Exploring Georgia’s 7 Hidden Gem Wineries A Taste of Tradition and Innovation in Kakheti
Exploring Georgia's 7 Hidden Gem Wineries A Taste of Tradition and Innovation in Kakheti - Khareba Winery Wine tunnel experience in Kvareli
The Khareba Winery in Kvareli, Georgia, offers a one-of-a-kind underground wine experience for visitors.
The winery's extensive 77 km wine tunnel, originally built for military purposes in the 1950s, has been transformed into a massive wine cellar with a constant temperature of 12-14°C, providing an ideal environment for wine storage and aging.
Visitors can explore this remarkable tunnel and sample the winery's diverse range of wines, including both traditional qvevri-aged and modern European-style varieties, showcasing Khareba's innovative approach to winemaking.
The Khareba Winery's underground wine tunnel is an engineering marvel, spanning an astonishing 77 kilometers in length, making it the largest underground wine cellar in the world.
The tunnel's constant temperature of 12-14°C, maintained throughout the year, provides an ideal environment for the optimal aging and preservation of the winery's diverse wine collection.
Khareba's winemaking process combines traditional Georgian qvevri vessels with modern stainless steel and oak barrels, showcasing the winery's innovative approach to blending time-honored techniques with state-of-the-art technology.
The winery's extensive underground network of tunnels was originally constructed in the 1950s for military purposes, but has since been repurposed into a one-of-a-kind wine storage and tasting experience.
Visitors to the Khareba Winery can explore the vast underground tunnel system and sample over 30 different varieties of the winery's award-winning wines, showcasing the diversity of Georgia's rich winemaking heritage.
What else is in this post?
- Exploring Georgia's 7 Hidden Gem Wineries A Taste of Tradition and Innovation in Kakheti - Khareba Winery Wine tunnel experience in Kvareli
- Exploring Georgia's 7 Hidden Gem Wineries A Taste of Tradition and Innovation in Kakheti - Shumi Winery Unique grape varieties in Tsinandali
- Exploring Georgia's 7 Hidden Gem Wineries A Taste of Tradition and Innovation in Kakheti - Twins Wine Cellar Qvevri winemaking in Napareuli
- Exploring Georgia's 7 Hidden Gem Wineries A Taste of Tradition and Innovation in Kakheti - Lukasi Winery Modern techniques meet tradition in Sighnaghi
- Exploring Georgia's 7 Hidden Gem Wineries A Taste of Tradition and Innovation in Kakheti - Pheasant's Tears Natural wines in Sighnaghi
- Exploring Georgia's 7 Hidden Gem Wineries A Taste of Tradition and Innovation in Kakheti - Okro's Wines Biodynamic vineyard in Signagi
Exploring Georgia's 7 Hidden Gem Wineries A Taste of Tradition and Innovation in Kakheti - Shumi Winery Unique grape varieties in Tsinandali
Founded in 2001, this esteemed producer has made a name for itself by crafting a diverse range of high-quality Georgian wines using a blend of over 500 indigenous grape varieties.
Shumi Winery's commitment to authenticity is evident in its name, derived from an old Georgian word meaning "authentic, undiluted wine." The winery's griffin logo pays homage to "Phaskunji," a mythical creature from Georgian folklore that is said to have gifted the first bunch of grapes to humanity.
The winery's portfolio showcases a remarkable array of red, white, rosé, sparkling, dessert, and fortified wines, each reflecting the unique terroir of the Kakheti region.
Grape varieties such as Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Kisi, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Kakhuri Mtsvane, among others, are expertly cultivated and transformed into award-winning vintages that have earned Shumi Winery recognition as the Best Producer of Georgia at the prestigious MUNDUS VINI competition in Germany.
Shumi Winery's unique grape varieties in Tsinandali include Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Kisi, Cabernet Sauvignon, Kakhuri Mtsvane, Khikhvi, Aleksandrouli, and Mujuretuli, which are all indigenous to the Kakheti region.
The winery's flagship "Zigu" wine is a blend of over 500 different Georgian aboriginal grape varieties, showcasing the remarkable diversity of the region's viticulture.
Shumi Winery's wines are classified under well-known Georgian appellations such as Tsinandali, Napareuli, Mukuzani, Khvanchkara, Kinzmarauli, and Akhasheni, highlighting the winery's deep roots in the local terroir.
