The founder of Khomlis Marani, Tamaz Omanadze, has responded to the National Wine Agency, arguing that informal rejection of wines by the agency’s tasting commission points to a problematic approach in the sector.
Omanadze recently told BMG that his wine — sold for up to £900 in Europe — was dismissed by the commission, although the National Wine Agency later said that small wineries are not subject to mandatory tastings. He says his wines are already recognized in premium international markets, including London’s Hedonism Wines, and that such local evaluations may not align with global standards.
He argues that “author winemaking” should be legally separated from mass production, as it is a creative process from vineyard to bottle. According to him, applying rigid, industrial-style criteria to such wines restricts creativity and turns wine into a standardized product. He also calls for better recognition of regional terroirs and sub-zones within appellations to highlight Georgia’s diversity.
Omanadze also criticizes state policies, including grape subsidies, claiming they encourage quantity over quality. He further says new regulations requiring prior approval from the National Wine Agency for vineyard planting risk limiting freedom in selecting grape varieties and could undermine the uniqueness of Georgian wine.
