Château Mukhrani is based on the historical tradition of wine-making in Mukhrani region. This is the first and the only true Georgian Royal Chateau, which unites four key components: vineyards, winery, castle and history. In 1512 Mukhrani became the prince’s estate, governed by Bagrationi royal family. Mukhranian wine production was established by Ivane Mukhranbatoni a famous representative of royal family, political and public figure of the 19th century. In 1876, Ivane Mukhranbatoni returned from France with Chateau concept knowledge and since then the history of Château Mukhani’s winemaking starts.
During the Soviet time Château Mukhrani was abandoned and almost destroyed. In 2002, a group of businessmen, Frederik Paulsen, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze laid basis for restoration of the project of Château Mukhrani. Group intended to revive the estate to its former glory and re-establish production at Mukhrani, combining modern and traditional technologies. New investment group aims to create strong international brands, which will serve as a profound representative of Georgian wine on international market. In 2007, major investment was made in new winery of Château Mukhrani. Now it is equipped with ultra-modern technology and corresponds with ISO 9001:2005 Food Safety and ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management standards.
Along with modern winery, Château Mukhrani Cellar was also reconstructed, returning to unique origin, which has great historical value. Today the cellar is fully reconstructed and stores more than 1000 barrels of wine at constant temperature of 16C. Since 2007, Château Mukhrani is making wine from grapes harvested in its own vineyards. To make the wine more exquisite and truly unique, winery receives grapes for processing maximum in 15 minutes from harvesting.
In the middle of Alazani Valley, lies Kakheti’s largest and most important city, Telavi. Just outside the city is where MARANI was founded in 1915. For nearly a century, we have blended innovation with a sense of history, keeping faithful to the noble traditions of Kakhetian winemaking, while adapting to modern methods to produce wines that would please the most refined, and discerning global palate. The wines of MARANI embody the personality and diversity of Georgian viticulture and highlight our determination to present the best of our diverse local grape varieties and distinguished terroir.
In the magnificent environment of the ALAZANI RIVER VALLEY stretching from northwest to southeast, 110km between the Great Caucasus and Tsiv-Gombori mountain ranges, lays the ancient winemaking land of KAKHETI, with its oenological traditions, history and the largest and most diverse area in Georgia for quality winemaking. 22,500 hectares of vineyards, at altitudes of 250-650 m above the sea level, are divided equally between white and red varieties, contain seven of the most important Specific Viticulture Areas. On the right bank of Alazani you will find Tsinandali, Vazisubani, Akhasheni and Mukuzani, while Napareuli, Kvareli and Kindzmarauli nestle in the picturesque foothills of Great Caucasus at the left bank of Alazani River.
Relentless improvement has been part of Marani from her very foundation and continues to this day. Modern day technology, with stainless steel insulated tanks, pneumatic presses, gentle movement pumps and overall temperature control system shares the room with oak vats, barriques and traditional clay vessels, Kvevri, buried in the earthen floor of the great cellar, which in georgia is called "Marani".
Vine Ponto was established in 2014, and is based in Telavi, Kakheti, the heart of winemaking in Georgia. The company’s mission is to preserve and develop the traditional methods of Georgian winemaking. As of now the company produces six wine varieties: Kisi, Mtsvane, Rkatsiteli, Khikhvi, Saperavi and Mukuzani with annual production of 50,000 bottles.
Vine Ponto makes wine in Kvevri, the traditional Georgian clay vessel buried in the ground. The grape juice along with grapes skin is kept in Kvevri for six months from September to March. In March the Kvevri is opened, wine is separated from grape skin and is moved to Seguin Moreau oak barrels for further aging, where the maturing process continues for next 9-14 months. In order to produce premium class Kvevri wines, Vine Ponto enters the market in 1.5-2 years after harvesting.
Vine Ponto totally avoids artificial technological intervention usually applied for accelerating the process of wine maturing. The company just gives the wine the way to mature by it’s own. Vineyard goes through a so called “Green Harvest”, a crop thinning method during which unripe green clusters of grapes are dropped from the vine to decrease the crop yields and improve the flavour concentration of the remaining grape bunches. After the green harvest the quality of the grape improves as numerous mature flavour compounds develop in the process.
Archili Utiashvili is a winemaker and a viticulturist. His goal is to produce high quality wine using grapes harvested in his own vineyard, cultivated since 1970 and located in the micro region of Tsinandali 510 meters above sea-level. He devotes his resources and efforts to researching, discovering and gathering historical data and other interesting information related to viticulture and winemaking.
