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.…
Iago Bitarishvili makes just 5,000 bottles a year, but his influence and impact is that of a major, and visionary, producer. From his family vineyards in Kartli he makes arrestingly elegant Amber and White wines from the local Chinuri grape. Born to a wine-making family, Iago reintroduced the use of Qvevri in the early 2000s…
Khareba is a large and commercially significant Georgian wine producer with an aristocratic origin. As long ago as the 17th century, wines from its vineyards in Vachnadzeani, in Hereti, were championed by the noble Jandieri and the Vachnadze families. The following period, however, brought conflict and rule by the Persians, and destruction of vineyards and…
Although it was officially launched in 1997, Teliani Valley winery has over a century of history – and a pivotal role in the development of Georgian wine. The modern winery is the successor of one opened in Tsinandali in 1887 by Prince Alexander Chavchavadze. It was remarkably innovative for its time. Chavchavadze was a celebrated…