Georgia Introduces Three-Tier Grape Pricing for 2026 Harvest to Prioritize Quality Over Quantity
“In the winemaking sector, the goal of all planned reforms is to ensure that, amid intense competition on the global wine market, Georgian wine can compete with renowned wine-producing countries such as France, Italy, Spain, as well as so-called ‘New World’ wines. For the long-term development of the sector, we must focus on quality rather than quantity. At this time of year, from late February, vineyard pruning and formation are underway. Growers should already take the planned changes into account,” stated Levan Mekhuzla, Chairman of the National Wine Agency, while speaking about the introduction of three differentiated prices based on grape quality for the 2026 harvest.
Levan Mekhuzla emphasized that, in order to protect the interests of grape growers, the state has to purchase surplus grapes for which there is no demand from the private sector.
“In previous years, there were cases when the sugar content of delivered grapes was 14–15%, which is a very poor indicator. Such grapes are barely suitable even for spirit production. This year, we are introducing a minimum sugar threshold for wine grapes — 17%. Below this level, grapes will be classified as non-wine (hybrid) grapes and purchased at a very low price. The price difference between compliant and non-compliant grapes serves as additional motivation for growers to produce high-quality grapes. Last year’s harvest confirmed this approach, when two different prices based on quality were introduced, and the vast majority of growers made efforts to bring their harvest to the required standard,” the Chairman noted.
During the 2026 harvest, in the case of a surplus crop and if the private sector does not express interest in purchasing grapes, the state will set the following prices per kilogram:
For grape varieties permitted under the Law of Georgia on Vine and Wine:
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Sugar content above 20% — GEL 1.30
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Sugar content between 17% and 20% — GEL 0.80
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Sugar content at or below 17% — GEL 0.30
For Saperavi:
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Sugar content above 22% — GEL 1.50
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Sugar content between 17% and 22% — GEL 0.90
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Sugar content at or below 17% — GEL 0.30
