Kakheti
Share
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
-
Natro Winery Saperavi2023
- Regular price
- €7.36
- Sale price
- €7.36
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Natro WineryVintages2023 / qnt.285Wine typeRed | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Sagarejo – ManaviGrape SaperaviIn Stock 285 -
Gebrale Chitistvala - Kakhuri Mtsvivani2023
- Regular price
- €10.87
- Sale price
- €10.87
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery GebraleVintages2023 / qnt.500Wine typeAmber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Gurjaani – VachnadzianiGrape Chitistvala · Kakhuri MtsvivaniIn Stock 500 -
Utskinari Tsulukidzis Tetra2022
- Regular price
- €8.55
- Sale price
- €8.55
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery UtskinariVintages2022 / qnt.300Wine typeAmber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Ambrolauri – SadmeliGrape Tsulukidzis TetraIn Stock 300 -
Utskinari Saperavi2022
- Regular price
- €6.84
- Sale price
- €6.84
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery UtskinariVintages2022 / qnt.500Wine typeRed | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Telavi – KondoliGrape SaperaviIn Stock 500 -
Utskinari Rkatsiteli2022
- Regular price
- €5.13
- Sale price
- €5.13
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery UtskinariVintages2022 / qnt.700Wine typeAmber | Alc. 13.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Telavi – KondoliGrape RkatsiteliIn Stock 700 -
Utskinari Mtsvane2021
- Regular price
- €6.84
- Sale price
- €6.84
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery UtskinariVintages2021 / qnt.700Wine typeAmber | Alc. 12.8% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – MagraaniGrape MtsvaneIn Stock 700 -
Utskinari Kisi2021
- Regular price
- €6.84
- Sale price
- €6.84
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery UtskinariVintages2021 / qnt.900Wine typeAmber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – MagraaniGrape KisiIn Stock 900 -
Utskinari Khikhvi2021
- Regular price
- €8.55
- Sale price
- €8.55
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery UtskinariVintages2021 / qnt.500Wine typeAmber | Alc. 15.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Akhmeta – MagraaniGrape KhikhviIn Stock 500 -
Gavazi Estate Saperavi2023
- Regular price
- €7.67
- Sale price
- €7.67
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Gavazi EstateVintages2023 / qnt.3000Wine typeRed | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Kvareli – GavaziGrape SaperaviIn Stock 3000 -
Gavazi Estate Kisi2023
- Regular price
- €7.26
- Sale price
- €7.26
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Gavazi EstateVintages2023 / qnt.2000Wine typeAmber | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Kvareli – GavaziGrape KisiIn Stock 2000 -
Dano Winery Khornabuji Rkatsiteli2024Pre-Order
- Regular price
- €7.78
- Sale price
- €7.78
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Dano WineryVintages2024 / qnt.800Pre-OrderWine typeAmber | Alc. 12-14% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Signagi – KhornabujiGrape RkatsiteliIn Stock 800 -
Dano Winery Udedo2024Pre-Order
- Regular price
- €7.78
- Sale price
- €7.78
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Dano WineryVintages2024 / qnt.1000Pre-OrderWine typeWhite | Alc. 11.5-13.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Signagi – KhornabujiGrape RkatsiteliIn Stock 1000 -
Dano Winery Orni2024Pre-Order
- Regular price
- €7.78
- Sale price
- €7.78
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Dano WineryVintages2024 / qnt.800Pre-OrderWine typeAmber | Alc. 12-14% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Signagi – KhornabujiGrape Vardisperi Rkatsiteli 70% · Rkatsiteli 30%In Stock 800 -
Pat'ra Marani Kisi2022
- Regular price
- €11.72
- Sale price
- €11.72
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Pat'ra MaraniVintages2022 / qnt.1500Wine typeAmber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Sagarejo – ManaviGrape KisiIn Stock 1500 -
Pat'ra Marani Rkatsiteli2022
- Regular price
- €9.77
- Sale price
- €9.77
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Pat'ra MaraniVintages2022 / qnt.2500Wine typeAmber | Alc. 12.8% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Signagi – Tibaani · NukrianiGrape RkatsiteliIn Stock 2500 -
Sekhniashvili Winery Mtsvane2022
- Regular price
- €11.48
- Sale price
- €11.48
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Sekhniashvili WineryVintages2022 / qnt.600Wine typeAmber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Sagarejo – BadiauriGrape MtsvaneIn Stock 600 -
Sekhniashvili Winery Rkatsiteli2022
- Regular price
- €10.30
- Sale price
- €10.30
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Sekhniashvili WineryVintages2022 / qnt.1000Wine typeAmber | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Sagarejo – BadiauriGrape RkatsiteliIn Stock 1000 -
Sekhniashvili Winery Saperavi Budeshuri2023
- Regular price
- €13.46
- Sale price
- €13.46
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery Sekhniashvili WineryVintages2023 / qnt.1500Wine typeRed | Alc. 13.2% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Sagarejo – BadiauriGrape Budeshuri SaperaviIn Stock 1500 -
JAnaani Wine Cellar Manaseli Quvee2022
- Regular price
- €7.94
- Sale price
- €7.94
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery JAnaani Wine CellarVintages2022 / qnt.350Wine typeRed | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Telavi – RuispiriGrape Rkatsiteli 55% · Mtsvane 15% · Saperavi 15% · Zhghia 15%In Stock 350 -
JAnaani Wine Cellar Mtsvane Kakhuri2022
- Regular price
- €9.92
- Sale price
- €9.92
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Winery JAnaani Wine CellarVintages2022 / qnt.350Wine typeAmber | Alc. 13.2% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kakheti – Telavi – RuispiriGrape MtsvaneIn Stock 350