The 2026 grape harvest has begun in Georgia’s Racha region, with 145 tonnes of Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes processed so far in Ambrolauri Municipality, according to the National Wine Agency. The projected harvest for the Racha-Lechkhumi region this year is approximately 3,000 tonnes.
Grape collection points will initially open in communities on the right bank of the Rioni River. To prevent delays and queues, harvesting and delivery will follow a schedule coordinated with the harvest headquarters in Ambrolauri.
A government subsidy program aims to encourage private companies to purchase and process grapes from the region. Companies that buy and process at least three tonnes of Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes grown in the Khvanchkara microzone and pay growers at least GEL 8 per kilogram will receive a state subsidy of GEL 4 per kilogram for both varieties.
To protect the quality and authenticity of the Khvanchkara and Racha wines, ampelographers are monitoring grapes at collection points, while checkpoints at regional entry points are intended to prevent grapes from other municipalities from being brought in and mixed with local varieties. Meanwhile, the harvest continues in Kakheti, where nearly 273,000 tonnes of grapes had been processed as of October 14.
