Georgia's wineries combine the most ancient traditions with innovations of modern winemaking, with an authentic and distinctive character that is rooted in its deep history. The Wine Festival's Guest of Honour will feature a line-up of 10 wines from 5 different wineries, which can be tasted at their booth on the Halászó gyerekek Terrace from 4 to 10 p.m.
Wineries:
ETHNO
Ethno is an organic wine made from the grapes harvested from our bio vineyards, which are located in three microzones/PDOs of Kakheti region - Manavi, Khashmi, and Shilda.
Ethno Wines is owned and operated by two local wine enthusiasts and professionals passionate about a natural way of living and making wine. Their vineyards rest in the fertile Kakheti region famous for its winemaking traditions, respectively just 30 and 70 kilometers east of Tbilisi.
The wineries sit at 700 meters above sea level, in good climate conditions for growing grapes. All grapes are harvested with organic processes and also with traditional Georgian methods.
Ethno Wines is a member of the Natural Wine Association.
MELITONI
In 1921, the journey began with a visionary named Meliton Skhirtladze, driven by an unwavering passion for winemaking. He began his winemaking journey in the village of Mravaldzali, perched 1840 meters above sea level. Despite the challenging climate, he harvested grapes from the neighbouring village of Khimshi, located at a lower elevation of 700 meters. Each grape was carefully transported uphill to his Qvevri cellar, where Meliton's dedication laid the foundation for a lasting legacy. His exceptional wines, crafted with precision and care, have been passed down through generations, becoming a hallmark of quality and tradition. Today, his initiative thrives, culminating in a modern factory—a testament to innovation and craftsmanship passed through generations.
MUKHRANI
Beginning life as a royal estate in the 16th century, Château Mukhrani has always been renowned for its splendid parks and gardens. Producing wines since 1876, it is now one of the oldest wine estates in Georgia, the world's most ancient wine-producing country.
Château Mukhrani boasts one of the oldest wine lineages in Georgia today, and it is the only estate in the country to combine history with a proprietary vineyard, winery and château. As well as its splendid castle, the estate has always been renowned for its parks and gardens. Mukhrani means 'adorned with oak trees' in Georgian and the setting lives up to its name. The incredible 19th-century castle, cellars, gardens and vineyards are open to the public and easily accessible from the capital. This majestic property with its pristine surroundings and incredible heritage is an absolute must-visit destination for any wine lover visiting Georgia.
ORGO
Orgo is an artisan winery located in Eastern Georgia that specializes in the 8,000 year old Georgian Qvevri wine making tradition and sources all their grapes sourced from at least 50 year old vines. Making wines from old vines in Georgia is a rare and difficult project since during soviet times most older vines were ripped up and replaced so as to produce more grapes. Orgo is a labor of love and is one of the only example of old vine Georgian wines. The concentration of the old vine grapes and the skill of the winemakers is a unique combination for Georgian wines. Orgo produces distinct visions wines that follow the ancient Georgian qvevri style but raise it to new heights of elegance.
CHELTI
Founded in 2001, Chelti proudly produces several varieties of authentic Georgian wine with traditional methods dating back older than 8,000 years. Its subterranean winery was established in 2006. The cellar is seven meters below ground and stays between 12 and 16 degrees.
The history of Chelti Winery can be traced back to the last century, when in the depth of the Kakheti region, in the village of Shilda, the ancestors of the Mirianashvili family built their first wine cellar.The family tradition was revived in 2001 with the initiative of Giorgi Mirianashvili, the founder and CEO of the Chelti Winery Company, who expanded on the already existing household cellars and vineyards.The total space of the territory now amounts to 80 hectares and includes vineyards, traditional Georgian (Qvevri) and Classic (oak & steel) cellars, an underground wine warehouse and a tourist complex.