In 2020, Shumi Winery was recognized as the Best Producer of Georgia at the prestigious MUNDUS VINI competition in Germany, a testament to the winery's commitment to innovation and quality.
The winery's name, "Shumi," is derived from an old Georgian word meaning "authentic, undiluted wine," reflecting the winery's dedication to preserving traditional winemaking methods while embracing biodynamic and organic practices.
Shumi Winery's griffin logo pays homage to "Phaskunji," a mythical creature from Georgian folklore believed to have gifted the first bunch of grapes to humanity, adding a touch of cultural significance to the brand.
The winery's diverse range of products includes not only wines but also a variety of grape-based alcoholic beverages and foods, showcasing the winery's innovative approach to utilizing the full potential of its grape resources.
Exploring Georgia's 7 Hidden Gem Wineries A Taste of Tradition and Innovation in Kakheti - Twins Wine Cellar Qvevri winemaking in Napareuli
Twins Wine Cellar, located in Napareuli, Georgia, is a winery that specializes in traditional Qvevri winemaking.
The winery, established by twin brothers Gia and Gela Gamtkitsulashvili, has restored its ancestral 18th-century cellar and offers visitors the opportunity to explore the Qvevri Wine Museum and experience wine tastings featuring their own red and white wines produced using the centuries-old Qvevri technique.
The Twins Wine Cellar's 18th-century cellar has been meticulously restored, preserving the historical integrity of the winery's ancestral facilities.
The winery's Qvevri Wine Museum offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the intricate process of qvevri winemaking, a centuries-old Georgian technique that is now garnering global recognition.
The winery's red and white wines undergo a lengthy maturation process within the qvevri, sometimes taking up to 12 months, resulting in a distinct flavor profile that showcases the natural terroir of the Kakheti region.
The Twins Wine Cellar's winemaking team has developed a precise technique for managing the temperature and humidity within the qvevri, ensuring the optimal conditions for the wine's evolution during the fermentation and aging stages.
Visitors to the Twins Wine Cellar can witness the traditional method of sealing the qvevri with a layer of beeswax, a practice that helps to create an airtight environment and further enhance the wine's unique characteristics.
The winery's innovative approach to qvevri winemaking includes the use of specialized equipment, such as a custom-built forklift designed to safely maneuver the heavy qvevri during the winemaking process.
The Twins Wine Cellar's commitment to quality and authenticity has been recognized internationally, with several of their wines earning prestigious awards at global competitions, further elevating the reputation of Georgian qvevri winemaking on the global stage.
Exploring Georgia's 7 Hidden Gem Wineries A Taste of Tradition and Innovation in Kakheti - Lukasi Winery Modern techniques meet tradition in Sighnaghi
Lukasi Winery in Sighnaghi embodies the perfect blend of modern techniques and traditional winemaking methods, creating a unique experience for wine enthusiasts.
Their portfolio, which includes the award-winning Saperavi 2013, showcases the winery's commitment to quality and innovation while honoring Georgia's rich viticultural heritage.
Lukasi Winery utilizes a unique fermentation process that combines both qvevri and stainless steel tanks, allowing for precise temperature control while maintaining traditional Georgian winemaking methods.
The winery's vineyards are planted at an elevation of 750 meters above sea level, contributing to the distinct microclimates that influence the flavor profiles of their wines.
Lukasi employs a cutting-edge optical grape sorting system, ensuring only the highest quality grapes are used in their wine production.
The winery's cellar maintains a constant temperature of 13°C and humidity of 70%, achieved through an advanced climate control system that mimics natural cave conditions.
Lukasi Winery has developed a proprietary yeast strain specifically adapted to their local terroir, enhancing the unique characteristics of their wines.
The winery's bottling line can process up to 3,000 bottles per hour, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment to maintain wine quality during the packaging process.
Lukasi's vineyards are equipped with a sophisticated drip irrigation system that precisely controls water distribution based on real-time soil moisture data.
The winery has implemented a novel technique of using ultrasound waves during the maceration process, which has been shown to enhance color extraction and reduce fermentation time.
Lukasi Winery's experimental vineyard block features over 20 rare indigenous Georgian grape varieties, contributing to the preservation and study of Georgia's viticultural heritage.
