According to the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture, as of September 18, a total of 146,000 tons of grapes have been processed in Kakheti. This includes approximately 60,000 tons of Rkatsiteli and around 68,500 tons of Saperavi.

The Ministry reports that over 12,000 winegrower farmers have already settled their crops, resulting in a cumulative income of GEL 197 million from grape sales.

“Up to 80 companies and wineries are processing crops daily. Currently, about 500 wine enterprises are registered with the vintage coordination headquarters, of which 254 have already participated in the vintage process. The volume of processed grapes has doubled year-on-year,” the Ministry noted.

To accommodate the substantial harvest of Saperavi grapes and maintain their quality, the Government of Georgia has authorized Harvest Management Company Ltd. to collect Saperavi grapes from farmers at a rate of GEL 1.50 per kilogram starting September 13. The government will also compensate growers who received less than GEL 1.50 per kilogram of Saperavi grapes before this date, ensuring they are paid the full amount.

Additionally, any company that pays at least GEL 1.00 per kilogram for Rkatsiteli grapes will be eligible for a state subsidy to support the sale of the grape harvest and foster the stable development of the wine industry.

The Harvest Management Company is collecting grapes from growers at approximately 20 locations across various municipalities in the Kakheti region. The daily processing rate exceeds 10,000 tons, indicating that the harvest is in a highly active phase, according to the Ministry’s information.

The forecast for the 2024 grape harvest is projected to be a record 300,000 tons.

In Telavi, the vintage coordination headquarters and the Ministry’s hotline (1501) are operating 24 hours a day to assist with the process.