Black Sea Coastal zone
Viticulture and wine making of these regions is situated along the Black Sea coastal area, the vineyards are at 2-4 m above sea level and extend up to 500 meters. The climate is subtropical, humid, in some areas even wetland and therefore, the vine has a long vegetation period.
Guria –Samegrelo region is probably one of the oldest centers of winemaking in Georgia. The first data antique sources just relate to Colchis. The current winemaking history of these two districts is linked with two foreigners: Scottish Jacob Mar in Guria, and French Achille Murat in Samegrelo. In the 20s of the 19th century Jacob Mar settled in Bukistsikhe (Chokhatauri district) and made wines cultivated in high vineyards Jani, Skhilatubni and Mtevandidi. Achille Murat was one of the first who organized in Georgia a European-style enterprise. Ojaleshi made by Achille Murat and Krakhuna grape variety brought Imereti and cultivated was famous.
First of all, this region is distinguished by vine planting culture which had been almost entirely cultivated in high vineyards until the 19th century. Out of the local historical varieties the most known are Guruli: Chkhaveri, Jani, Mtevandidi, Skhilatubani, Sakmiela; Mengrelian: Ojaleshi, Godaaturi, Chvitiluri, Chechipeshi.
Vintage in these regions started very late, November and sometimes lasted even until the end of January.
Abkhazia and Adjara. Abkhazia is considered the historical region of winemaking. Vine here grows best of all up to the height of 400 to 800 meters. Earlier the winemaking here was developed quite at a high level, but powdery mildew and gray mold damaged this region very much.
The local sorts are: Amlakhu, Avasikhva, Kaghighi, Agshibi, Akabuli, Absuaj, Lakoaj, Khapshira, Khunaliji and others. Besides the local varieties Tsolikouri, Ojaleshi, Chkhaveri, Krakhuna give good results in Abkhazia.
As for Adjara, in recent years there has started the restoration of the old grape varieties and efforts are made to follow actively the winemaking. historical varieties in Adjara the best known are: Brola, Khopaturi, Klarjuli, Mekrenchkhi, Burdzghala, Kviristava, Shvashura, Jineshi, Satsuri, Batomura.