Kardanakhi 1888: Championing Local Grape Varieties and Winemaking as a Way of Life

Kakheti, Georgia’s premier winemaking region, is home to the village of Kardanakhi, known for its wines with three designations of origin—Tsarafi, Akhoebi, and Kardanakhi.

In the latest installment of “Wine Road” by Business Partner, we spotlight Kardanakhi 1888, a winery dedicated to preserving and promoting rare, indigenous grape varieties.

“We are originally from Kardanakhi and wanted to create something in our native village,” says Mamuka Makhoshvili, founder of Kardanakhi 1888. “We purchased vineyards, land, and a site for our wine cellar. From the beginning, we focused on cultivating our vines with a deeper understanding and more advanced practices than mass producers.”

The winery cultivates 12 varieties of both endemic and European vines across 17 hectares. It currently produces 25 types of alcoholic beverages using both traditional qvevri and European methods. Its wines are distributed throughout Georgia, and exports have already begun to Italy and Germany, with talks underway to enter new international markets.

“The greatest demand is for our qvevri wines,” says Makhoshvili. “We are working to popularize native varieties. Wherever there’s a competition, we participate—and we win. Establishing our brand name both locally and globally is a key priority. The National Wine Agency is actively working to promote Georgian wine, and we fully support and intend to contribute to this effort.”

Looking ahead, Kardanakhi 1888 plans to launch a summer wine school aimed at educating winemakers, sommeliers, and enthusiasts on Georgian wine and cuisine, further boosting public awareness.

Founded in 2014, Kardanakhi 1888 currently produces 100,000 bottles annually.