National Wine Agency Chair: We must focus on grape quality as sector faces global challenges, including declining wine consumption

“The primary priority for the 2026 harvest will be grape quality,” Levan Mekhuzla, Chairman of the National Wine Agency, stated regarding the upcoming Rtveli (grape harvest).

“We must place greater emphasis on grape quality, as the sector is facing global challenges, including a trend of declining wine consumption worldwide. If we manage these processes correctly, we will navigate this critical period with reduced risks,” noted Levan Mekhuzla.

According to Mekhuzla, a bumper crop is expected this year, with preliminary estimates suggesting total grape yields will exceed 300,000 tonnes.

By decision of the Georgian Government, in the event of a surplus harvest, the state-owned enterprise Harvest Management Company LLC will purchase grapes from growers at differentiated prices. For grape varieties permitted under the Georgian Law on Vine and Wine, if the sugar content exceeds 20 per cent, the purchase price per kilogram will be GEL 1.30; for sugar content between 17 and 20 per cent, GEL 0.80; and for sugar content below 17 per cent, GEL 0.30. For the Saperavi variety, if the sugar content exceeds 22 per cent, the price per kilogram will be GEL 1.50; for sugar content between 17 and 22 per cent, GEL 0.90; and for sugar content below 17 per cent, GEL 0.30.

“We announced the scheme for this year’s harvest as early as March so that farmers could make the necessary preparations. Throughout the summer, we met with viticulturists in over 100 villages across Kakheti and heard their views. Certain proposals were put forward regarding the Saperavi variety, and in all likelihood, the lower sugar content threshold established for high-quality Saperavi will be reduced by one percentage point. However, we will make no compromises regarding grapes with a sugar content of less than 17 per cent, the price for which will remain set at 30 tetri,” Levan Mekhuzla stated.