An international scientific conference, opened by Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, has been held in Tbilisi as part of the celebrations for Georgia’s National Wine Day.

Welcoming addresses were delivered by Georgia’s Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, David Songhulashvili, and the Director General of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), John Barker.

The conference brought together participants to examine the current state of the global wine sector, the challenges it faces, and the specific characteristics of various markets, with particular attention to export opportunities across Europe, Asia, and the United States. Discussions also centred on the progress and plans of the programme, Scientific Research of Georgian Vine and Wine Culture, under the auspices of which the international scientific community formally recognised in 2017 that Georgia is the birthplace of wine.

A dedicated session entitled “Georgia – The Cradle of Wine Civilisation” was led by Professor David Maghradze, head of the Georgian Vine and Wine Culture Research programme, and Academician Davit Lordkipanidze, Director of the Georgian National Museum.

Alongside representatives of Georgia’s wine industry and academic community, the conference welcomed a distinguished array of international professionals from the wine world, among them John Barker, Steven Batiuk, Gabriele Cola, and Gergely Solnoki, as well as Masters of Wine Debra Meiburg, Lisa Perotti, and Konstantin Baum, together with wine expert and writer Robert Joseph, and numerous other international guests.

By initiative of the National Wine Agency under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, and by decision of the Georgian Government, May 8 is annually observed as National Wine Day in Georgia, an occasion dedicated to honouring Georgian wine as an expression of national identity, a treasure of cultural heritage, and a tradition steeped in thousands of years of history.

As part of the National Wine Day festivities, Gudiashvili Square hosted wine tastings and a series of educational activities exploring Georgia’s 8,000-year winemaking history. The day’s celebrations were brought to a close with a musical and theatrical performance at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre.