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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JAnaani Wine Cellar Rkatsiteli2022
- Regular price
- €11.90
- Sale price
- €11.90
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery JAnaani Wine CellarVintages2022 / qnt.350Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.2% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – JanaaniGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 350 -
Rotcho's Vineyards Saperavi2021
- Regular price
- €13.28
- Sale price
- €13.28
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Rotcho's VineyardsVintages2021 / qnt.1800Wine type
Red | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – KvareliGrape Saperavi
In Stock 1800 -
Rotcho's Vineyards Mtsvane2021
- Regular price
- €11.62
- Sale price
- €11.62
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Rotcho's VineyardsVintages2021 / qnt.200Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – KvareliGrape Mtsvane
In Stock 200 -
Rotcho's Vineyards Khikhvi2022
- Regular price
- €11.62
- Sale price
- €11.62
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Rotcho's VineyardsVintages2022 / qnt.400Wine type
Amber | Alc. 14.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – KvareliGrape Khikhvi
In Stock 400 -
Rotcho's Vineyards Rkatsiteli2021
- Regular price
- €11.62
- Sale price
- €11.62
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Rotcho's VineyardsVintages2021 / qnt.200Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – KvareliGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 200 -
Ibero Saperavi20242023Sold Out
- Regular price
- €7.95
- Sale price
- €7.95
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Ibero WineryVintages2024 / qnt.13002023 / qnt.0Sold OutWine type
Red | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – VachnadzianiGrape Saperavi
In Stock 1300 -
Ibero Rkatsiteli20242023Sold Out2022Sold Out
- Regular price
- €7.95
- Sale price
- €7.95
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Ibero WineryVintages2024 / qnt.20002023 / qnt.0Sold Out2022 / qnt.0Sold OutWine type
Amber | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – VachnadzianiGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 2000 -
Ibero Khikhvi20242023Sold Out
- Regular price
- €7.95
- Sale price
- €7.95
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Ibero WineryVintages2024 / qnt.10002023 / qnt.0Sold OutWine type
Amber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – VachnadzianiGrape Khikhvi
In Stock 1000 -
Ibero Kisi20242023Sold Out
- Regular price
- €7.95
- Sale price
- €7.95
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Ibero WineryVintages2024 / qnt.10002023 / qnt.0Sold OutWine type
Amber | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – VachnadzianiGrape Kisi
In Stock 1000 -
Shakriani Estate Dream Saperavi202420232022
- Regular price
- €7.82
- Sale price
- €7.82
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Shakriani EstateVintages2024 / qnt.15002023 / qnt.4502022 / qnt.450Wine type
Red | Alc. 14.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kvareli – ShakrianiGrape Saperavi
In Stock 2400 -
Shakriani Estate D,Onises Saperavi20222021
- Regular price
- €8.03
- Sale price
- €8.03
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Shakriani EstateVintages2022 / qnt.9002021 / qnt.400Wine type
Red | Alc. 15.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kvareli – ShakrianiGrape Saperavi
In Stock 1300 -
Shakriani Estate D,Onises Rkatsiteli2022
- Regular price
- €7.23
- Sale price
- €7.23
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Shakriani EstateVintages2022 / qnt.680Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kvareli – ShakrianiGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 680 -
Shakriani Estate Kisi20242023
- Regular price
- €7.82
- Sale price
- €7.82
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Shakriani EstateVintages2024 / qnt.10002023 / qnt.400Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kvareli – ShakrianiGrape Kisi
In Stock 1400 -
Menabde Wines Khashmi Saperavi2022
- Regular price
- €19.98
- Sale price
- €19.98
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Menabde WinesVintages2022 / qnt.500Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Saperavi Khashmi PDOGrape Saperavi
In Stock 500 -
Gvinadze Winery Saperavi2022
- Regular price
- €14.44
- Sale price
- €14.44
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Gvinadze WineryVintages2022 / qnt.500Wine type
Red | Alc. 14.8% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kvareli – ShildaGrape Saperavi
In Stock 500 -
Naperebi Rkatsiteli2023
- Regular price
- €14.46
- Sale price
- €14.46
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery NaperebiVintages2023 / qnt.600Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kvareli – ShildaGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 600 -
Naperebi Kisi - Rkatsiteli2021
- Regular price
- €14.46
- Sale price
- €14.46
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery NaperebiVintages2021 / qnt.500Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kvareli – ShildaGrape Kisi 50% · Rkatsiteli 50%
In Stock 500 -
Naperebi Saperavi Oak2022
- Regular price
- €14.46
- Sale price
- €14.46
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery NaperebiVintages2022 / qnt.900Wine type
Red | Alc. 15.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kvareli – ShildaGrape Saperavi
In Stock 900 -
Naperebi Saperavi2022
- Regular price
- €14.46
- Sale price
- €14.46
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery NaperebiVintages2022 / qnt.3200Wine type
Red | Alc. 15.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kvareli – ShildaGrape Saperavi
In Stock 3200 -
Dimitri Wine Khashmi Saperavi2022
- Regular price
- €10.04
- Sale price
- €10.04
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Dimitri WineVintages2022 / qnt.700Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Saperavi Khashmi PDOGrape Saperavi
In Stock 700
Amber | Alc. 13.2% | Vol. 750ml
Red | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
