Gia Piradashvili, co-founder of Winiveria, says Russia is no longer an important market for the winery, adding that the country has historically used wine as a political weapon.
Piradashvili recalled that three to four years ago, a potential Russian buyer said Winiveria’s wine was too expensive, bringing negotiations to an end. Since then, only two small shipments of Chateau Mere wine, totaling 1,800 bottles, have reached Russia through intermediaries.
“Russia has always used wine as a weapon. I am not particularly interested in this situation and do not pay attention to it,” Piradashvili said.
Winiveria produces between 700,000 and 800,000 bottles of wine annually. Its key export market is the United States, where sales are approximately 10 times higher than in other destinations. The winery also exports to the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and Australia, and has recently entered the Ukrainian market.
Russia has reportedly also restricted imports from other Georgian companies, including Nabghlavi, Coca-Cola, Teliani Valley, Tbilvino, Wineman, Askaneli Brothers and Georgian Beer Company.
