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| ABV % | 12.0 |
Vachnadziani Qvevri Otskhanuri Sapere is a Georgian red wine made from 100% Otskhanuri Sapere grown in the Imereti wine-growing region of central western Georgia. It is vinified in the traditional Georgian clay amphora known as Qvevri.
The Vachnadziani Winery, established in 1953, stands as one of the oldest wineries in Georgia’s Vachnadziani village. Its heritage stretches back to the 19th century, when the estate belonged to nobleman Levan Jandieri. During Soviet collectivisation, local workers founded the “Red Cellar” winery, installing 200 traditional Georgian qvevris—clay vessels used for natural wine fermentation. After privatisation in 1994, the family-owned winery modernised its operations with Italian technology in 2007 while preserving its qvevri winemaking methods.
Today, the company produces many different wines from some 25, mainly indigenous, grape varieties. The company has holdings of over 1000 hectares of vineyard in various regions, including Kakheti in eastern Georgia and the Imereti, Racha and Lechkhumi regions in western Georgia.
Vachnadziani Winery’s aim is to preserve its ancient wine culture while combining it with cutting-edge technology. The winery blends cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices, such as planting cover grass to control weeds, mulching soils, and using organic mineral fertilisers.
The grapes are cultivated in Georgia’s humid Imereti region (western-central), with hot summers and mild winters. At 220 m altitude, vines are trained using Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) and double Guyot pruning on humic-calcareous soils. Planted on gently sloping, terraced, and flat land facing northwest and west, the vineyard uses cover grass for weed control, mulching, and organic mineral fertilisers.
Process:
Grapes are hand-harvested and meticulously sorted—first in the vineyard, then berry-by-berry at the winery—to select only the healthiest fruit.
Whole grapes undergo skin-contact fermentation in qvevri (large clay amphorae buried underground).
Natural yeast activity and extended maceration occur during the fermentation process.
This process imparts earthy, mineral notes without oak influence.
Qvevri Details:
Vachnadziani uses 950 litre qvevri, buried for temperature stability.
The wine ferments and ages in these vessels for several months.
The result is an unoaked, “natural” style of wine.
No additives are used beyond minimal sulphites.
Raspberry red in colour, this Otskhanuri Sapere delivers enticing aromas of plums and ripe berries complemented by herbal and floral notes. Full bodied, with balancing freshness and a long, dry and smoky finish.
Pairs well with grilled meats, barbecued lamb kebabs, stews or the traditional Georgian khachapuri bread.
Otskhanuri Sapere, one of Georgia’s oldest varieties, means “Otskhana’s colourful,” reflecting the wine’s intense ruby hue. This wine embodies the ancient winemaking heritage of the Caucasus region, often referred to as the “cradle of wine,” where archaeological evidence indicates that viticulture dates back over 8,000 years.
Otskhanuri Sapere is a teinturier grape. A teinturier is a red-skinned grape which also has red flesh. They are actually quite rare; other better-known examples include Alicante Bouschet, Saperavi and Tannat.
