Nearly 38,000 tonnes of grapes had been processed in Georgia’s Kakheti region as of September 23, with 74%, or about 28,000 tonnes, classified as high-condition and high-quality grapes, according to Levan Mekhuzla, chairman of the National Wine Agency.
Mekhuzla said the share of unripe and low-quality grapes has remained minimal despite challenging climatic conditions. Of the 38,000 tonnes processed, only about 147 tonnes were classified as unripe or low quality.
“The majority of the grapes processed at this stage are of excellent quality,” Mekhuzla said, thanking growers for producing quality grapes. He said the agency’s goal is to increase the share of high-quality grapes to 100% of the harvest.
The harvest comes after vineyard owners blocked a road in Kakheti on September 22 to protest grape delivery conditions and sugar-content-based tariffs. Following the protest, the government revised the differentiated purchase prices. Under the updated rates, Saperavi is purchased at GEL 1.50/kg for sugar content of at least 20%, GEL 1 for 16–20%, and GEL 0.50 below 16%; Rkatsiteli and other legally permitted wine varieties receive GEL 1.30/kg for at least 19%, GEL 0.90 for 16–19%, and GEL 0.50 below 16%.
