“74% of Our Grape Growers Produced Quality Grapes, and I Want to Thank Each of Them” — Levan Mekhuzla

As of 23 September, nearly 38,000 tonnes of grapes had been processed across Kakheti. Of this total, 28,000 tonnes were classified as high quality, representing approximately 74% of the harvest processed to date.

According to Levan Mekhuzla, Chairman of the National Wine Agency, most of the grapes processed so far are of excellent quality.

“Only a very small quantity—approximately 147 tonnes out of 38,000—was delivered unripe and of poor quality. Seventy-four per cent of our grape growers produced quality grapes, and I want to thank each of them for this. Thank you, because the vast majority of growers truly understand the value of good grapes, vineyards, and quality wine. Our goal is to increase the share of quality grapes in the harvest to 100%, so that not a single bunch of grapes in the birthplace of wine is unripe or of poor quality,” said Levan Mekhuzla.

Given this year’s heavy rainfall, which made it difficult for grapes to develop sufficient sugar content, the differentiated grape purchase prices were revised on 22 September, with new rates set according to sugar content.

Harvest Management Company LLC will purchase grapes grown in Kakheti from individual growers under the following conditions:

Saperavi grapes meeting quality standards, with a sugar content of at least 20%, will be purchased at GEL 1.50 per kilogram. Saperavi with a sugar content between 16% and 20% will be purchased at GEL 1.00 per kilogram, while grapes with a sugar content below 16% will be purchased at GEL 0.50 per kilogram.

For Rkatsiteli and other wine grape varieties permitted under Georgia’s Law on Vine and Wine, grapes with a sugar content of at least 19% will be purchased at GEL 1.30 per kilogram. Grapes with a sugar content between 16% and 19% will be purchased at GEL 0.90 per kilogram, while those with a sugar content below 16% will be purchased at GEL 0.50 per kilogram.