Winegrower Gocha Berekashvili: Certified Nursery Vines Give Me Confidence That My Vineyard Will Be Healthy and My Wine Will Be of High Quality

For the first time, an application for approval to establish a vineyard has been submitted to the National Wine Agency from the Imereti region. The applicant, Gocha Berekashvili, submitted all the documentation required by law and received authorization to establish his vineyard within the statutory timeframe.

"The introduction of the new regulation was necessary because the rootstock in my old vineyard, where I had purchased vines from a private seller, developed diseases. Purchasing vines from a certified nursery gives me confidence that the vineyard will be healthy, that I will produce high-quality grapes, and ultimately make high-quality wine," said Gocha Berekashvili.

Gocha Berekashvili plans to establish a 1,200-square-meter vineyard of the indigenous Tsolikouri grape variety in the Tkibuli Municipality.

The National Wine Agency reminds prospective growers that its approval is required only for the establishment of commercial vineyards. Approval is also required for the restoration or renewal of commercial vineyards when the planned agronomic measures involve replacing at least 50% of the vines, increasing planting density, or grafting the vineyard with different grape varieties.

Approval for vineyard establishment is issued free of charge. The application procedure is simple and transparent, and applications are reviewed with a decision issued within 20 working days.