It is a well-known fact that the culture of wine production in Georgia has a long history and is called the homeland of wine.
It's not just a title - being from the homeland of wine automatically means a lot of enjoyable commitments, and if winemaking becomes your lifestyle there is no other way - you have to create the best product and at the same time for the best people.
"Chigogidze Vines" appeared on the market a few years ago right with this slogan, although their surname is related to the tradition of winemaking for centuries.
The Chigogidze Family Wine is located in the village of Kavtiskhevi in Shida Kartli. Since the 16th century, these areas have been called the side of the famous military leader and politician Giorgi Saakadze, whose descendants are also considered to be the Chigogidzes.
Shida Kartli has been a densely populated area since the Bronze Age, and Kavtiskhevi in particular has been famous for its pottery for centuries. You can see the ancient specimens of these pitchers in the ancestral cellar of the Chigogidzes, which walls are built in 17-18th century by boulders and stones, from which it is possible to read many details of Kartli architecture.
Zura Chigogidze, the founder of the company, decided to use the intellectual resources he had accumulated over the years to make wine, which would be passed down from generation to generation and include ancient, precious recipes- to introduce to the wide society and make his own contribution to its promotion outside Georgia. Thus was born the idea of opening a wine cellar in Kavtiskhevi.
Saperavi Khashmi
saperavi is made from red grapes of most popular appellation of Khashmi.Our saperavi vineyards are located in khashmi appellation, Kakheti, 45 minutes away from Tbilisi. south exposition slopes is rich with carbonated gray soil.2017 harvest for qvevri style started on 6th of October, when the balance between acidity, sugar and tannin become in harmony. Grapes picked up by hand in small boxes. Yield per hectare 8 tones .After destemming crushed grapes transferred into Qvevri for the fermentation. Fermentation lasted 3 weeks, afterwards clay vessel was closed hermetically and wine was with skin contact for 5 months. On march, qvevri was opened and the wine decanted to Bordeaux style 225 liter barrels for maturation.
- Variety: saperavi 100%
- Appellation : khashmi
- Harvest Date: October, 6
- Barrel managing: 12 months maturation in Bordeaux 225 barrels.
- Alcohol: 13%
- Residual Sugar: 2.5g/l
- Acidity: 5g/l
Tsarapi
The Tsarapi is full bodied Qvevri style wine of most popular vine growing region –Kakheti, near the village kardenakhi, appellation of Tsarapi.Grape variety is Rkatsileti that is one of the most popular white wines of Georgia. Tsarapi appellation is know with its unirrigated vineyards. clay and clay-carbonated soils are dominants in the appellation. Hot summer days encourages higher percentage of alcohol, what is one of the important aspects of full bodied qvevri wines.Harvest started at the end of the September as the season was rainy and humid. Selective hand-picking and small 20 kg plastic boxes were used during the harvest. Yield 8t/ha. Before transferring the grapes in traditional clay vessels (Qvevries), destemmed grapes are cooled down up to 14 degree Celsius. Fermentation went in Qvevri with skins as traditional method, after 7 days fermentation was over, the vessel was closed hermetically and ready for 5 months skin maceration till the beginning of March. On March, Qvevri was opened and wine was decanted to Bordeaux 225 liter barrels for 6 month maturation. After the barrels wine transferred to stainless steel until bottling.
Amber colored wine is full of spicy aromas mixed with over ripen sweet yellow fruits. full body wine with tannins and alcohol is rounded by the oak and time.
- Variety: Rkatsiteli 100%
- Appelation : Tsarapi
- Harvest Date: end of september
- Barrel managing: 6 months maturation in Bordeaux 225 barrels.
- Alcohol: 13%
- Residual Sugar:1.6g/l
- Acidity: 5 g/l
Khikhvi
The 2017 Khikhvi i is Qvevri style wine from most popular vine growing region –Kakheti, near the town Akhmeta.he white grape variety khikhvi is famous with its high aromatic structure and high potential of alcohol. By this, it is often material of sweet classic wines, however it has big potential by the Georgian traditional way winemaking ( skin contact in qvevries for months)Winyards of khikhvi are planted on carbonated soil, hot summer and chilly night encaureges ripening procces and harvest time is middle of septemebr.2017 year was the same, 17th of September, harvest was done by hand in small boxes. Yield was 10tones per hectare. Before transferring the grapes in traditional clay vessels (Qvevries), destemmed grapes were cooled down up to 14 degree Celsius. Fermentation went in Qvevri with skins as traditional method, after 6 days fermentation was over, the vessel was closed hermetically and ready for 5 months skin maceration. On March 8, Qvevri was opened and wine was transferred to Bordeaux 225 liter barrels for 6 month maturation.
Amber colored wine is full of spicy and floral aromas mixed with over ripen sweet yellow fruits. full body wine with tannins and alcohol is rounded by the oak and time. Before the filling in the bottles wine is kept in stainless steel tank.
- Variety: Khikhvi 100%
- Region : Kakheti, Akhmeta
- Harvest Date: Middle of september
- Barrel managing: 6 months maturation in Bordeaux 225 barrels.
Manavis Mtsvane Qvevri
2018 Manavis Mtsvane qvevri wine is classic example with Tsarapi 2017 of full body round qvevri wines.White grape variety manavis Mtsvane is located slopes of village manavi, that is appellation of high quality white wine too. Soil in the vineyard is carbonated rich with humus.Harvest started at the end of September, manually by selective hand picking in small plastic boxes. Yeal was 8 t/ha. Before transferring the grapes in traditional clay vessels (Qvevries), destemmed grapes are cooled down up to 14 degree Celsius. Fermentation went in Qvevri with skins as traditional method, after 8 days fermentation was over, the vessel was closed hermetically and ready for 5 months skin maceration till the beginning of March. On March 8, Qvevri was opened and wine was transferred to Bordeaux 225 liter barrels for 6 month maturation.Amber colored wine is full of spicy and floral aromas mixed with over ripen sweet yellow fruits. full body wine with tannins and alcohol is rounded by the oak and time. Before the filling in the bottles wine is kept in stainless steel.
- Variety: Manavis Mtsvane 100%
- Appellation: Manavi
- Harvest Date: End of september
- Barrel managing: 6 months maturation in Bordeaux 225 barrels.
- Alcohol: 13%
- Residual Sugar: 2g/l
- Acidity: 5.5 g/l
Tavkveri Rose
The Tavkveri Rose is a good example of fresh and fruity rose wines of region of shida kartli.Fresh weather in summer, afternoon breezes from river valleys and limy soils are facilitators high quality fresh Rose wine.Tavkveri is endemic Red grape variety of the region. The grapevine is grown in Kavtiskhevi Village. The vineyard is located on slight slope, east part of the vineyard is surrounded by mountain river, the soil is limy and lime stony. Local mother-nature almost never allows grapes to be over ripen and the year 2018 was the same. Harvest started at the beginning of October, selective manual grape picking and 20 kg plastic boxes for transportation ensures high quality final product. Yield was 12 t/ha. After destemming, mush is cooled down, macerated with skins for 2 hours and afterwards freerun of juice from the press is kept under +6 degree for natural sedimentation. after 2 days clear juice is separated from lees and ready for fermentation. fermentation lasted for three weeks at 13-14 degree Celsius.
This wine has a pomegranate color, fresh, vibrant taste, and fragrant smell of strawberries, raspberries, and other berries. It gives a long aftertaste,
- Variety: Tavkveri 100%
- Region: Shida Kartli, Kavtiskhevi
- Harvest Date: beginning of Octomber
- Alcohol: 12.5%
- Residual Sugar: 1g/l
- Acidity: 6 g/l