Georgia’s Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Davit Songulashvili, announced that the ministry is expanding and strengthening laboratory infrastructure across the country. Speaking on Rustavi 2’s Debates, he addressed concerns about the lack of regional labs, noting that new regulations in the winemaking sector require better access to testing.
Songulashvili explained that the reform of winemaking and viticulture is a complex process, and regional laboratories are a key part of it. Existing labs are being upgraded, and new ones are being built, so farmers no longer need to travel to Tbilisi. He highlighted that high-quality seedlings are essential, since more than half of Georgia’s vineyards are virus-infected, which harms vine health, affects wine quality, and can spread to healthy vineyards.
He outlined ongoing projects: the Akhaltsikhe lab has been strengthened, Shida Kartli is receiving additional components, and expansion is underway in Imereti. In Kakheti, a design tender has been issued, with construction starting this year. By spring 2028, the region is expected to have a fully equipped laboratory. According to Songulashvili, every region must have facilities capable of providing fast, local test results, with Tbilisi serving as the central backup.
Responding to a question about excise taxes - 14 GEL on chacha versus 6 GEL on brandy spirit - Songulashvili said the ministry is working with the Ministry of Finance to support local production. Their aim is to help chacha develop similarly to Italy’s grappa, becoming competitive and strengthening Georgia’s domestic spirits sector.
