Georgian Wine - National Wine Agency

“Individuals who decide to plant vineyards for commercial purposes after May 1 of this year will be required to obtain consent for the establishment of commercial vineyards. This regulation will not apply to those who already have vineyards planted,” said the Chairman of the National Wine Agency of Georgia”, Levan Mekhuzla.

The Parliament of Georgia has already supported the amendments to the Law "On Vine and Wine" in the second reading. The law adds a norm that defines the concept of consent to the cultivation of a vineyard, which is defined as follows: a document issued by the National Wine Agency, a legal entity under public law, which gives a natural person and/or legal entity the right to cultivate an entrepreneurial vineyard.

After the Parliament amends the law, a relevant normative act will be developed by May 1, which will include the documentation to be submitted.

"We are leaving the vine to the next generation, so the vineyard should be designed for long-term investment. The farmer must maintain agrotechnical characteristics, varietal purity, and vineyard cultivation technology; the soil and the place where we grow the vineyard are crucial, because it is the place of origin that determines the quality of the wine. Similar regulations have been in effect in leading European wine-making countries for a long time. The quality of Georgian wine and its success in international markets depend on the quality of the vineyard," noted Levan Mekhuzla.

Under the new regulation, a person who arbitrarily cultivates a vineyard without an agreement will not be able to sell grapes or wine for commercial purposes. Only those who plan to conduct commercial activities will have to obtain permission to cultivate vineyards and will not apply to those who intend to cultivate vineyards for personal consumption.

The National Wine Agency issues a permit for vineyard cultivation free of charge.