National Wine Agency Holds Meetings with Growers in Kakheti to Present Ongoing Wine Sector Reform

As part of the ongoing reform aimed at improving the quality of Georgian wine, representatives of the National Wine Agency of Georgia held a series of meetings with grape growers across the Kakheti region.

Agency officials visited all eight municipalities of Kakheti, meeting with residents in every village where viticulture is practiced to explain the objectives of the reform and discuss issues related to the upcoming grape harvest.

One of the main topics was the 2026 Rtveli (grape harvest). Under a decision of the Government of Georgia, if a surplus harvest occurs and the private sector does not purchase all available grapes, the state will intervene and purchase grapes at differentiated prices based on sugar content.

For grape varieties permitted under the Law on Vine and Wine, the state purchase prices will be as follows:

• Sugar content above 20% – GEL 1.30 per kilogram
• Sugar content between 17% and 20% – GEL 0.80 per kilogram
• Sugar content below 17% – GEL 0.30 per kilogram

For Saperavi grapes:

• Sugar content above 22% – GEL 1.50 per kilogram
• Sugar content between 17% and 22% – GEL 0.90 per kilogram
• Sugar content below 17% – GEL 0.30 per kilogram

Participants were also informed that, during the harvest season, every winery will be equipped with modern sugar-content measuring devices, while grape deliveries will be recorded using electronic weighing systems integrated into a unified digital database. These measures are expected to improve transparency and strengthen growers' confidence in the harvest process.

The meetings also covered the recent amendments to the Law on Vine and Wine. Under the new regulations, effective 1 May 2026, the establishment, restoration, or renewal of commercial vineyards requires prior approval from the National Wine Agency. Approval is required only for new commercial vineyards, is issued free of charge, follows a simple and transparent procedure, and must be granted within 20 working days.

Agency representatives emphasized that the reform is ultimately aimed at improving the quality of Georgian wine by ensuring that the grapes used in wine production consistently meet the highest quality standards.

According to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), global wine consumption has fallen to its lowest level since 1961. The decline has been most pronounced in the lower-priced wine segment, while demand for premium-quality wines has remained comparatively stable.

Representatives of local municipalities also participated in the meetings held throughout the Kakheti region.