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 name Verdisperi translates to “like a rose.” Pheasant’s Tears was one of the first domains to bring attention to this rare, pink-skinned mutation of Rkatsiteli.
Grapes are hand-harvested, de-stemmed, and spend 3 weeks macerating on skins. The amber cousin to a rosé, with a gorgeous pink-copper color and notes of dried flowers, rooibos tea, sea salt and crunchy berries. Fresh and ocean-y with nice grippy tannins.
From John, “This is a really pretty wine. It fits that category of being light, drinkable, approachable — there’s something delicate and attractive about it both in color and in flavor.”
Pair it with Khachapuri (cheesy bread), roasted vegetables, fish and a variety of cheeses (creamy and nutty hard).
Region: Kakheti, Georgia
Grape: 100% Vardisperi Rkatsiteli
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 name Verdisperi translates to “like a rose.” Pheasant’s Tears was one of the first domains to bring attention to this rare, pink-skinned mutation of Rkatsiteli.
Grapes are hand-harvested, de-stemmed, and spend 3 weeks macerating on skins. The amber cousin to a rosé, with a gorgeous pink-copper color and notes of dried flowers, rooibos tea, sea salt and crunchy berries. Fresh and ocean-y with nice grippy tannins.
From John, “This is a really pretty wine. It fits that category of being light, drinkable, approachable — there’s something delicate and attractive about it both in color and in flavor.”
Pair it with Khachapuri (cheesy bread), roasted vegetables, fish and a variety of cheeses (creamy and nutty hard).
Region: Kakheti, Georgia
Grape: 100% Vardisperi Rkatsiteli
Vintage: 2024
750 ml
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