The National Wine Agency (NWA) reports that grape harvest is actively underway in winemaking Kakheti Region, adding the local farmers have so far earned 32.2m GEL after realization of their grapes.

The data of September 14 show that nearly 30,000 tons of grapes have been processed in Kakheti region, including up to 12 thousand tons of Rkatsiteli, 14,8 thousand tons of Saperavi, 1,2 thousand  tons of Kakhetian Green, and other different varieties of grapes.

The agency reports that 157 wine factories have already registered in vintage coordination headquarters and they have already started processing of harvest.

As for the Kakheti Municipalities, the data looks as follows:

Kvareli – 11,2 thousand tons

Signaghi - 6 thousand tons

Telavi – 3,8 thousand tons

Gurjaani – 4,5 thousand tons

Dedoplistskaro – 2,1 thousand tons

Akhmeta - 820 tons,

Lagodekhi - 866 tons

Sagarejo - 396 tons.

Last year, in order to promote grape growing, the government issued subsidies on Rkatsiteli, Saperavi and Kakhetian Green grapes. However, this year the government decided not to subsidize grapes in the Kakheti region.

“In addition,  wine companies that purchase 1 kg of grapes of Rkatsiteli and Kakhuri Mtsvane  for  at least 70 tetri, will receive  compensation of 35 tetri from the state for brandy spirits and concentrated grapes production,” the NWA reports.

Information on the grape harvest process is placed on the websites of the National Wine Agency: www.georgianwine.gov.ge and www.rtveli2017.gov.ge

The hotline number for interested persons is 1501.

By Thea Morrison

Photo source: National Wine Agency

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