The Jakeli brothers established their organic vineyard in 2001, and began commercial production 7 years later. Their small, 6 hectare, site is in Kashmi, a renowned microzone at altitudes of 500-700 metres. Initially, they vinified their superb, richly-flavoured grapes using conventional methods such as stainless steel tanks, and oak barrels. After several years of also…
This young superstar of big Georgian wineries own a considerable 400 hectares of vineyards, and benefits from the consulting advices of the renowned Italian enologist, Donato Lanati. Established in 2006, Badagoni’s focus is on Georgian varieties from renowned Georgian terroirs. They have made sure to acquire vineyards in each of the major sub-zones of Kakheti.…
In just two decades, Askaneli Brothers has grown to become one of the most dynamic large producers of Georgia. The name is derived from the village “Askana”, in Guria. This southern region of Georgia is a byword for eccentric creativity, and a dry, black wit. The Chkhaidze family are important Georgian business owners, with interests…
Nukri Kurdadze knows the big side of wine business: he had a successful career representing the wine brands of Pernod Ricard in Russia. On retirement, he followed his dream. With his son, Sandro, a philosophy graduate, he established a tiny, organic vineyard in the prize heart of Kakheti. Their winery is named after the valley…
Giuaani is a young company with old origins. The Giuashvili family have farmed vineyards at Manavi, a noted wine village of Kakheti, since the 1800s. In 2010 they established Qiuaani, with a new winery containing both qvevri and modern technology. Their first wines, in 2014, were an impressive debut, and subsequent vintages have fulfilled that early…
This boutique producer makes tiny quantities of excellent wines, beautifully labelled and selectively distributed. They are already something of a cult among Tbilisi’s nascent trendy wine scene. Lukasi was founded in 2011 by Ketevan Gersamia and Mamuka Dolidze when they inherited a small vineyard and decided to create their own wine, named for their son,…
An exemplary larger producer, Schuchmann has shown the world the versatility, consistency and appeal of contemporary Georgian wine. Co-founded by German industrialist Burkhard Schuchmann and famed Georgian winemaker George (Gogi) Dakishvili, the winery was distinguished from the start by its commitment to both Qvevri and ‘European’ wine of global quality standards. Their elegant qvevri wines…
Giorgi (Gogi) Dakishvili is one of the most respected and influential winemakers of Georgia. A skilled enologist, he combines technical excellent with intuitive creativity. His is a leading expert on the science and art of winemaking in Qvevri, and shares his knowledge freely with the new generation of vignerons returning to this ancient method. He…
Founded in 1915, Telavi Wine Cellar fell on hard times in the post-Soviet era. It was rescued from bankruptcy and neglect by a small group of entrepreneurs led by former surgeon, and avid Burgundy fan, Zurab Ramazashvili. (“When I first suggested we buy it, they thought I was mad”, he says.) Today, this is one…
GWS GWS (“Georgian Wine and Spirits”) is one of the biggest and most dynamic producers of Georgia. It emerged from the Soviet-era government winery “Telavi2”, which was established in the 1970s. In common with several former Soviet wineries, Telavi2 was purchased by forward-thinking entrepreneurs in the early 1990s, just as Georgia was emerging into independence.…