Chelt - Gunashauri

Giorgi Mirianashvili, owner of Chelti, was born and raised in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. As a child, Georgi often visited his ancestral village in the Kakheti region, about a two hour drive to the east of the capital. Kakheti is the oldest – over 6000 years – and the most important winegrowing region of Georgia. These valleys are the most likely birthplace of vitis vinifera, the classic European wine grape species, making Kakheti arguably the world’s oldest wine region.

When Giorgi chose to retire from a successful banking career and create a winery, it was no surprise that he looked to his “home” district. He planted a 125 acre vineyard in Shilda which has a beneficial micro-climate influenced by the nearby Chelti River. This river has over the centuries deposited rocks and soil in the Kakheti region from the nearby Caucasus Mountains making it perfect for winegrowing. Giorgi planted 100% Saperavi grapes, Georgia’s finest red wine variety.

TASTING NOTES: This soft dry wine comes from the part of the vineyard composed mainly of clay soil, producing a soft, readily accessible wine which goes well with chicken and pasta dishes, or just by itself.