Imereti & Shida Kartli wine trip - August, 17
Iced-cold petnats and crispy still wines of Kartli & Imereti, blend of Georgian and French wine traditions, astonishing hilly vinyards, lavish Imeretian feast and indigious grape varieties you have never heard before! That was our trip in an essence.
Our first stop was at Kaklebi in Tbilisi where Giorgi Laliashvili is producing organic wines using natural, pesticide-free methods. Lamiskana Estate nurtures nine grape varieties, including Chinuri, Goruli Mtsvane, Mukhamtsvane, Tavkveri, Danakharuli, Buza, Chakapa, and Mtsvivani at the vinyards adjacent to the historic Palace Jambakur-Orbeliani in Lamiskana, Shida Kartli. It's worth noting that Lamiskana Estate combines Georgian heritage with French wine expertise. Their prominent Pet Nats are produced in the same way as French champagnes.
Afterwards we headed to Makhatauri village located next to Sachhere in Imereti to visit Ucha’s wine cellar. Our host there - Ucha Macharashvili, who is a passionate winemaker who took over his family’s 150-year-old wine tradition in 2018. He grows unique grapes like Tsitska, Tsolikouri, Dzelshavi, and rare Rko Tetri and Rko Tsiteli varieties. Using old Georgian methods, he makes amazing wines, including some fantastic Pet Nats. The cellar, which has been beautifully restored, is a true piece of Georgian history itself, and is overlooking the picturesque vineyard.
Our travel included wine tasting with snacks at Lamiskana Estate and wine tasting and supra (lunch with lots of Imeretian dishes) at Ucha’s wine.