The vineyards at the
The Manavsky microdistrict is situated in the eastern part of the Sagarejo region, near the borders of the Gurjaani and Sighnaghi districts. The wines of this microdistrict and especially from Manavi enjoyed historical fame and glory.
According to S. Kvariani – a connoisseur and researcher of Georgian winemaking in the XIX century, even Georgian kings had vineyards here named “Mepis Zvari” and marani.
The Sagarejo region is located in Gare-Kakheti in the Sea Valley. It borders with the southern slopes of the Tsiv-Gomborsky range in the north and the Gurjaansky and Sighnakhsky regions in the southeast. The vineyards in the region are mainly located on the southern and southwestern slopes of the Tsiv-Gomborsky range at an altitude of 600 to 850 meters above sea level. Almost all vineyards in the area are irrigated. The climate is favorable for viticulture. In the upper zone diluvial skeletal soils prevail with a sufficient content of calcium carbonates. Humus-carbonate soils are also found. In the middle zone chestnut chernozems and chestnut soils are common, in the lower zone – alluvial carbonate soils.
Mtsvane grapes from our village Manavi, as well as Saperavi grapes from the village of Hashmi are especially famous in the Sagarejo region. We will introduce you to these varieties at our wine tasting.
The most traditional grape varieties for the region are planted in our vineyard:
MANAVI green – is a Georgian native white grape variety grown in a specific area of Manavi vineyards in Kakheti. It is characterized by a light straw, greenish color, a wonderful aroma characteristic, a delicate, cheerful, harmonious taste.
White Rkatsiteli from Manavi – (synonym: rkatsiteli, dekalitel rakatiteli, mamali rakatiteli, korolek, georgian, khanlugi, aslungi, etc.) Georgian aboriginal white grape variety. In Georgia, it ranks first in terms of vineyard area — widely distributed in Kakheti and Kartli. Outside of Georgia it is found in Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, in the countries of Central Asia and Eastern Europe. It features high economic and technological properties. High-quality European, Kakhetian traditional, fortified wines and wine brandies are made from it. A variety of medium or late-medium ripening period. It reaches full maturity in the middle of September (in Kakheti) to the first dates of October (in Kartli). The sugar content in grape juice is 20.0 – 24.0%, and the acidity is 7.0 – 8.0 g/l. Rkatsiteli is used in the production of the following wines with a name by place of origin: Tsinandali, Gurjaani, Kardenakhi, Kakheti, Kotekhi, Napareuli, Tibaani and Vazisubani.
Red Saperavi from Manavi – Georgian native red grape variety. It gives expensive material for almost all types of wine, however it reveals special high-quality only in certain soil and climatic conditions. A wine from Saperavi is characterized by an intensely dark color, moderate alcohol content and acidity, structure, mood, rich bouquet, great aging potential and high taste. In Kakheti grapes ripen in the second half of September and harvesting (rtveli) continues until mid-October. The sugar content in grape juice is 20.0 – 26.0% and the acidity is 7.5-8.5 g/l. From Saperavi wines are made with the name of the place of origin such as Akhasheni, Kotekhi, Kvareli, Mukuzani and Kindzmarauli.
There are also some special grape varieties:
ALADASTURI purple – Georgian native red grape variety. Belongs to the group of Guria grape varieties. Distributed in the regions of Guria and Imereti. A high-quality wine with a characteristic beautiful color, a harmonious ratio of alcohol and acidity, good body weight and a varietal aroma is obtained from Aladasturi grape variety. Products from overripe grapes of this variety are used to produce high-quality semi-sweet wines. This is a late-ripening variety — in the regions of western Georgia, grapes ripen in late October. The sugar content in grape juice is 19.5-21.5% and the acidity is 8.5-9.4 g/l.
USAKHELOURI red – Georgian native variety of red grapes. It is distributed mainly in Lechkhumi and is used for the production of table and natural semi-sweet wines which are distinguished by color intensity, high alcohol content, pleasant varietal aroma, sufficient body and harmony of taste. To obtain natural semi-sweet wines, grapes are harvested in the middle of October when the sugar content reaches 23.0 – 26.0%, and the acidity is 6.0 – 8.0 g/l. This variety is of a medium or later than medium ripening period. In the Racha-Lechkhumi zone, grapes are ripen in late September. The sugar content in grape juice is 20.0 – 26.0% and the acidity is 6.5 – 9.0 g/l.
MUSKAT pink — is one of the very interesting old varieties of wine. It is used in Georgia in the production of table, dessert and sparkling wines. Middle ripening period. Muscat grapes are mainly found in the regions of Kakheti and Kartli, in Mukhrani, as well as in Gori and surrounding villages. The sugar content in grape juice is 23.0-30.0% and the acidity is 6.0 – 9.5 g/l. This wine is also produced in very small quantities.
