The best evaluation of wine lovers and 21 medalist wines – with this result, the winemakers’ union Bolnisi returned this year, in Katharinenfeld, (now Bolnisi) which has a centuries-old history and rich tradition of winemaking.
With the support of RMG company, on October 30-31, at the 13th International Exhibition of Wine and Spirits, Bolnisi was presented with 26 wineries and 36 types of wine.
In the international competition held within the framework of the exhibition, the jury identified gold and silver medalist wines in several categories. Among them, foreign and Georgian wine experts and oenologists awarded 13 bronze, 7 silver and one gold medals to Bolnisi wines. The best grade this year was earned by the 2019 Rkatsiteli of “Khmelo” winery.
Together with the rich tradition of viticulture and winemaking and the diverse varieties of vines, Bolnisi wine is made interesting by the European traces left here by the Swabian colonists who settled here from Germany. In modern Bolnisi, in the old German quarter, you can still find their unique wineries. After 200 years, winemakers from Bolnisi continue to produce their own wine in these cellars, with Georgian tradition and European experience.
In 2018, within the framework of corporate social responsibility, the Union of Winemakers started cooperating with Wine Bolni, the largest mining company in the region, RMG. The goal of the company is to promote the development of the wine industry in the region and the promotion of small entrepreneurs. For this purpose, in 2020, the company purchased a century-old German house in Bolnisi, the restoration and rehabilitation of which is being carried out by the Association for the Protection of German Cultural Heritage in the South Caucasus – Verein zur Bewahrung deutschen Kulturguts im Südkaukasus.
In the spring, the Georgian-German wine house will welcome its first guests. Along with the tasting of the best Bolnisi wines, visitors will be able to get to know the hospitable Bolnisi and its enthusiastic winemakers.
Before that, let’s get to know some winemakers from Bolnisi, who reminded the guests of WinExpo 2021 with wine pressed in their own cellars.
“Khmelo” cellar – Giorgi Khmelidze
Rkatsiteli 2019 – gold Rkatsiteli 2020 – silver
“Khmelo” winery is one of the Bolnisi winemakers, whose wines won the approval of the jury and received gold and silver awards at the same time.
“In the cellar, where Khmelo wine is produced today, we made wine for the first time in 2005 as a family. Many years have passed since then, and in 2018 we bottled wine for the first time under the name of “Khmelo” winery.
My goal was to produce a high-quality wine that would occupy a worthy place in the market. In 2019, “Khmelo” winery received the first award and won gold and silver medals.
In the success of “Khmelo” winery, the role of the Bolnisi agro center, the union of Bolnisi wine and Aremji is very important – all this helps us to develop and improve our wine production every time. These successes are the merit of this unity and I am sure that this successful cooperation will continue in the future and Bolnisi wine will speak for itself.”
In the future, “Khmelo” winery has big plans. Giorgi Khmelidze, the founder of “Khmelo” winery, has already purchased a 12-hectare vineyard, where outstanding and special grape varieties are presented – the goal is to export quality and outstanding wine abroad.
“Shalos” cellar – Tornike Sherezadashvili
Rkatsiteli 2018 – silver Rkatsiteli 2020 – silver
“Shalos” cellar has an interesting and centuries-old history, it is one of the cellars that belonged to the Germans. The family history of wine production was revived in 2018 by Tornike Sherazadashvili’s family and introduced to the public under the name of “Shalos” cellar.
“Bolnisi wines attracted the attention of the public in 2018 and the interest increased. I was also actively involved in wine production and we introduced the wines of the “Shalo” winery to the public both on local and foreign markets.
This type of events is very important for us, on the one hand, it helps us to present our wines to Georgian and foreign wine lovers, and on the other hand, to popularize Bolnisi winemaking culture in society.”
Tornike is actively engaged in the study of winemaking and viticulture, is a member of the Union of Winemakers of Bolnisi and actively cooperates with them, because he thinks that together they have more opportunities to successfully introduce Bolnisi winemaking to the public.
Rkatsiteli 2018 – silver Rkatsiteli 2020 – silver
Shalos cellar has an interesting and centuries-old history, it is one of the cellars that belonged to the Germans. In 2018, the Tornike Sherazadashvili family revived the family history of wine production and introduced it to the public under the name Shalos Winery.
Bolnisi wines attracted the attention of the public in 2018, and the interest increased. I was also actively involved in wine production and introduced the wines of Shalo Winery to the public both on local and foreign markets.
This type of events is very important for us, on the one hand, it helps us to present our wines to Georgian and foreign wine lovers, and on the other hand, to popularize Bolnisi winemaking culture in society.”
Tornike is actively engaged in the study of winemaking and viticulture, is a member of the Union of Winemakers of Bolnisi and actively cooperates with them, because he thinks that together they have more opportunities to successfully introduce Bolnisi winemaking to the public.
David’s wine cellar – Elene Benidze
David’s Winery is another successful family winery from Bolnisi, which is actively involved in wine production.
“The story of Davitis Marani (Davit’s Cellar) begins with my grandfather Davit. David had an ordinary wine cellar, he squeezed the wine that his family consumed. After the death of his grandfather, his father continued to press wine in the wine cellar. As a business journalist who had covered many business success stories, I decided to help my father David’s winery to become commercial.
Exhibitions are a great opportunity for us, wine entrepreneurs, because it helps us to present our wines to the general public and to think about future opportunities.
Two types of wine – Rkatsiteli and Shavkapito – are made in Davit’s wine cellar. Shavkapito is special and outstanding for Davit Marni, because only a few families in Bolnis have it. They have big plans in the future – they want to make Davit’s wine cellar a tourist object and offer tourists an interesting Bolnisi experience.
RMG has been supporting Bolnisi winemakers for many years, promoting their development and promotion. As a result of cooperation, Bolnisi wineries systematically participate in local and international exhibition-competitions. They undergo various educational courses and seminars in order to offer consumers the best wines of the highest quality.
