Get to know the grape varieties we grow

We currently grow the following four varieties in our vineyard in Kardenakhi:

SAPERAVI
Saperavi is the most widely cultivated red wine variety in Georgia. It has an extremely deep red color. It is the most important red wine variety in Georgia with an incredible range of flavor nuances.

It originated in western Georgia and spread from there to eastern Georgia. Due to its deep red color, Saperavi is also often used as a teinturier red wine 

RKATSITELI
Rkatsiteli is an indigenous and the most cultivated white Georgian grape variety. The name Rkatsiteli translates roughly as “red stem”. The grapes are “very long” with a large stalk. When harvested, they are golden yellow in color with a few black dots. Near the Georgian city of Vani, 8,000-year-old shards of clay jars containing seeds from this grape variety have been found.

KHIKHVI
Khikhvi is a very old, indigenous white Georgian grape variety that is mainly grown in eastern Georgia. Khikhvi is an important variety for the production of noble sweet dessert wines. In particular, it was the main grape variety in the village of Kardenakhi before the communist era. The best-known synonym is “Janamura” in the Telavi region. However, it is also cultivated sporadically in the Kartli region.

KISI
Kisi is an autochthonous white Georgian grape variety that is mainly cultivated in the eastern Georgian region of Kakheti. There are also a few in the Kartli region. It ripens around two weeks before Rkatsiteli. It is often blended with other local varieties such as Mtsvane Kakhuri or Rkatsiteli.

In Georgia, there are 525 indigenous Georgian grape varieties by name. It must be said, however, that a grape variety often has a different name in a different valley. What is certain, however, is that around 400 grape varieties can be distinguished ampelographically.

Currently, 38 grape varieties are approved for commercial winemaking under their own name.


The most important varieties in Georgia are:

White: Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane Kakhuri, Goruli Mtsvane, Kisi, Khikhvi, Chinebuli, Tsolikauri, Tsitski, Krakhuna

Red: Saperavi, Saperavi Budeshuri, Shavkapito, Tavkveri, Assuretuli Shavi, Otskhanuri Sapere, Ojaleshi, Aleksandrouli, Mujuretuli