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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Tourdo Ancestral Blend2022
- Regular price
- €27.61
- Sale price
- €27.61
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery TourdoVintages2022 / qnt.200Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – RuispiriGrape Rkatsiteli 25% · Mtsvane 25% · Khikhvi 25% · Vardisperi Rkatsiteli 25%
In Stock 200 -
Damiane Saperavi2023
- Regular price
- €8.02
- Sale price
- €8.02
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery DamianeVintages2023 / qnt.300Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – ChabinaaniGrape Saperavi
In Stock 300 -
Damiane Kisi2023
- Regular price
- €10.03
- Sale price
- €10.03
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery DamianeVintages2023 / qnt.1200Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – ChabinaaniGrape Kisi
In Stock 1200 -
Damiane Rkatsiteli2022
- Regular price
- €8.02
- Sale price
- €8.02
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery DamianeVintages2022 / qnt.600Wine type
Amber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – ChabinaaniGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 600 -
Nukriani Rkatsiteli20222021
- Regular price
- €8.29
- Sale price
- €8.29
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery NukrianiVintages2022 / qnt.35002021 / qnt.1500Wine type
Amber | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Signagi – NukrianiGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 5000 -
Napheri Rkatsiteli2023
- Regular price
- €7.00
- Sale price
- €7.00
- Regular price
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- Unit price
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Winery NapheriVintages2023 / qnt.1900Wine type
Amber | Alc. 11.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – KardanakhiGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 1900 -
Napheri Mtsvane2023
- Regular price
- €8.50
- Sale price
- €8.50
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery NapheriVintages2023 / qnt.2050Wine type
Amber | Alc. 11.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – AkhmetaGrape Mtsvane
In Stock 2050 -
Napheri Mtsvane Trendsetter2022Sold Out
- Regular price
- €8.50
- Sale price
- €8.50
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery NapheriVintages2022 / qnt.0Sold OutWine type
Amber | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – AkhmetaGrape Mtsvane
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Napheri Saperavi2023
- Regular price
- €8.50
- Sale price
- €8.50
- Regular price
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- Unit price
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Winery NapheriVintages2023 / qnt.2200Wine type
Red | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – KondoliGrape Saperavi
In Stock 2200 -
Napheri Saperavi Elegance2022
- Regular price
- €8.50
- Sale price
- €8.50
- Regular price
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- Unit price
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Winery NapheriVintages2022 / qnt.900Wine type
Red | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – KondoliGrape Saperavi
In Stock 900 -
Blackbird Wine Rkatsiteli Oak2021
- Regular price
- €8.30
- Sale price
- €8.30
- Regular price
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- Unit price
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Winery Kardanakhi EstateVintages2021 / qnt.1000Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Tsarapi PDO – KardanakhiGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 1000 -
Blackbird Wine Rkatsiteli Qvevri20202021
- Regular price
- €6.60
- Sale price
- €6.60
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Kardanakhi EstateVintages2020 / qnt.20002021 / qnt.2000Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Tsarapi PDO – KardanakhiGrape Rkatsiteli
In Stock 4000 -
Kardanakhi Estate Mtsvane2022
- Regular price
- €9.90
- Sale price
- €9.90
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Kardanakhi EstateVintages2022 / qnt.400Wine type
White | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Manavi PDO – KakabetiGrape Mtsvane
In Stock 400 -
Barbale Kindzmarauli Exceptional Harvest2019
- Regular price
- €11.60
- Sale price
- €11.60
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery BarbaleVintages2019 / qnt.500Wine type
Semi Sweet
Red | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Kindzmarauli PDOGrape Saperavi
In Stock 500 -
Barbale Rkatsiteli Khikhvi Exceptional Harvest2022
- Regular price
- €11.60
- Sale price
- €11.60
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery BarbaleVintages2022 / qnt.200Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – KvareliGrape Rkatsiteli · Khikhvi
In Stock 200 -
Archil's Wine Saperavi2019
- Regular price
- €10.96
- Sale price
- €10.96
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Archil's WineVintages2019 / qnt.500Wine type
Red | Alc. 15.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – KurdghelauriGrape Saperavi
In Stock 500 -
Archil's Wine Red Blend2019
- Regular price
- €10.96
- Sale price
- €10.96
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Archil's WineVintages2019 / qnt.1000Wine type
Red | Alc. 14.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – KurdghelauriGrape Cabernet Sauvignon 50% · Saperavi 50%
In Stock 1000 -
Archil's Wine Amber Blend2019
- Regular price
- €10.96
- Sale price
- €10.96
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Archil's WineVintages2019 / qnt.300Wine type
Amber | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – KurdghelauriGrape Rkatsiteli 50% · Mtsvane 50%
In Stock 300 -
Archil's Wine Saperavi Reserve2018
- Regular price
- €16.88
- Sale price
- €16.88
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Archil's WineVintages2018 / qnt.200Wine type
Red | Alc. 15.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – KurdghelauriGrape Saperavi
In Stock 200 -
Archil's Wine Kisi-Mtsvane Reserve2018
- Regular price
- €16.88
- Sale price
- €16.88
- Regular price
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- Unit price
- per
Winery Archil's WineVintages2018 / qnt.100Wine type
Amber | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750ml
Terroir Kakheti – Telavi – ShalauriGrape Kisi 50% · Mtsvane 50%
In Stock 100
Amber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
Red | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750ml
White | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750ml
