Kartli
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The Kartli region is the crossroads where the eastern and western traditions of Georgian life and winemaking converge. This historic land is home to Georgia's capitals: the ancient city of Mtskheta and the vibrant modern metropolis of Tbilisi.
Kartli today is a region on the rise, actively developing and revitalizing its rich heritage. Within the Georgian winemaking landscape, the region stands out for its unique characteristics, including a significant production of sparkling wines and a notable presence of European grape varieties. While Kartli also cultivates the iconic Kakhetian Rkatsiteli and Saperavi, it has its own shining stars: Chinuri, Goruli Mtsvane, Tavkveri, and Shavkapito.
Administratively and traditionally, Kartli is divided into two sub-regions: Kvemo (Lower) Kartli and Shida (Inner) Kartli to the south and northwest of Tbilisi, respectively.
Shida (Inner) Kartli
Shida Kartli is the place where ancient wine vessels were discovered in 2017, the oldest of which dates back to 5980 BC. Since then, Georgia has officially been recognized as the country with the longest continuous winemaking history, and the Shida Kartli sub-region is where this history began.
This part of Kartli produces wines of many different styles and technologies, but elegant sparkling and perfect balanced white wines deserve special attention: the northern slopes of the Trialeti Range are ideal for their production.
Kvemo (Lower) Kartli
The vineyards of Kvemo Kartli sprawl across a vast territory surrounding the towns of Rustavi and Bolnisi. The former serves as the administrative capital of Kvemo Kartli, while the latter is its main winemaking hub.
Bolnisi (originally Katharinenfeld) was founded in 1819 by 116 immigrant families from Swabia, Germany. By the 1840s, the area had become known for its high-quality wines from local and international grape varietiHowever, since then, the sub-region has begun its rapid rise to the top: in 2018, there were already dozens of producers, and the same year, the vineyards around Bolnisi were awarded PDO statuses, such as Riesling and Pinot Noir. A century later, in 1941, the German families were deported to Siberia and Kazakhstan, and in 1944, the town got its current name, Bolnisi. By the time the Soviet Union collapsed, there were virtually no significant vineyards left in the area, and by 2015, only a few producers were operating in the region.
However, since then, the sub-region has begun its rapid rise to the top: in 2018, there were already dozens of producers, and the same year, the vineyards around Bolnisi were awarded PDO status.
Terroir Features
The Kartli climate can be generally characterized as moderately humid, with mild winters and long, warm summers. The Caucasus Mountains help to protect the region from cold air masses from the north, while the Black Sea to the west helps balance the temperatures.
The region extends north to south, so soils, precipitation levels, and other characteristics can vary significantly from vineyard to vineyard. While rainfall is generally sufficient for dry-farmed viticulture throughout the region, the Asureti area (Tetritsqaro district) in the south can get pretty dry, so the vines may sometimes require irrigation. Multiple rivers of all sizes flow through the region, moderating the climate of the vineyards near them and enriching the soil diversity with alluvial soils.
Districts & Micro-zones (PDOs)
Kartli is renowned in Georgia for its exceptional sparkling wines — Ateni got their first PDO in 2007. The region encompasses numerous municipalities but currently only has four PDOs, two of which, Asuretuli Shala and Okami, were established in 2022. Overall, the number of PDOs is likely to increase in the future.
Of the four appellations, only Bolnisi PDO regulates the production of amber wine. Nevertheless, the ageing process, the percentage of pomace used, and the decision to add stems are all left to the winemakers' discretion. However, while amber wines are produced throughout the region, they remain more significant for the neighboring Kakheti.