Archili’s interest in winemaking and viticulture was built in his upbringing. His family have been winemakers, leading scientists in Kakheti region and senior managers in wine making industry for over a century passing their experience and knowledge from generation to generation.
Archil totally avoids artificial technological intervention in winemaking and only uses biologically and ecologically clean methods of handmade wine production. Archil produces 5000 bottles a year.
The history of Duruji Valley began in 1533, when King Levan of Kakheti founded the traditional Wine Cellar (Marani) in the heart of Kvareli. In 1924, Georgia’s Government decided to replace the old cellar with a grape recycling factory “Tsiteli (red) Marani”, later known as the “Kindzmarauli” Wine Factory.
‘Duruji Valley’ is based on an ancient tradition. Company’s main goal is to maintain highest quality through harmonies blend of centuries-long traditions with innovation. The company owns over 160 hectares of land, where unique Georgian vine is cultivated and high-quality wine is produced. Currently, Duruji Valley produces over 40 varieties of wine, brandy and grape vodka.
‘Duruji Valley’ winery is in Kakheti, eastern region of Georgia, known its winemaking history and traditions. The winery is surrounded by beautiful Caucasus Mountain and two rivers – Alazani and Duruji that provides the soil with high concertation of black slates. The high content of black slates reduces the average crop, but also significantly increases the quality of the wine.
The Pavilion Wines was founded in 2015 and our goal is to create limited and unique wines. Pavilion Wines Wine Cellar is located in the historic village of Vachnadziani in Kakheti region, Georgia. The enterprise equipped with modern technologies, allows us to use both Georgian traditional and classic winemaking. Every year wine cellar brings together a limited collection of wines created from the best harvests of endemic grape varieties.
We offer Collection wines 2017-2018 from vinemaker David Tamarashvili from Pavilion Wines
Several years ago, my wife, Eka, and I embarked on the journey to celebrate our union in the Georgian Orthodox Church. This endeavor entailed a significant change for me - adopting a new name through conversion and baptism. Given my Scandinavian Viking heritage, finding a suitable name was no simple task. However, thanks to the ingenious guidance of my spiritual mentor, Adam, the perfect solution emerged: "That Fellow Dane," or Danieli in Georgian! So, the next time you savor a glass of Danieli wine, raise it high and toast to "the guy from Denmark!"
Beyond the clever origin of the name, we also appreciate the inherent grace and harmonious balance that "Danieli" carries, mirroring the exceptional quality of our wines. As hopeless romantics, we hold a special affection for the historically rich and elegant Hotel Danieli in Venice. Our vineyards echo its heritage and the noble ambiance along the Grand Canal in this magnificent city overlooking the shimmering Adriatic Sea. In the end, the choice of "Danieli" came together seamlessly, much like the exquisite character of our wines themselves.
Olaf Malver
JSC Sarajishvili is the oldest manufacturers of liquor in Georgia. It was founded in 1884 by a Georgian aristocrat David Sarajishvili.
The first Georgian wine brand was created thanks to tireless efforts and tremendous desire of David Sarajishvili. He was the one to establish the first classical brandy making technology in Georgia. Sarajishvili has not only introduced the European wine making technologies in Georgia, but also conducted a study of the Georgian climate and soil for choosing right Georgian grape species and creating the best micro-zones for making vineyards. Established in 1884, the company produced its first product in 1887.
David Sarajishvili’s work was highly praised internationally in 1889-1912. As a result, Georgian brandy was awarded with gold medals at Paris, Brussels and Chicago exhibitions. In 1913 the company earned the exceptional status: “the provider of Russian Emperors house”.
After David Sarajishvili's death in 1911, the company was headed by his wife, Ekaterine Poraqishvili. She successfully continued her husband’s activity and also added her contribution to the development of brandy production in Georgia.
Having returned its name “Sarajishvili,” the company became the private property again in 1994. Due to the wide experience and professionalism, various alcohol reserves and the modern technologies “Sarajishvili House” remarkably continues David Sarajishvili’s activity, to which he has devoted the entire life. Production of “Sarajishvili House” has been awarded with more than 250 prizes at international exhibitions, including 6 super grand prizes, 35 grand prizes, 1 double gold, 1 big gold and 155 gold medals. Thanks to these awards “Sarajishvili House” has been recognized not only at the local, but also at the international market. Nowadays, Sarajishvili brandy is exported approximately in twenty countries of four continents.
