"We Care About the Quality of Grapes and Create Conditions So That All Winegrowers Can Harvest Their Harvest" – Levan Mekhuzla
Chairman of the National Wine Agency Levan Mekhuzla met with the heads of the Gurjaani Municipality self-government, joined by Deputy State Governor of Kakheti Region Givi Metreveli and Mayor of Gurjaani Giorgi Machavariani, to discuss preparations for the 2025 grape harvest.
During the meeting, Mekhuzla highlighted the government’s renewed focus on quality. “This year, we should pay special attention to the quality of grapes. According to the decision, in the event that the state has to receive excess grapes, two prices have been set. The winegrower who has grown quality and well-conditioned grapes will be more appreciated. Our reforms serve this very purpose; we care about the quality of grapes and create conditions so that all winegrowers can harvest their harvest without any problems,” he stated.
The session took place in a question-and-answer format, during which organizational issues and updates related to the vintage were discussed in detail. Deputy Governor Metreveli noted that similar meetings would be held in all municipalities of Kakheti to ensure more efficient coordination and to inform residents about the new support mechanisms for winegrowers.
According to the government’s 2025 vintage policy, subsidies will no longer be granted to private wine companies. Instead, in the event that the private sector cannot absorb the entire grape harvest, the state-owned enterprise “Harvest Management Company” LLC will purchase the surplus. The purchase prices have been fixed at 1.50 GEL for Saperavi grapes harvested in the Kakheti region, 1.20 GEL for other wine varieties permitted under the Law of Georgia “On Vine and Wine,” and 1.00 GEL for substandard or damaged grapes with sugar content below 18%.
This policy shift is intended to strengthen the viticulture sector by providing consistent market access for winegrowers while promoting higher standards of grape quality. Officials emphasized that this approach will help maintain Georgia’s competitiveness in the global wine market and support the continued growth of wine exports.