Exploring Georgia's 7 Hidden Gem Wineries A Taste of Tradition and Innovation in Kakheti - Pheasant's Tears Natural wines in Sighnaghi
Founded in 2007 by American painter John Wurdeman and Georgian Gela Patalishvili, the winery is dedicated to preserving traditional Georgian winemaking methods while embracing innovation.
Their commitment to using qvevri, large clay vessels for fermentation and aging, has earned them a reputation as one of Kakheti's hidden gem wineries, offering visitors a unique blend of authenticity and creativity in the heart of Georgia's wine country.
Pheasant's Tears winery utilizes a unique fermentation process involving beeswax-lined qvevri, which imparts distinct flavors and aromas to their wines.
The winery's vineyard spans 7 hectares and is planted with 417 indigenous Georgian grape varieties, making it a living library of the country's viticultural diversity.
Pheasant's Tears employs a technique called "Chacha pressing," where the grape skins, stems, and seeds are left in contact with the wine during fermentation, resulting in complex tannin structures.
The winery's flagship wine, a Rkatsiteli amber wine, undergoes an extended maceration period of up to six months, developing unique oxidative characteristics.
Pheasant's Tears has developed a proprietary method for qvevri cleaning using a combination of cherry bark extract and lime, which enhances the natural antimicrobial properties of the clay vessels.
The winery's vineyards are planted at an elevation of 790 meters above sea level, exposing the grapes to intense UV radiation that contributes to thicker skins and more concentrated flavors.
Pheasant's Tears employs a traditional Georgian pruning technique called "head training," which allows for better air circulation and sun exposure in the vineyard.
The winery has implemented a novel grape-drying process for certain wines, where harvested grapes are left to partially dehydrate on straw mats before fermentation, concentrating sugars and flavors.
Pheasant's Tears utilizes a unique bottling system that minimizes oxygen exposure during the bottling process, preserving the wine's delicate aromatic compounds.
The winery has developed a custom-designed qvevri lifting system that allows for precise control during the delicate process of removing wine from the buried clay vessels.
Exploring Georgia's 7 Hidden Gem Wineries A Taste of Tradition and Innovation in Kakheti - Okro's Wines Biodynamic vineyard in Signagi
Okro's Wines is a biodynamic winery located in the mountainous village of Sighnaghi, Georgia, known for its rich history and culture of wine production.
The winery sits in the fertile Alazani River Valley, with the Caucasus Mountains stretching to the north, and focuses on producing fine natural wines using traditional Georgian techniques.
Okro's Wines offers a unique winery experience, with a restaurant serving Georgian cuisine and a tasting room providing breathtaking views of the Alazani Valley and the Caucasian mountains.
Okro's Wines is one of the few wineries in Georgia that adheres to biodynamic farming principles, which involve a holistic approach to viticulture and winemaking.
The winery's vineyards are located at an average elevation of 800 meters above sea level, allowing the grapes to develop intense aromas and flavors due to the high UV exposure.
Okro's Wines utilizes a unique fermentation process that combines traditional Georgian qvevri vessels with modern stainless steel tanks, enabling precise temperature control while maintaining the essence of the region's winemaking heritage.
The winery's qvevri are coated with a beeswax-based sealant, a traditional technique that helps create an airtight environment and enhances the wines' distinctive terroir-driven characteristics.
Okro's Wines is one of the few producers in Georgia to use the ancient method of "Chacha pressing," where the grape skins, stems, and seeds are left in contact with the wine during fermentation, resulting in complex tannin structures.
The winery has developed a proprietary yeast strain specifically adapted to the local Signagi terroir, contributing to the unique flavor profiles of their wines.
Okro's Wines has implemented a state-of-the-art drip irrigation system in their vineyards, allowing for precise water management based on real-time soil moisture data.
The winery utilizes a unique grape-drying process for certain wines, where harvested grapes are left to partially dehydrate on straw mats before fermentation, concentrating sugars and flavors.
Okro's Wines has developed a custom-designed qvevri lifting system that allows for precise control during the delicate process of removing wine from the buried clay vessels.
Okro's Wines is a member of the Natural Wine Association, a prestigious organization that promotes the production of authentic, minimally-interventionist wines.