Importer’s & winemaker’s notes: It’s not an exaggeration to say that John Wurdeman, an American artist, musician, restaurateur, and winemaker, is responsible for igniting global interest in the wines and winemaking traditions of Georgia. Considered by some to be the birthplace of wine, Georgia is one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world, with evidence of vinification stretching back 8,000 years.
John and his business partner, Gela Patalishvili, opened Pheasant’s Tears in 2007, focusing on tracking down and reviving near-extinct native grape varieties from all around Georgia, which is home to over 500 indigenous varieties. They ferment and age the majority of their wines in qvevris, traditional amphorae that are buried underground. Recently, they’ve also incorporated stainless steel into their winemaking. The winery is based in Tibaani, while their vineyards are located both nearby and across the country, stretching from the western region of Adjara to the volcanic terroir of Meshketi in the south.
The Chkhaveri vineyards are planted in a remote highland region in Adjara, where vineyard traditions were weakened by centuries of repeated incursions from Turkey. The grapes are grown in collaboration with John’s godson, Jambuli Disamidze. The vineyard is in the West Georgian region of Adjara, village of Qvashta, region of Keda. Clay and granite soils. 500m above sea level, in mountains near the Black Sea. Planted 10 years ago, farmed organically from the start. The vineyard is composed of two parcels; one with higher terraces, and the other with a slightly lower steep slope.
For the making of this wines, grapes are harvested by hand, then destemmed and gently crushed into stainless steel. After one week of skin contact, the grapes are removed from the skins. Fermented and aged in stainless steel for one year, followed by another year in bottle.
The result is a delicious drinkable wine with vibrant red fruits and soft herbal, earthy undertones. As the winemaker describes it, ‘a playful and pretty light red, Jura-style’.
Pair it with roasted white meats, mild flavored cheeses and even beef smash burgers.
Region: Adjara, Georgia
Grape: 100% Chkhaveri
Vintage: 2024
750 ml
Importer’s & winemaker’s notes: It’s not an exaggeration to say that John Wurdeman, an American artist, musician, restaurateur, and winemaker, is responsible for igniting global interest in the wines and winemaking traditions of Georgia. Considered by some to be the birthplace of wine, Georgia is one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world, with evidence of vinification stretching back 8,000 years.
John and his business partner, Gela Patalishvili, opened Pheasant’s Tears in 2007, focusing on tracking down and reviving near-extinct native grape varieties from all around Georgia, which is home to over 500 indigenous varieties. They ferment and age the majority of their wines in qvevris, traditional amphorae that are buried underground. Recently, they’ve also incorporated stainless steel into their winemaking. The winery is based in Tibaani, while their vineyards are located both nearby and across the country, stretching from the western region of Adjara to the volcanic terroir of Meshketi in the south.
The Chkhaveri vineyards are planted in a remote highland region in Adjara, where vineyard traditions were weakened by centuries of repeated incursions from Turkey. The grapes are grown in collaboration with John’s godson, Jambuli Disamidze. The vineyard is in the West Georgian region of Adjara, village of Qvashta, region of Keda. Clay and granite soils. 500m above sea level, in mountains near the Black Sea. Planted 10 years ago, farmed organically from the start. The vineyard is composed of two parcels; one with higher terraces, and the other with a slightly lower steep slope.
For the making of this wines, grapes are harvested by hand, then destemmed and gently crushed into stainless steel. After one week of skin contact, the grapes are removed from the skins. Fermented and aged in stainless steel for one year, followed by another year in bottle.
The result is a delicious drinkable wine with vibrant red fruits and soft herbal, earthy undertones. As the winemaker describes it, ‘a playful and pretty light red, Jura-style’.
Pair it with roasted white meats, mild flavored cheeses and even beef smash burgers.
Region: Adjara, Georgia
Grape: 100% Chkhaveri
Vintage: 2024
750 ml
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