Tsageri hosts the second Racha-Lechkhumi wine festival.
The second Racha-Lechkhumi wine festival was held in Tsageri with the support of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and the National Wine Agency.
This year, 65 large, medium, and small wineries of the Racha-Lechkhumi region participated in the festival, showcasing their products to the guests, sommeliers, importers, Georgian exporters, and representatives of trade networks invited from European countries.
The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Yuri Nozadze, and the Chairman of the National Wine Agency, Mr. Levan Mekhuzla, attended the festival.
"The mentioned event is part of the targeted program of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, through which we finance and support marketing events at both local and international levels.
Our goal is to support wine-producing companies and small wineries to promote their products and increase awareness, sales, and revenues, " said the Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Yuri Nozadze.
According to the Chairman of the National Wine Agency, Mr. Levan Mekhuzla, the Racha-Lechkhumi Wine Festival contributes to the development of the viticulture and winemaking field in the region.
"Racha-Lechkhumi is Georgia's most important wine-growing region, distinguished by the unique local grape varieties and quality wines. The festival is a good opportunity for local producers to attract new trade partners. Moreover, to diversify the Georgian wine markets, we actively continue marketing activities in strategic markets such as the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Poland, the Baltic countries, China, South Korea, and Japan, where the unique wines of the Racha-Lechkhumi region are properly presented alongside wines from other regions of Georgia" said Mr. Levan Mekhuzla.
Various events were arranged throughout the festival to exhibit the region's gastronomic traditions and ethno-culture; the festival ended with a solemn concert.
Supporters of the Racha-Lechkhumi Wine Festival are also the administration of the State Representative-Governor Administration in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti regions, Majoritarian MP's Bureau in Racha-Lechkhumi-Svaneti region, Ambrolauri, Tsageri, Oni and Lentekhi Municipality Regional Service.
It should be mentioned that within the preparations for the festival, in April 2023, with the support of the National Wine Agency, Racha-Lechkhumi wine producers had the opportunity to attend a one-week professional training course, where the participants received information from industry specialists on the following issues: Basics of viticulture, cadastre of vineyards, preparation of export documentation, wine labeling, marketing, certification, and others. Thorough knowledge of the mentioned issues is the most important factor for developing small wineries.
Last year, the city of Ambrolauri hosted the first Racha-Lechkhumi festival.