Annual Rtveli grape harvest gets underway in Kakheti, beginning in Dedoplistskaro

With Rtveli, the traditional annual grape harvest, now underway, nearly 2,700 tonnes of grapes have already been processed across Kakheti. Following tradition, the harvest began in the Dedoplistskaro Municipality.
Harvesting is progressing in phases across Kakheti’s municipalities as the crop reaches optimal maturity and sugar levels.

According to the National Wine Agency, 230 wineries have registered with the Rtveli Coordination Headquarters to date. The total harvest forecast for this year stands at approximately 320,000 tonnes.

To ensure an orderly harvest and guarantee full market realisation of the crop, the Government of Georgia has enacted measures ensuring that all viticulturists can sell surplus yield. To this end, the state-owned Crop Management Company LLC will purchase harvested grapes from individual growers in accordance with established state parameters.

Pricing for prime, undamaged Saperavi grapes with a sugar content of no less than 21% has been fixed at GEL 1.50 per kilogramme. Sub-standard Saperavi with sugar levels between 17% and 21%, or containing partially damaged fruit, will be purchased at GEL 0.90 per kg, while grapes with under 17% sugar content or significant damage will be set at GEL 0.30 per kg.

For other grape varieties permitted under the Law of Georgia on Vine and Wine, undamaged grapes meeting a minimum sugar content of 20% will be priced at GEL 1.30 per kg. Fruit testing between 17% and 20% sugar content will fetch GEL 0.80 per kg, while sub-17% sugar content will be priced at GEL 0.30 per kg.