This large and quality-focused producer owns vineyards in many of Georgia’s most famed micro-zones and appellations. The winery is in Tsinandali, the aristocratic town that Prince Chavchavadze made the heart of contemporary Georgian wine production in the 18th century. (His palace, now a national monument, is next door.) Shumi was founded in 2001, as Georgia was recovering from the collapse of the Soviet Union and the civil war that followed. At first, Shumi focussed on classically made wines, fermented and aged in stainless and oak. Lately, like many larger producers, Shumi have added qvevri wines to their range, installing an enlarged marani (qvevri cellar) in spring 2018. They are in the process of converting to organic viticulture. Their top wines, in both styles, are excellent. The Iberiuli Saperavi is an award-winner in many markets. In the UK, the wines are imported by Taste of Georgia, and are starting to appear in independent wine shops and restaurants. Shumi is a popular attraction on the Kakhetian vineyard trail. It has beautiful gardens, a wine museum, a tasting room, and excellent restaurant. The young and multi-lingual team offer excellent tours and tastings, and are particularly proud of the experimental vineyard in which you can see hundreds of different Georgian and international grape varieties planted in adjacent rows.
http://www.shumi.ge/
