Georgia’s grape harvest in Kakheti is at its peak. As of October 6, approximately 13,200 winegrowers had delivered their harvest, with around 182,000 tonnes of grapes processed - roughly half of the projected total.
Although the National Wine Agency has not disclosed how much of the harvest was purchased by private companies, farmers say the state remains the main buyer. Winery Shilda’s General Director, Irakli Uglava, explained that private wineries are primarily interested in high-quality grapes and pay 5–10 tetri more per kilogram than state-set prices for quality grapes from specific wine-producing zones.
Uglava said the winery has introduced intermediate prices to account for differences in grape sugar content and quality. He also noted that this year’s weather conditions delayed vine development, making it more difficult for growers to achieve the required grape quality. As a result, queues have formed at state-owned processing facilities, while private wineries are receiving fewer deliveries.
According to Uglava, Shilda does not purchase low-quality grapes, regardless of their price, because its priority is producing wine that meets market standards. He believes the state’s quality requirements are intended to encourage better winemaking, arguing that private producers must focus on quality rather than volume to remain competitive.
