Davit Songulashvili: Grape Harvest in Racha Proceeds Without Disruption
Georgia’s Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Davit Songulashvili, visited the harvest coordination centre in Ambrolauri to review the progress of the grape harvest in Racha.
He was accompanied by Papuna Margvelidze, State Representative in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and Gocha Enukidze, the parliamentary delegate for Ambrolauri, Oni, Tsageri, Lentekhi and Mestia.
As of October 21, nearly 2,400 tonnes of Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes had been processed. Approximately 1,300 winegrowers had delivered their harvest, earning a combined GEL 19 million.
A total of 35 wine producers participated at various stages of the harvest, including the state-owned Harvest Management Company.
Songulashvili said grape deliveries were proceeding without disruption. Weather conditions had delayed ripening in Racha, as in Kakheti, but most of the harvest had already been delivered.
“Our main task is to ensure that no winegrower in Racha-Lechkhumi faces difficulties selling their harvest and that growers receive appropriate income from their grapes,” he said.
The minister highlighted private sector participation as essential to ensuring timely grape purchases, noting that the government’s subsidy programme was designed to encourage wineries’ involvement and support an orderly harvest.
Under the programme, wine companies qualify for a subsidy if they purchase and process at least three tonnes of Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes grown in the Khvanchkara microzone and pay growers at least GEL 8 per kilogram. The state subsidy is GEL 4 per kilogram for both varieties.
To protect the varietal authenticity and quality of the appellation wines Khvanchkara and Racha, grape variety specialists are monitoring deliveries at every collection point. Checkpoints at entrances to the region aim to prevent grapes from other municipalities from being brought in and mixed with local Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli.
The harvest coordination centre in Ambrolauri continues to oversee the 2026 harvest. Further information is available through the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture’s hotline, 1501.
Deputy Minister Solomon Pavliashvili, National Wine Agency Chairman Levan Mekhuzla and local government representatives also attended the meeting.
