8000 Vintages Journal | Georgian Wine Guild

A Winter Discovery from Georgia

Winter has a way of softening the pace. Evenings stretch a little longer, candles are lit earlier, and conversation seems to linger more easily around the table. It is a season that invites depth in food, in company, and in wine.

In Georgia, winter has always been a time for gathering. Beneath the earth, clay qvevri rest quietly, protecting wines born of ancient varieties and careful hands. The colder months call for wines with character and warmth, wines that unfold slowly and reward attention.

A glass of Kisi from Danilei Winery brings brightness to the season: citrus and orchard fruit rising gently from the glass, a clean and expressive palate that feels both elegant and reassuring. It is a wine that brings light to a winter table.

Then there is Khikhvi from Vine Ponto and Periani wineries, golden amber in colour, layered with quince, dried apricot and delicate spice. Textured and full-bodied, it carries the quiet confidence of tradition, balanced by freshness and harmony.

Alongside them stand thoughtful expressions of Saperavi from Château Mukhrani, including qvevri-aged examples that offer depth, dark fruit and structure, wines made for sharing, for conversation, for lingering a little longer.

Together, these bottles reflect the living spirit of Georgia’s 8,000-year winemaking heritage, where indigenous grapes and ancient methods continue to shape wines of authenticity and soul.

This winter, we have brought these expressions together in a limited Winter Discovery Case, six carefully selected bottles chosen to accompany the season and to invite exploration.

You can discover the full Winter Discovery Case here.

Rtveli at Château Mukhrani: A Magical Georgian Harvest Celebration

Harvest at Château Mukhrani 1 Harvest in Georgia is always special, but there’s something magical about celebrating it at Château Mukhrani. The whole estate felt alive, vineyards buzzing with families, children running around, and even oxen carrying baskets of grapes, just like in old times.

Everywhere I looked there were signs of autumn’s richness: huge golden sunflowers, bright red pomegranates, tables overflowing with fruit and flowers. It was a feast for the eyes before the feast for the palate even began.

As the evening set in, long tables filled with guests, laughter mixed with the music from the stage, and glasses of Château Mukhrani wines sparkled in the fading light. Some people chose the comfort of beanbags and low tables, sipping wine and chatting under the open sky, while kids painted grape clusters nearby.

What I loved most was the mix of elegance and simplicity. You had fine wines on display, the Château’s Secret Collection and Reserve Royale standing proudly but at the same time, it felt like a big family gathering. Warm, joyful, and real.

That’s what Rtveli is all about. Not just grapes and wine, but people, traditions, and moments that stay with you long after the last song is played and the last glass is poured.

A modern voice from Kakheti’s ancient vineyards - Periani Wines

In the heart of the Alazani Valley, where the sun lingers over the vineyards and the Caucasus Mountains rise in the distance, lies the village of Vejini. It was here, in 2003, that the Periani family transformed their heritage into a new chapter of Georgian winemaking.

What began as a desire to continue a family tradition has grown into a modern 80-hectare estate, where old and new live side by side. At its centre stands the cellar a symbol of the bond between soil, grapes, and the final glass of wine. Inside, ancient Qvevri clay vessels sit alongside stainless steel tanks, uniting Georgian authenticity with European precision.

Periani’s vineyards are home to Georgia’s most celebrated grapes Saperavi, Khikhvi, Rkatsiteli, and Mtsvane as well as rarer varietals the family is determined to preserve for future generations. Each harvest is carefully selected, every fermentation guided by both science and tradition, and every bottle finished with premium French glass and Portuguese cork, sealed with wax like treasures destined to age with grace.

But Periani is more than tradition alone. The winery is committed to sustainability, with wastewater treatment, organic cultivation, and renewable energy projects safeguarding the Alazani basin. It is a vision of winemaking that honours the past while looking confidently to the future.

Now part of the 8000 Vintages portfolio, Periani offers wines that are rich, expressive, and unmistakably Georgian from the deep, powerful Saperavi Qvevri to the golden, textured Khikhvi Amber. Each bottle tells the story of a family, a valley, and a country where wine has been made for 8000 years.

Welcome to Periani Wines - where heritage and innovation share the same glass.

Periani - Our new producer

Periani Wines is rooted in the ancient winemaking traditions of Kakheti, in the heart of the Alazani Valley – Georgia’s most celebrated and diverse viticultural region. With its fertile soils, abundant sunshine, and unique microclimate between the Caucasus and Gombori mountain ranges, Kakheti has long been known as the cradle of Georgian winemaking. Established with a vision to honour this heritage while embracing innovation, Periani combines traditional methods such as Qvevri fermentation with modern winemaking technology. This dual approach allows us to highlight the authentic character of Georgian varietals like Saperavi and Khikhvi, while producing wines that appeal to refined international palates.

From carefully selected vineyards across Kakheti, grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness and processed using both stainless steel tanks and buried clay vessels, ensuring freshness, balance, and depth of flavour. The winery’s philosophy is to respect terroir, express varietal purity, and craft wines that embody both tradition and modern elegance.

Today, Periani Wines is proud to represent the personality and diversity of Georgian viticulture on the global stage, building on Kakheti’s centuries-old reputation with a contemporary spirit of quality, authenticity, and innovation.

View Periani Wine

Qvevri Wine: Georgia’s Ancient Winemaking Tradition

Qvevri Wine: Georgia’s Ancient Winemaking Tradition

For over 8,000 years, Georgia has been the cradle of winemaking, and at the heart of this heritage lies the Qvevri — a large, egg-shaped clay vessel buried underground and used to ferment and age wine. Recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage, the Qvevri method is one of the oldest and most natural winemaking techniques still in use today.

Unlike modern stainless steel or oak barrels, the Qvevri allows wine to ferment with the grape skins, seeds, and sometimes stems for several months. This ancient process creates wines that are vibrant, complex, and deeply expressive of Georgia’s terroir. The result is often a rich amber-hued white wine, full-bodied reds, and unique textures that stand apart from any other wines in the world.

Qvevri wines are more than a drink — they are a connection to history, culture, and the land itself. Every sip tells the story of generations of Georgian families who have preserved this tradition, passing their knowledge down through the centuries.

Today, Qvevri wines are celebrated worldwide for their authenticity and natural character, making them a must-try for wine lovers seeking something truly unique.