Main grape varieties
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Tsero Wine Chinuri2023
- Regular price
- €7.83
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- €7.83
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Winery Tsero WineVintages2023 / qnt.500Wine typeWhite | Alc. 11.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Mtskheta – TserovaniGrape Chinuri 85% · Goruli Mtsvane 15%In Stock 500 -
Qvevriseuli Pet Nat Chinuri - Goruli Mtsvane2022
- Regular price
- €13.72
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- €13.72
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Winery QvevriseuliVintages2022 / qnt.400Wine typeSparkling White | Alc. 11.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Gori – AteniGrape Chinuri 50% · Goruli Mtsvane 50%In Stock 400 -
Qvevriseuli Dzelshavi - Tavkveri2022
- Regular price
- €10.97
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- €10.97
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Winery QvevriseuliVintages2022 / qnt.350Wine typeRed | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Khashuri – PleviGrape Dzelshavi 50% · Tavkveri 50%In Stock 350 -
Beridzeta Marani Zesofeli Kisi Traditional2023
- Regular price
- €17.40
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- €17.40
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Winery Beridzeta Marani ZesofeliVintages2023 / qnt.600Wine typeAmber | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Mtskheta – JighauraGrape KisiIn Stock 600 -
Beridzeta Marani Zesofeli Khikhvi Traditional2023
- Regular price
- €17.40
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- €17.40
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Winery Beridzeta Marani ZesofeliVintages2023 / qnt.600Wine typeAmber | Alc. 15.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Mtskheta – JighauraGrape KhikhviIn Stock 600 -
Beridzeta Marani Zesofeli Muscat2023
- Regular price
- €17.40
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- €17.40
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Winery Beridzeta Marani ZesofeliVintages2023 / qnt.1000Wine typeWhite | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Mtskheta – JighauraGrape MuscatIn Stock 1000 -
Beridzeta Marani Zesofeli Chinuri2023
- Regular price
- €17.40
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- €17.40
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Winery Beridzeta Marani ZesofeliVintages2023 / qnt.1600Wine typeWhite | Alc. 11.3% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Mtskheta – JighauraGrape ChinuriIn Stock 1600 -
Beridzeta Marani Zesofeli Goruli Mtsvane2023
- Regular price
- €17.40
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- €17.40
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Winery Beridzeta Marani ZesofeliVintages2023 / qnt.600Wine typeWhite | Alc. 14.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Mtskheta – JighauraGrape Goruli MtsvaneIn Stock 600 -
Beridzeta Marani Zesofeli Khikhvi Classical2023
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- €17.40
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- €17.40
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Winery Beridzeta Marani ZesofeliVintages2023 / qnt.500Wine typeWhite | Alc. 15.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Mtskheta – JighauraGrape KhikhviIn Stock 500 -
Chateau Ateni Buza2023
- Regular price
- €23.11
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- €23.11
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Winery Chateau AteniVintages2023 / qnt.400Wine typeRed | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Gori – AteniGrape BuzaIn Stock 400 -
Chateau Ateni Goruli Mtsvane2022
- Regular price
- €15.41
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- €15.41
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Winery Chateau AteniVintages2022 / qnt.1000Wine typeAmber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Gori – AteniGrape Goruli MtsvaneIn Stock 1000 -
Chateau Ateni Khidistauri2023
- Regular price
- €15.41
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- €15.41
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Winery Chateau AteniVintages2023 / qnt.1000Wine typeRed | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Gori – AteniGrape Chinuri 60% · Goruli Mtsvane 20% · Tavkveri 20%In Stock 1000 -
Chateau Ateni Atenuri2023
- Regular price
- €15.41
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- €15.41
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Winery Chateau AteniVintages2023 / qnt.2000Wine typeWhite | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Ateni PDO – AteniGrape Chinuri 70% · Goruli Mtsvane 30%In Stock 2000 -
Chateau Ateni Pet Nat Brut2023
- Regular price
- €19.22
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- €19.22
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Winery Chateau AteniVintages2023 / qnt.800Wine typeSparkling White | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Gori – AteniGrape Chinuri 70% · Goruli Mtsvane 30%In Stock 800 -
Chateau Ateni Elisabeth Brut2021
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- €19.22
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- €19.22
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Winery Chateau AteniVintages2021 / qnt.1000Wine typeSparkling Rose | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Gori – AteniGrape Chinuri 60% · Goruli Mtsvane 20% · Tavkveri 20%In Stock 1000 -
Chateau Ateni Atenuri Brut2021
- Regular price
- €19.22
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- €19.22
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Winery Chateau AteniVintages2021 / qnt.1000Wine typeSparkling White | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Ateni PDO – AteniGrape Chinuri 70% · Goruli Mtsvane 30%In Stock 1000 -
Chateau Ateni Tavkveri2023
- Regular price
- €15.41
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- €15.41
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Winery Chateau AteniVintages2023 / qnt.600Wine typeRose | Alc. 12.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Gori – AteniGrape TavkveriIn Stock 600 -
Angura Red2022
- Regular price
- €9.68
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- €9.68
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Winery AnguraVintages2022 / qnt.452Wine typeRed | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Tetritsqaro – AsuretiGrape Tavkveri 50% · Asuretuli Shala 40% · Saperavi 10%In Stock 452 -
Angura Amber2022
- Regular price
- €9.68
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- €9.68
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Winery AnguraVintages2022 / qnt.400Wine typeAmber | Alc. 12.5% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Tetritsqaro – AsuretiGrape Goruli Mtsvane 45% · Chinuri 45% · Rkatsiteli 10%In Stock 400 -
Kobuladze Cellar Saperavi20222021
- Regular price
- €7.80
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- €7.80
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Winery Kobuladze CellarVintages2022 / qnt.21332021 / qnt.1140Wine typeRed | Alc. 13.0% | Vol. 750mlTerroir Kartli – Bolnisi PDOGrape SaperaviIn Stock 3273