At the All-Russian Industrial and Art Exhibition of 1899 in Nizhny Novgorod, Prince Lev Golitsyn received a special award from Nicholas II for his contribution to national winemaking. The prince was given a large silver presentation kovsh with red enamel inlays and inscriptions. The handles were decorated with two eagles made by Julius Rappoport, the head silversmith at the St. Petersburg branch of the House of Fabergé. He specialized in casings for crystal, table silver with complex and richly decorated details, jardinieres and lamps. He was partial to designs characteristic of every historical period, from Rococo to Empire style. But he achieved his greatest fame by creating silver animal figures.
Prince Lev Golitsyn (1845-1915) was a pioneer of Russian winemaking. He organized the industrial manufacture of sparkling wines in Abrau-Durso and owned the Novy Svet manor. In 1896, champagne from Novy Svet was served in Moscow during the celebrations surrounding the ascent of Nicholas II to the throne, and was officially given the Coronation label.