Winemaking in Georgia
Georgia is a country where the grapevine is woven into the very soul of the people. It was here, at the crossroads of civilizations, that the culture of winemaking was born thousands of years ago. Archaeological finds and archaeobotanical studies confirm: Georgia is the birthplace of the most ancient traces of wine production in the world. Since then, traditions have been carefully passed down from generation to generation, preserving their meaning and depth to this day.
Today, Georgia is home to more than 525 unique autochthonous grape varieties, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Explore wine regions to learn more about the culture and history of Georgian wine.
Explore Georgia’s Wine Regions
Click on a region to discover more
Samegrelo
Samegrelo (Megrelia) is home to one of the oldest grape varieties in Georgia, the Ojaleshi variety, which produces red semi-sweet wine. This variety is considered indigenous to the region, but is grown in small quantities due to its susceptibility to disease.
White grapes:Tsolikouri, one of the most popular white varieties in Western Georgia, is also grown here, used to produce white wines, including semi-sweet and sparkling.
Adjara
In Adjara, especially in mountainous areas such as Keda Municipality, Chkhaveri is grown. Wines made from this grape have a bright pink color, fresh aromas of red berries, cherries, forest fruits and spices.
White grapes:Tsolikouri is grown in small quantities in the region.
Guria
Guria is famous for its Chkhaveri variety, which is used to produce unique rose wines. Also in the region, in small quantities, grows Aladasturi, from which red dry wine is made.
White grapes:Tsolikouri is the main white variety in Guria. It is used to produce semi-sweet and light white wines.
Imereti
In Imereti, they grow Otskhanuri Sapere and Aladasturi, which are used for red wines. Saperavi is also found, although it is more typical for the eastern regions.
White grapes:Here, Tsolikouri, Tsitska and Krakhuna are common, from which dry white and sparkling wines are made.
Racha-lechkhumi
This region is especially famous for the Aleksandrouli and Mudjuretuli varieties, which are used to produce the famous semi-sweet wine "Khvanchkara". Also found is Usakhelauri, a rare red variety for expensive semi-sweet wines.
White grapes:Tsulukidze Tetra and Tsolikouri are white varieties used to make dry and semi-sweet wines, such as "Tvishi".
Kartli
Kartli grows Saperavi, Georgia’s main red grape, and Shavkapito, which produces rich red wines. Tavkveri is also found.
White grapes:Chinuri and Goruli Mtsvane are the key white grape varieties of the region, used in the production of dry wines following the Kartli winemaking method, which involves minimal addition of grape pomace during fermentation.
Kakheti
Kakheti is Georgia’s most famous wine region. It is dominated by Georgia’s most common red grape variety, Saperavi, which produces rich red wines such as "Kindzmarauli", "Mukuzani", and "Akhasheni".
White grapes:Rkatsiteli, Kakhuri Mtsvane, Kisi, and Khikhvi are dominant here, used for white and orange wines made using the qvevri technology (e.g. "Rkatsiteli", "Tibaani").