Wine Week in Marneuli
Within the framework of Wine Week, Wine festival was organized in the archeological center of Georgian vine and wine culture, Marneuli. The event was attended by the minister of Agriculture of Georgia, Levan Davitashvili, Ministry of agriculture system directors and representatives of local government.
The activity was opened by the minister of Agriculture of Georgia. As Levan Davitashvili stated, it\'s complimentary, that this is the first year Wine Week is celebrated in Marneuli. It would be nice if the the activity becomes traditional and next time will be celebrated in other regions of Qvemo QarTli.
“Marneuli is distinguished place for Georgia as for agricultural production, also for archeological discoveries – remains of vines of various historical epoch and other archeological discoveries. Here is a great potential of viticulture and winemaking. The event today is attended by many young enthusiast winemakers, that proves the great interest the local population towards viticulture and winemaking” - stated Levan Davitashvili.
As the minister noted, Qvemo Qartli region has a great potential of wine tourism development and it should be used as much as possible.
Within the framework of the festival, the guests had the opportunity to taste and buy Georgian wines of major companies and small family cellars. At the festival, there was the display of agricultural cooperatives\' production: wine, fruit, vegetable, sweets, tea, honey and etc. Within the framework of the event, there was a presentation of the exhibits found after archeological find organized by National Museum of Georgia in Marneuli, the photo display of archeological materials and sport competitions. There was a ceremonial of wine pressing in the winepress, boiling Tatara and making Churchxela.
The event was supported by National Wine Agency and organized by Georgian Wine association.
For information: Georgia has an eight thousand year continuous bond with wine culture, that is proved by many archeological discovery and historical fact. Archeologists found several grape stones dated by VI century B.C in the ruins of Gora, Marneuli, Qvemo Qartli, the south of Tbilisi. With morphological and ampelographic signs, it was appertained to cultivated variety of vine - “Vitis Vinifera Sativa”. The ancient trails of cultivated vine and grapes are also found in other neolith ruins near ruined Gora ( Shulaveri Gora, Gadachrili Gora, Khrami Great Gora, Arxulo Gora, Khizanaant Gora and etc.). Besides the grape stones, there are remains of cultivated chorale, legumes, farm tools and clay wares, that proves, that in the VI-V centuries B.C in neolith age, people living here were farming, growing vine and corns.