Early winemaking evidence
Archaeological discoveries in Georgia provide some of the earliest known evidence of grape wine production in the world.
Wine Country Guide
Georgia
Ancient qvevri traditions, indigenous grapes and a wine culture rooted in the Caucasus.
Discover the country
Georgia is one of the world’s oldest wine-producing countries, with an unbroken wine culture stretching back thousands of years. Its identity is built around indigenous grape varieties, clay qvevri fermentation and highly distinctive regional traditions. From the dry, structured reds of Kakheti to aromatic western whites and amber wines fermented on skins, Georgian wine offers a style range unlike almost anywhere else in the world.
01
The story
Wine History
Georgia’s wine history is among the oldest in the world. Archaeological evidence from the South Caucasus indicates winemaking dating back more than 8,000 years. The qvevri, a large clay vessel buried underground, became central to Georgian winemaking and remains an important part of the country’s identity. Despite political upheaval and the Soviet period, traditional methods survived and have experienced a major revival alongside modern cellar techniques.
Wine becomes part of national culture
Viticulture and wine became deeply embedded in Georgian agriculture, religion, hospitality and regional identity.
Commercial expansion and Soviet influence
Georgia developed a larger commercial wine industry, while Soviet-era production emphasised volume and semi-sweet styles for export markets.
Qvevri and indigenous grape revival
Small producers and established wineries renewed focus on traditional qvevri methods, native grape varieties and regional terroir.
02
The landscape
Geography & Wine Regions
Georgia lies between the Greater and Lesser Caucasus mountain ranges, with the Black Sea to the west and continental influences from the east. This creates substantial climatic diversity across a relatively small country. Kakheti in eastern Georgia is the dominant wine region, while western areas such as Imereti, Guria and Samegrelo are wetter and more humid. Mountain valleys in Racha-Lechkhumi produce distinctive wines from small vineyard areas and steep terrain.
Kakheti
Georgia’s largest and most important wine region, producing Saperavi reds, Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane whites, and many of the country’s best-known qvevri wines.
Kartli
A central Georgian region known for Chinuri, Goruli Mtsvane and sparkling wine, with cooler continental conditions and high-altitude vineyards.
Imereti
A wetter western region known for fresh, lighter-bodied whites from Tsitska and Tsolikouri, often made with gentler qvevri skin contact than in Kakheti.
Racha-Lechkhumi
A small mountainous region famous for naturally semi-sweet wines such as Khvanchkara and Tvishi.
Samegrelo
A humid western region historically associated with Ojaleshi and other local varieties.
Guria
A western region with high rainfall and distinctive indigenous grapes, including Chkhaveri.
03
Growing conditions
Climate & Viticulture
Georgia’s climate varies sharply from east to west. Kakheti is relatively dry and continental, while western Georgia is warmer and more humid due to Black Sea influence. Mountain ranges protect many vineyard areas and create strong differences in altitude, rainfall and temperature.
Climate
Continental in the east, humid subtropical in the west, with mountain influences throughout
Altitude
From low valley vineyards to high-altitude mountain sites
Rainfall
Lower in eastern regions such as Kakheti and significantly higher in western Georgia
Key influences
Greater Caucasus, Lesser Caucasus, Black Sea, river valleys and altitude
Viticultural challenges
Humidity in western regions, drought in parts of the east, hail, frost and disease pressure
04
In the vineyard
Key Grape Varieties
Native varieties
Saperavi
Georgia’s most important red grape, a teinturier variety capable of producing deeply coloured, structured wines with dark fruit, spice and strong ageing potential.
Rkatsiteli
One of Georgia’s most widely planted white grapes, producing fresh dry whites as well as structured amber wines when fermented on skins in qvevri.
Mtsvane Kakhuri
An aromatic Kakhetian white grape contributing floral, citrus and stone-fruit character.
Kisi
A highly regarded white grape producing aromatic, textured wines with stone fruit, flowers and spice.
