Georgia has 8,000 years of continuous winemaking history, which is confirmed by numerous archaeological discoveries. For a long time, this country was referred to as the "cradle of wine-making civilization." How did this tradition develop? Where is the growing popularity of Georgian wines in Poland? Vladimir Kublashvili, Deputy General Director of the Khareba Winery, answers.
Why is Georgia considered one of the oldest wine regions in the world?
The oldest traces of winemaking and viticulture date back to 6-5 millennia BC; we find them on the territory of the Neolithic habitats of Shulaveri Hora. Fragments of clay wine vessels found during excavations in these areas indicate that already in the Neolithic there was a well-developed agriculture – therefore, the domestication of vines in Georgia should have occurred even earlier.
South of Tibilisi, archaeologists have discovered grape seeds dating back thousands of years before our era. According to morphological and ampelographic characteristics, these bones belong to the Vitis Vinifera Sativa strain grown here. A bunch of Vitis Vinifera grows in the South Caucasus and is considered the source of the first cultivated strains in the world. Thus, it became clear that the relationship between man and grapes began in the 6th millennium BC, and the first cultivated vine appears in Georgia.
Why are Georgian wines so popular in Poland lately?
Georgians, of course, are very proud of their rich and historically distant wine culture. One of the main reasons for the popularity of Georgian wines is international "revival" of the ancient, Georgian, traditional method of winemaking based on kvevri - ceramic tableware has been used for storing and aging wine for thousands of years. Although only about 3% of Georgian wines are produced using kvevri, these dishes still remain a kind of romantic ideal that celebrates the country's traditions.
Another argument huge leap in the quality of Georgian winefor the last 10 years, and active state advertising programa project implemented by the Georgian government to promote our achievements in this field.
Third, a more political reason is the courage of the Georgian people in repelling the Russian invasion in 2008. Since then, the democratic world, together with Poland, has lent a helping hand to Georgia to break our small country's market dependence on Russia.
What distinguishes Kharaba winery from other Georgian wine producers?
Without a doubt, the most significant difference is that Khareba is the largest owner of vineyards in Georgia "we currently have 1,500 hectares of vineyards, and this area is constantly increasing thanks to a very ambitious planting program. Khareba owns vineyards not only in Kakheti, but also in all other wine-producing regions of Georgia, such as Kartli, Imereti and Racha-Lekhumi, where wineries are also located.
Another advantage of ours, which is as if the result of the above difference, is that Khareba works with almost all indigenous grape strains, and quality is a key issue for us. Our winery has received many prestigious awards around the world, such as: best Georgian Wine and Best Show at Mundus Vini, Grand Golds, Decanter World Wine Award, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, China Wine & Spirits Award, Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Competition.
The last difference, of course, makes a huge impression Kvareli tourist complex consisting of a 7.7-kilometer tunnel hollowed out of the rock and filled with the best wines of Khareba. A real phenomenon! Visitors also have the opportunity to taste the most outstanding wines from more than 30 varieties grown in Khareba, as well as take part in cultural activities such as the Chacha distillation process, baking Georgian bread, kneading Juchelas, co-grilling various types of meat (Georgian grill) or picking and pressing grapes in Satsnakheli.
How do Gamziri wines differ from other brands available in Poland on the Polish market?
Gamziri wines are an example of the modern success of the Khareba winery. They are produced specifically for Polish customers and combine the passion for the best, indigenous strains of Georgia with modern winemaking by young and ambitious Hareba winemakers who strive to meet the expectations of customers in Poland regarding excellence in their category.
Junior specialist in Marketing Communications and PR.
He is a graduate of the University of Warsaw and the Main School of Agriculture. We have been in the HoReCa industry for more than 10 years. For many years, he has been associated with the Trip group, Sobienie Royal Golf and Country Club, and the Florentin Restaurant in Warsaw.
She graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the Warsaw Technical University with a degree in Architecture for the Knowledge Society and Visual Communications at the Polytechnic University of Milan. A specialist in creating a mood. She has gained experience at home and abroad at numerous international seminars (Seville, Lisbon, Florence), fellowships at La Sapienza (Rome), etc. m.in. in Carmi e Ubertis and ADM Milano.
A manager with many years of experience in the cosmetics, food, and children's industries. During his career, he was associated with such companies as: L'Oreal, Samsung, Danone-Nutricia, Unilever. During his professional life, he was responsible, among other things, for the development of e-commerce sales and content in Poland and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. 
