Georgian Wine - National Wine Agency

„State support during the harvest provides thousands of winegrowers and farmers with the opportunity to sustain their operations and the motivation to produce high-quality grapes, which is essential for the development of the winemaking industry and the competitiveness of Georgian wine in international markets. It is our priority to ensure that winegrowers’ grapes are not left unsold. The state intervenes in the grape procurement process during the harvest only when there is a surplus and no demand from the private sector. Accordingly, the state does not compete with the private sector,” stated Levan Mekhuzla, Chairman of the National Wine Agency.

According to the Chairman of the Agency, the state’s actions are entirely aimed at improving the quality of Georgian wine.

According to Levan Mekhuzla, it is of paramount importance that the raw materials used in winemaking are of high quality. With the changes planned for this year’s harvest, in the event that the state accepts surplus grapes, three price categories have been established. One of the objectives of this decision is to promote the production of high-quality wine and to enhance winegrowers’ motivation to cultivate high quality grapes.

“The Chairman of the National Wine Agency also addressed amendments to the Law of Georgia on Vine and Wine, particularly the introduction, starting this year, of a consent requirement for the cultivation of commercial vineyards. “Only individuals who intend to engage in commercial activities will be required to obtain consent for vineyard cultivation, and this requirement will not apply to those who plan to grow vineyards for personal use. When cultivating vineyards, attention must be paid to the quality of vine seedlings, the exposure of the vineyard, the soil, and the grape varieties. Everything must comply with the standards that ensure the production of high-quality grapes and wine. If an entrepreneur takes all these factors into account, there will be no obstacles to obtaining consent for vineyard cultivation,” he stated.

As the Chairman of the National Wine Agency noted, it is precisely through state support that the winemaking sector has achieved its current success. Winemaking is one of the country’s leading strategic sectors, and Georgian wine consistently ranks among Georgia’s top five export products. The country generates more than half a billion US dollars annually from the export of wine and spirits alone. In order to preserve and further develop the 8,000-year-old tradition of Georgian winemaking, the state reaffirms its continued support for the sector.

It is worth noting that from 2019 to 2021, the state implemented a vineyard cultivation support program. After it became evident from winegrower farmers that there was no longer a need for support in vineyard cultivation, the program was discontinued.