Winemaker Notes
Founded in 1995, Winery Khareba has always prided itself on ancient traditions, with an end goal of cultivating the finest wines using both traditional and modern techniques. Since its inception, the winery has expanded its holdings from 300 hectares to 1,500 hectares, with one major winery (Terjola) in the Imereti region and the other three in the Kakheti region.
Currently, Winery Khareba cultivates 24 grape varieties in 7 microzones, producing over 40 different wines consisting of premium wines; appellation of origin wines; aged wines; proprietary table wines; dry and semi-dry sparkling wines; and Qvevri wines.
The company is particularly active in maximizing their presence in the international market, with distribution networks in almost every European country, the most strategic wine markets in Asia, and now select markets of the United States, via a broker. After such success in their home country and abroad, the Winery Khareba is ready to make a bigger imprint on the American market and raise overall awareness of Georgian wine.
A Eurasian country bordered by Russia to its north, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan to its south and the Black Sea along its western border, The Country of Georgia is one of the world’s oldest winemaking countries. Archaeological evidence in the Caucasas region (the area covered by the countries listed above, where the European and Asian continents merge) shows wine production dating back 6,000 to 8,000 years ago but exactly which country can lay claim to the birthplace of winemaking remains undetermined.
Though some modern movements have been made, Georgia remains committed to ancient winemaking techniques, namely the use of qvevri, or clay vessels for fermentation and storage of both its red and white wines. Like ampohorae, these are typically buried underground or set into the floor of a cellar in an effort to regulate temperature. Saperavi, one of the few red-fleshed, dark-skinned varieties, produces an intense red wine. Rkatsiteli, Georgia’s key pale-skinned variety, is popular for its versatility. It is capable of producing wines of various styles from fresh, dry whites and complex, amber-colored skin-contact wine, to sparkling, sweet and fortified wines.
Beyond the usual suspects, there are hundreds of red grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines, while others are better suited for use as blending grapes. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles, offering much to be discovered by the curious wine lover. In particular, Portugal and Italy are known for having a multitude of unique varieties but they can really be found in any region.