Khikhvi
A rare eastern Georgian white variety capable of producing both dry and sweet wines with floral and ripe-fruit character.
Chinuri
A Kartli white grape known for high acidity and fresh citrus character, also used for sparkling wines.
Tsitska
A western Georgian white grape producing crisp, delicate wines with citrus and orchard-fruit flavours.
Tsolikouri
Important in western Georgia, producing fresh, mineral white wines with good structure and ageing ability.
Ojaleshi
A historic western Georgian red grape producing fragrant wines with red and black fruit and lively acidity.
International varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon
Planted in limited quantities and sometimes blended with Saperavi or produced as a varietal red.
Chardonnay
Used by some modern producers for still and sparkling wines, particularly in cooler regions.
05
In the glass
Principal Wine Styles
Georgian wine is defined as much by winemaking method as by grape variety. Qvevri fermentation can produce deeply textured amber and red wines, while modern stainless-steel and barrel-aged styles highlight the freshness and character of individual indigenous grapes.
Qvevri Amber Wines
White grapes fermented with skins, seeds and sometimes stems in buried clay vessels, producing amber colour, tannin, texture and complex savoury aromas.
Saperavi Reds
Deeply coloured, structured reds with blackberry, plum, spice and strong ageing potential.
Traditional Kakhetian Whites
Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane, Kisi and other grapes fermented with extended skin contact, creating powerful and structured amber wines.
Fresh European-Style Whites
Indigenous varieties vinified without extended skin contact, emphasising citrus, orchard fruit, flowers and acidity.
Semi-Sweet Reds
Traditional regional styles such as Kindzmarauli and Khvanchkara combine ripe fruit with natural residual sweetness.
Dry Red Blends
Saperavi and other varieties are used in modern dry blends with both indigenous and international grapes.
Georgian Sparkling Wine
Sparkling styles are produced particularly in Kartli using indigenous grapes such as Chinuri alongside international varieties.
06
Reference
Famous Wines & Appellations
Mukuzani
Kindzmarauli
Tsinandali
Napareuli
Kvareli
Khvanchkara
Tvishi
Manavi
Qvevri Rkatsiteli
Saperavi
07
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Producers We Work With
Wine Thieves
08
Understanding the label
Wine Classification
Georgia protects a growing number of wine appellations and geographic indications based on defined production areas and traditional wine styles. Many producers also identify wines by grape variety, village, vineyard and qvevri method.
01
Georgian Wine
Wine produced within Georgia without necessarily referring to a specific protected appellation.
02
Regional Origin
Wines identified by broader regions such as Kakheti, Kartli or Imereti.
03
Protected Designation of Origin
Defined appellations such as Mukuzani, Tsinandali and Kindzmarauli with geographic and production requirements.
04
Single-Vineyard and Qvevri Wines
Premium producers increasingly emphasise individual vineyards, villages and traditional qvevri production alongside formal geographic origin.
09
At the table
Food & Wine Culture
Wine is deeply connected to Georgian food and hospitality, particularly through the tradition of the supra feast. Amber wines pair naturally with richly seasoned vegetable dishes, cheese and poultry, while Saperavi suits grilled and roasted meats. Georgian cuisine’s herbs, walnuts, spices and fermented flavours make the country’s structured wines particularly food-friendly.
Traditional pairings
Khachapuri Khinkali Mtsvadi grilled meat Lamb Roast pork Eggplant with walnut Lobio Mushroom dishes Suluguni cheese Herb-rich vegetable dishesThe essential character
What Defines the Wines of Georgia
Georgian wine is defined by indigenous grapes, qvevri winemaking and an exceptionally deep connection between wine, food and national culture. Its combination of ancient techniques and modern regional expression makes Georgia one of the most distinctive wine countries in the world.
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Wines from Georgia
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Explore Georgian Wine
Discover Georgia through Wine Thieves and the country’s remarkable indigenous grapes, from structured Saperavi reds to qvevri-fermented amber wines and fresh Caucasian whites.
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