247,000 Tons of Grapes Processed in Kakheti; Harvest Active in Both Kakheti and Racha
As of October 9, approximately 247,000 tons of grapes have been processed in the Kakheti region.
According to the National Wine Agency, around 17,000 winegrowers have delivered grapes to wineries. The harvest remains in an active phase, with the daily grape-processing rate reaching around 10,000 tons. Of the grapes processed by wineries, about 123,000 tons are Rkatsiteli, around 108,000 tons are Saperavi, and the remainder consists of various other grape varieties.
The harvest is also active in Racha, where 1,000 tons of Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes have already been processed in the Ambrolauri municipality, which represents nearly half of the forecasted harvest.
To encourage private sector involvement in the harvest process and ensure the organized collection of grapes, the government has introduced a subsidy program in the Racha region. Any company that purchases and processes at least 3 tons of Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes grown in the Khvanchkara microzone, and pays the winegrower no less than 8 GEL per kilogram, will qualify for the subsidy. The state subsidy for wine companies in the Racha-Lechkhumi region amounts to 4 GEL per 1 kg of Aleksandrouli and 1 kg of Mujuretuli grapes (grapes used to produce PDO Khvanchkara wine).
No subsidies will be issued to private wine companies in the Kakheti region this year. Instead, based on a decision of the Government of Georgia, surplus grapes will be purchased by the state-owned enterprise, LLC “Harvest Management Company,” at differentiated prices according to quality:
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Saperavi grapes harvested in Kakheti – 1.50 GEL;
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Other wine grape varieties permitted under the Law of Georgia “On Vine and Wine” – 1.20 GEL;
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Substandard, damaged and/or diseased grapes – 1.00 GEL.
