Portuguese and Polish Academic Delegations Visit Jighaura Research Base to Explore Collaboration on Indigenous Grape Varieties

Representatives from the University of Beja in Portugal and educational institutions in Poland visited the Jighaura base of Georgia’s Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture.

The Director of the Center, Professor Levan Ujmajuridze, met with the President of the University of Beja, Professor Maria de Fátima Carvalho, the university's head of international relations, and representatives of Polish academic institutions.

Professor Ujmajuridze provided the guests with a detailed overview of the Jighaura base’s development history, the Center’s work in identifying and preserving unique Georgian grape genetic resources, and the research and educational purpose of its collection vineyard. He also highlighted the Center’s scientific and practical projects aimed at sustainable agricultural development, climate adaptation, and the integration of local grape varieties into modern production.

During the meeting held at the Jighaura base, the sides discussed future collaboration and the exchange of genetic resources. It was agreed that a trial vineyard of Georgian grape varieties will be established at the University of Beja in Portugal. This initiative will contribute to the international promotion of Georgian wine and the dissemination of its genetic heritage. As part of the cooperation, a reciprocal visit to Portugal is planned for October of this year.

The visit concluded with a wine tasting of samples produced from the collection plots at Jighaura. The tasting was led by David Chichua, Head of the Viticulture and Enology Research Department. Guests sampled wines made from unique Georgian grape varieties, as well as wines from Portuguese varieties.