Kakheti
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Kakheti is the most important wine region in Georgia in every sense. It has the biggest number of wineries, appellations of origin, diverse styles and terroirs. It is the birthplace of the Kakhetian winemaking method, recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
And what a heritage it is. Archaeological excavations confirm that grapes have been cultivated in Kakheti for at least 7,000 years. In 2012, archaeologists discovered clay vessels dating back to 5000 BC in the village of Dzegvi. Over the centuries, local winegrowers have fought to preserve and prosper their vines, and today, Kakheti's vineyards account for 65% of the total number of vineyards in Georgia and produce 80% of the country's wine volume.
Perhaps the most iconic wines for the region are amber wines made from white grapes fermented with the skin, which gives them a signature color, aroma, and rich tannic taste for those who try them for the first time.
Terroir Features
Kakheti terroir is exceptionally diverse. In this large region in the east of Georgia, vineyards are grown on the plains along the Alazani River and partly right terraces of the Iori River, on the hills, and in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains. Thus, there is a great diversity of soils and climatic features in each micro-zone of Kakheti, and the sheer variety of wines produced is outstanding.
Kakheti is quite distant from the Black Sea, so it experiences a transient continental climate characterized by a relatively dry and hot summer and most precipitation falling during winter. Most of Kakheti's vineyards are 200–750 meters above sea level. The prevailing soil type is black brown, humus-like, reddish-colored, calcareous clay with high iron content. All of it contributes a depth of flavor and rustic, earthy notes to the local wines.
The Kakhetian Method
The traditional Kakhetian winemaking method involves fermenting both white and red grape must in qvevris, large clay vessels, with the skins and stems of the grapes. The skins give the wine a rich and complex aroma, while the stems add structure and tannins. During fermentation, the must and pomace are regularly mixed, but after the skins, seeds, and stems settle to the bottom, the qvevris are sealed with a lid and left untouched for about 6 months until spring or even longer, depending on the winemaker's decision.
Districts & Micro-zones (PDOs)
Kakheti is divided into several municipalities, with 20 designated micro-zones with PDO status (European Union certification of Protected Designation of Origin) —more than in any other region of the country.
While wines made using the Kakhetian method are the calling card of the region and are produced everywhere, some PDOs specialize in wines made using the European method, such as Tsinandali for whites and Teliani for reds.
List of PDOs
- Akhashenisemi-sweet red
- Akhmetadry, semidry, semisweet white
- Akhoebidry red
- Gurjaanidry white
- Kakheti (Kakhuri)white, amber, rose, red with
- Kardanakhidry amber or fortified white
- Kindzmaraulisemi-sweet red
Main grape varieties
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Nikifore Khashmi Saperavi2021
- Regular price
- €10.11
- Sale price
- €10.11
- Regular price
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Winery NikiforeVintages2021 / qnt.600Wine type
Red | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Saperavi Khashmi PDOGrape Saperavi
In Stock 600 -
Ozhio Estate Mtsvane Qvevri2022
- Regular price
- €11.22
- Sale price
- €11.22
- Regular price
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- Unit price
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Winery Ozhio EstateVintages2022 / qnt.1500Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – OzhioGrape Mtsvane
In Stock 1500 -
Ozhio Estate Kisi Qvevri2022
- Regular price
- €11.22
- Sale price
- €11.22
- Regular price
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Winery Ozhio EstateVintages2022 / qnt.1500Wine type
Amber | Alc. 11.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – OzhioGrape Kisi
In Stock 1500 -
Ozhio Estate Kisi Qvevri Reserve2022
- Regular price
- €13.33
- Sale price
- €13.33
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Ozhio EstateVintages2022 / qnt.2000Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – OzhioGrape Kisi
In Stock 2000 -
Ozhio Estate Saperavi Qvevri Reserve2022
- Regular price
- €13.33
- Sale price
- €13.33
- Regular price
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Winery Ozhio EstateVintages2022 / qnt.4000Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – OzhioGrape Saperavi
In Stock 4000 -
Avandi Adamati Kindzmarauli2022
- Regular price
- €4.95
- Sale price
- €4.95
- Regular price
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Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.218Wine type
Semi Sweet
Red | Alc. 11.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kindzmarauli PDOGrape Saperavi
In Stock 218 -
Avandi Akhoebi2022
- Regular price
- €6.52
- Sale price
- €6.52
- Regular price
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Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.62Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhoebi PDO – KardanakhiGrape Saperavi
In Stock 62 -
Avandi Saperavi Qvevri2022
- Regular price
- €5.94
- Sale price
- €5.94
- Regular price
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Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.208Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – TelaviGrape Saperavi
In Stock 208 -
Avandi Mukuzani Reserve2022
- Regular price
- €8.67
- Sale price
- €8.67
- Regular price
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Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.5363Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Mukuzani PDO – MukuzaniGrape Saperavi
In Stock 5363 -
Avandi Adamati Mukuzani2022
- Regular price
- €4.95
- Sale price
- €4.95
- Regular price
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Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.412Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Mukuzani PDO – MukuzaniGrape Saperavi
In Stock 412 -
Avandi Adamati Saperavi2020
- Regular price
- €4.95
- Sale price
- €4.95
- Regular price
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Winery AvandiVintages2020 / qnt.562Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – GurjaaniGrape SaperaviIn Stock 562 -
Avandi Tsarapi2022
- Regular price
- €5.58
- Sale price
- €5.58
- Regular price
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Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.96Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Tsarapi PDO – KardanakhiGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 96 -
Avandi Rkatsiteli2019
- Regular price
- €4.95
- Sale price
- €4.95
- Regular price
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Winery AvandiVintages2019 / qnt.120Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – GurjaaniGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 120 -
Avandi 3 Qvevri2022
- Regular price
- €6.19
- Sale price
- €6.19
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Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.905Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – GurjaaniGrape Rkatsiteli 50% · Khikhvi 30% · Mtsvane 20%
In Stock 905 -
Avandi Kisi2022
- Regular price
- €5.58
- Sale price
- €5.58
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.69Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – GurjaaniGrape Kisi
In Stock 69 -
Avandi Khikhvi2022
- Regular price
- €5.58
- Sale price
- €5.58
- Regular price
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Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.1176Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – AkhmetaGrape Khikhvi
In Stock 1176 -
Avandi Mtsvane2022
- Regular price
- €5.58
- Sale price
- €5.58
- Regular price
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- per
Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.1165Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – SagarejoGrape Mtsvane
In Stock 1165 -
Avandi Adamati Manavi2022
- Regular price
- €4.54
- Sale price
- €4.54
- Regular price
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Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.1282Wine type
White | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Manavi PDOGrape Mtsvane
In Stock 1282 -
Avandi Adamati Tsinandali2022
- Regular price
- €4.54
- Sale price
- €4.54
- Regular price
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Winery AvandiVintages2022 / qnt.192Wine type
White | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Tsinandali PDOGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 192 -
Natro Winery Saperavi2023
- Regular price
- €7.36
- Sale price
- €7.36
- Regular price
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Winery Natro WineryVintages2023 / qnt.285Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Sagarejo – ManaviGrape Saperavi
In Stock 285
Red | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
White | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
