Georgia’s grape harvest in Kakheti has entered its peak phase, with nearly 48,000 tonnes of grapes processed as of the morning of September 24, according to the National Wine Agency. Of the total, 34,500 tonnes were classified as high-condition and high-quality grapes.
Saperavi accounts for 29,000 tonnes of the processed crop, while 12,400 tonnes are Rkatsiteli, with the remainder comprising other grape varieties. Nearly 10,000 tonnes were processed over the past 24 hours, the highest daily figure recorded during this year’s harvest so far.
Levan Mekhuzla, chairman of the National Wine Agency, said processing volumes are expected to increase further in the coming days, reaching 10,000–12,000 tonnes per day. He said harvesting is underway across all municipalities of Kakheti, with mostly high-sugar, quality grapes being delivered, while grapes considered unripe or low-quality account for less than 1% of the total.
The government expects this year’s Kakheti harvest to reach around 320,000 tonnes. The harvest comes after vineyard owners protested on September 22 over grape delivery conditions and sugar-based prices, prompting the state to revise purchase rates the same day. Under the updated tariffs, 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 wine varieties receive GEL 1.30/kg for at least 19%, GEL 0.90 for 16–19%, and GEL 0.50 below 16%.
