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Vachnadziani Saperavi Classical is a Georgian Dry Red Wine made from grapes grown in the Kakheti wine-growing region in the east of Georgia. Available to buy in the UK at Fareham Wine Cellar.
The 100% Saperavi grapes are sourced from a vineyard in the Kakheti region in eastern Georgia, where the climate is moderately humid, with hot summers and cool winters. Located at 320 metres above sea level, the soils here are clay and loamy, which provide good water retention properties to sustain the vines during the hot summers. The vineyard is planted with cover grass between the vines to reduce weeds; the soil is mulched and treated with organic mineral fertilisers.
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. The winery was privatised in 1994 and remains family-owned today. The winery was eventually modernised with Italian winemaking technology in 2007 whilst also preserving its qvevri winemaking methods.
Today, the company produces many different Georgian wines from some twenty-five, 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 aims 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.
This Dry Red Saperavi has inviting aromas of wild blackberry, damson plum and ripe dark cherry mingle with warm spice, think clove and black pepper, plus gentle toasty oak notes.
The palate is beautifully balanced and plush, delivering smoky ripe plum, crème de cassis and earthy undertones with a touch of dark chocolate and espresso. Soft yet structured tannins provide grip without aggression, while bright acidity keeps everything fresh and lively.
The finish is pure and elegant, with lingering smoke, dark fruit and a refined minerality
This Georgia red wine pairs well with chargrilled lamb chops, beef kebabs or Georgian-style shashlik with plenty of herbs and spices.
It also loves game dishes, slow-cooked stews (such as a rich beef or venison bourguignon-style casserole), smoky barbecued meats and aged hard cheeses.
Try with some traditional Georgian khachapuri bread.
Saperavi is an ancient, indigenous red grape variety native to Georgia, one of the oldest winemaking countries in the world.
Saperavi translates literally as “dye”, “paint” or “to give colour”. It’s a highly fitting name for this powerful teinturier grape.
Teinturier grapes are rare red varieties that have red-coloured flesh and juice, not just dark skins. Unlike most red grapes (which have white flesh and clear juice), Saperavi produces exceptionally deep, inky purple-red wines with intense colour and structure.
No, not always. Although a great deal is made in the dry style, Saperavi is highly versatile.
In Georgia itself, semi-sweet and sweet styles are very popular. The most famous example is Kindzmarauli, a naturally semi-sweet red made exclusively from Saperavi.
Some producers also create fortified Saperavi, a rich, Port-style wine with added spirit.
