The Georgian Madams’ Wine tour brings 20 Georgian women to London to present their wines to professionals and enthusiasts. The tour is an initiative of the Association of Georgian Women in Wine Industry (WiWi), and follows successful tours held in Poland and Japan.
WiWi is a young organisation founded to raise the skills, profile and recognition of women working in wine in Georgia. WiWi organise study days and mentoring programs, and host tastings and festivals. They are raising the profile and influence of women in Georgia’s wine industry.
The winemakers and winery owners participating in the Georgian Madams’ Wine Tour include both famous and new names. These women come together to support each other, and to attract more women to build a diverse and resilient wine sector that benefits communities, wine quality, and the environment.
The Georgian Madams’ Wine Tour in London comprises a trade tasting on 23rd May, and 3 public tastings held over the 24th and 25th of May. The delegation is also presenting wine to guests at an invitation-only reception hosted by the Georgian Ambassador at Vintners Hall on Friday 26th May, which is Georgian National Independence Day.
The producers taking part in the wine tour come from different regions of Georgia, and make a diverse range of white, amber, rosé and red wine. Many adopt a low intervention approach and a focus on indigenous regional varieties. The wineries range in size from those making a few thousand bottles a year, to those with a larger production which is exported to international markets. The backgrounds of the WiWi members are diverse, and include wine technicians and professionals from other backgrounds such as medicine, engineering, media and the arts. Some members are well established with an international reputation, and others are new to wine. They are united by a commitment make great wine that honours Georgia, and inspires other women to make wine their path.
The women showing their wines at the tastings are:
Ketevan Aladashvili of Berika Winery
Khatia Khidisheli of Khidishlebi
Marina Kakiashvili-Ruadze of Doctor’s bio-cellar
Ia Imerlishvili of Ia’s Winery
Nino Kochiashvili of Kardanakhi Estate
Sophia Muchiauri of Sopho’s Family Winery
Manana Akhvlediani of Madam Wine
Maia Katsitadze of Marani Sachino
Tamari Khvedelidze of Orta Wine
Nona Mchedlishvili of Dano Winery
Marina Kurtanidze of Marina’s Wine
Gogona Panchulidze of DemisWinery
Gulnara Romanadze of PonginoWine
Miranda Chkhetiani of Miranda’s Wine
Mariami Minadze of Minadze’s Marani Phersvi
Salome Mandzulashvili of Mandzula’s Marani
Tamar Gurgenashvili of Tamarini Wine
Tamuna Veshapidze of Tamarveli Wine
Georgian Madams’ Wine Tour Tastings:
London Trade and Press Tasting on Tuesday 23rd May 2023
Where: The Vinyl Factory, Soho, London
When: 11:00-16:45
Who should come: Wine trade and media professionals
Registration online (for wine trade and wine press)
WiWi members will be joining this comprehensive tasting and pouring their wines, alongside a wide range of additional wines from other producers from across Georgia.
Georgian Madams’ Wine Evening Reception on Wednesday 24th May 2023
Where: 43 Upper Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 2NJ
When: 18:00-21:00
Who should come: anyone interested in meeting the producers, and tasting their wines!
Registration is free but should be made in advance. Please register here.
Hosted by The British Georgian Chamber of Commerce. Attendance is free and open to all over 18s, but please register in advance so that we can manage capacity.
Drop in tastings at two London wine shops on Thursday 25th May 2023
The group splits and heads east and south on Thursday to host informal tastings between 1pm and 4pm at these two specialist Georgian wine shops.
From
80-20 Shops, Haggerston, East London
Where: 49 Kay Street, London, E2 8QB
When: 13:00 to 16:00
Who should come: anyone interested in meeting the producers, and tasting their wines!
80/20 is 80% General Stores and 20% pure Georgian, with Georgian wines to buy retail, as well as to drink in by the glass, alongside Georgian coffee, tea and deli.
Free to attend and just drop in.
Kartuli Restaurant and Wine Shop, Dulwich, London
Where: 65 Lordship Lane, London SE22 8EP
When: 13:00 to 16:00
Who should come: anyone interested in meeting the producers, and tasting their wines!
Kartuli is a Georgian restaurant and wine bar and wine shop where you can buy Georgian wine to take home.
Free to attend but email to confirm your place: [email protected]
