to work in southern vinicultural state farms, including Abrau-Dyurso and the Magarach Research Institute in Crimea, among others. In every instance, he proved himself to be a brilliant specialist and skilled professional.

Rim Biryukov was an inspired person who, on his own initiative and together with his students, including the Kochetovskaya Cossack Mikhail Baronin, created drawings and various souvenir works from oak. These included fancy containers for drinks, beautiful barrels, mugs with intricate handles, dishes for grapes, and much more. Biryukov’s products served as gifts and souvenirs for famous guests who visited the Kochetovskaya state farm.

The writer Vitaly Zakrutkin was delighted with the gifts and took them out every time he had guests, as they were not just a souvenir set but also functional items that Zakrutkin used for drinks.

Nowadays, the vessel and the dipper, crafted by the talented master Rim Biryukov and presented to Zakrutkin on his birthday, are displayed in the writer’s office at the memorial house-museum.