Agriculture Minister meets US wine professionals and journalists

Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Davit Songhulashvili has met with a delegation of leading American wine professionals and journalists.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed current and future campaigns to promote Georgian wine, boost brand awareness, and drive sales across the United States.

Minister Songhulashvili emphasised that the US represents one of the most vital export markets for Georgian wine. He noted that targeted marketing campaigns supported by the National Wine Agency in recent years have significantly enhanced Georgian wine visibility across the American market.

“Close collaboration with wine professionals and media representatives is paramount to raising the profile of Georgian wine in the United States. Partnering with international wine experts and journalists offers an exceptional opportunity to introduce Georgia’s ancient winemaking methods, culture, and traditions. We believe this immersive experience will further boost awareness of Georgian wine in the US and showcase its unique identity,” Davit Songhulashvili stated.

Glodow Nead Communications, LLC, the US marketing agency contracted by the National Wine Agency, organised the delegation’s visit. The wine professionals visited 11 wineries and commercial producers across the Kartli and Kakheti regions, gaining first-hand insight into winemaking operations, both contemporary and traditional Georgian techniques, and the country’s multi-millennial vinicultural history. Throughout the tour, guests sampled classical and qvevri-made traditional wines while exploring the deep connections between Georgian gastronomy, culture, and viticulture.

Karen MacNeil, editor of the digital newsletter WineSpeed and author of The Wine Bible, noted that the visit provided an invaluable opportunity to experience the depth and diversity of Georgian wine at its source.

“Travelling to Georgia from California, I had no idea just how extraordinary the country, and its wines, would turn out to be. Over the course of this journey, I have tasted numerous truly exquisite Georgian wines. I am immensely grateful for this experience. The ancient and unique history of your winemaking points to a deeply fascinating and promising future for Georgian wine,” Karen MacNeil remarked.

The meeting at the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture was attended by Alex Fondren, Vice President of Glodow Nead Communications, LLC; Charlene Peters, freelance writer for Apple News; Stacy Buchanan, founder and publisher of Blood of Gods magazine; sommelier and wine writer Pete Holland; as well as senior officials from the National Wine Agency, according to the Ministry’s press office.