Georgian Wine Heritage
Join us in bringing centuries-old Georgian winemaking traditions to the United States
Our Heritage
Kardanakhi Estate, situated in the heart of Kakheti's Qiziki region, has been upholding Georgian winemaking traditions since 1904. The estate seamlessly integrates into the village's daily life, with local residents actively participating in its operations, fostering a strong bond between the winery and the community.
Traditional Methods
The estate employs traditional methods, notably aging wine in qvevri—large clay vessels buried underground—crafted by the renowned 19th-century potter Isidore Chubinidze. This technique, integral to Georgian winemaking heritage, imparts unique characteristics to the wine, reflecting the region's terroir.
Historic Estate
In 2020, the Kakheti Cooperative revitalized a historic 19th-century winery on the estate, restoring its original architecture and reinstating wine production after a century-long hiatus. This restoration not only preserved the estate's historical significance but also reinforced its role in the local community.
Our Wines
Rkatsiteli Qvevri
Traditional amber wine with extended skin contact, offering notes of dried apricot, honey, and walnuts.
Saperavi Qvevri
Bold red wine expressing Georgian terroir with intense dark fruit, spice, and earthy notes.
Rkatsiteli Tavankara
Pure top-fraction wine with exceptional clarity, featuring delicate floral aromas and crisp minerality.
Strategic Import Partnership
As EU wine tariffs reshape the U.S. import landscape, Georgian wines offer importers a unique combination of:
- Cost Advantage: 15-20% lower landed costs vs. European equivalents
- Market Differentiation: Exclusive access to 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition
- Diversification: Expand portfolio with unique amber and qvevri wines
- Growth Potential: Untapped market with growing consumer interest
Discover Georgian Wine
Amber Wine Heritage
Amber wine, also known as orange wine, represents Georgia's 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition. Created by fermenting white grapes with their skins in qvevri, this method produces wines with complex tannins, rich textures, and distinctive amber hues. The extended skin contact not only imparts color but also extracts unique flavors and antioxidants, resulting in wines that pair exceptionally well with diverse cuisines.
Natural Wine Philosophy
Our natural wines embody minimal intervention winemaking, allowing the true character of our organic grapes to shine through. We avoid artificial additives and excessive sulfites, instead relying on traditional methods that have sustained Georgian viticulture for millennia. This approach creates wines that are both authentic expressions of our terroir and living documents of our ancestral techniques.
Qvevri Tradition
Qvevri, UNESCO-recognized clay vessels, are the heart of Georgian winemaking. These egg-shaped amphoras are buried underground, providing ideal conditions for fermentation and aging. The clay's micro-oxygenation and consistent temperature control create wines with remarkable depth and character. Our qvevri, some dating back to the 19th century, continue this ancient practice, producing wines that connect past and present.
Aging Process
White wines typically spend 6 months in qvevri with skin contact, while reds age for up to 12 months, developing complexity and structure. The clay vessels' unique properties allow for gentle oxidation while maintaining freshness.
Seasonal Rhythms
Our winemaking follows nature's calendar, from spring vine training through autumn harvest and winter aging. Each season plays a crucial role in developing our wines' distinctive characteristics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Georgian wines are unique due to their 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition, use of qvevri (clay vessels) for fermentation and aging, and 525+ indigenous grape varieties found nowhere else in the world. The extended skin contact creates distinctive amber wines with complex tannins and rich textures.
Georgian wines enjoy 0% import duties under Most Favored Nation (MFN) status, while European wines face 15% tariffs. This creates a 15-20% cost advantage for Georgian wines, offering significant margin opportunities for importers.
Qvevri are large clay vessels buried underground for wine fermentation and aging. This UNESCO-recognized method provides natural temperature control and gentle oxidation, creating wines with unique characteristics and extended aging potential.
We are currently in the information collection phase, gathering interest from potential distributors and consumers. Register your interest to be notified when our wines become available in your market.
We're seeking passionate partners with valid import/distribution licenses, proven track records in wine distribution, and strong market presence. Contact us through our distributor inquiry form to discuss partnership opportunities.
We provide comprehensive support including staff training, marketing materials, technical specifications, regular market visits, and access to our winemaking expertise and resources.
