Around 24,000 Tons of Grapes Processed in Kakheti Region as of September 11

As of September 11, approximately 24,000 tons of grapes have been processed in Georgia’s Kakheti region. The harvest is actively underway in the municipalities of Dedoplistskaro, Sighnaghi, Gurjaani, and Kvareli, with around 1,300 winegrowers having delivered grapes to wineries.

Grape picking in the remaining Kakheti municipalities will commence in stages once optimal ripening conditions are met.

Of the total grapes processed so far, about 12,000 tons are Saperavi, roughly 7,000 tons are Rkatsiteli, and the remainder consists of other grape varieties.

Currently, around 350 wine companies and cellars are registered with the Harvest Coordination Headquarters to participate in grape reception and processing. Of these, 110 are already actively engaged in the harvest.

Information related to the harvest is available through the hotline of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (1501) and the hotline of the Harvest Coordination Headquarters (0322 193 283).

As a notable development, this year the Government of Georgia has authorized the state-owned LLC “Crop Management Company” to purchase surplus grapes at differentiated prices:

• Saperavi grapes harvested in Kakheti – 1.50 GEL per kg

• Other wine varieties permitted under the Law of Georgia “On Vine and Wine” – 1.20 GEL per kg

• Substandard or damaged/diseased grapes – 1.00 GEL per kg

Importantly, subsidies will no longer be issued to private wine companies in the Kakheti region under this year’s program.