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The cradle of wine

To Georgians, wine is a way of life, a source of pride and a pillar of hope. With easier access to European markets and tourism on the rise, winemakers here hope that Georgia can capitalize on its rich heritage and stake out a place for itself amongst the world’s great wine-producing nations.

Vineyards carpet the rolling hills in Kakheti, Georgia’s premier wine region
Historical map of the territories of Georgia, Armenian and Greater Kurdistan
Learning about winemaking in Kakheti
Scenes from rural Kakheti
Georgia proudly boasts over 400 grape varieties, more than any other country in the world
A foggy road through the forested foothills of the Caucasus Mountains
A religious monument in the hills perched above Tbilisi
A supra – a traditional Georgian feast which remains an important part of Georgian culture
Learning about traditional Georgian winemaking methods in the large terracotta vessels known as ‘qvevris’
Georgia’s ancient wine culture has seen a revival in recent years, as winemakers have realized that their traditional method of qvevri winemaking is one of their most valuable assets
Rtveli – the traditional autumn grape harvest and wine-making celebration – in Mtskheta
The oldest traces of viticulture are found in Georgia and evidence proves grapes have been cultivated here for over 8,000 years, since Neolithic times, giving the country credible claim that it is the birthplace of wine
Wine tourism is on the rise as Georgia shakes off its post-Soviet image
The photo on the left shows the shape and size of qvevris, the traditional Georgian wine-making vessels
Today nearly 84% of Georgians practice Orthodox Christianity
Rtveli – the traditional autumn grape harvest and wine-making celebration
Both viticulture and wine tourism hold great potential to help pull the country out of poverty and inject much-needed growth into Georgia’s economy
Nearly 15% of Georgians still live in poverty according to 2013 World Bank figures
Nightfall in Kakheti, a fertile region in eastern Georgia well-regarded for its high quality wines and rich history