Data from the Ministry of Agriculture reveals that Georgia’s annual grape harvest has started, with wine enterprises in Kakheti having processed around 283,000 tons of grapes as of October 13.
The breakdown shows Rkatsiteli leading the list with 145,000 tons, followed by Saperavi with 120,000 tons, while the remainder consists of other technical varieties. In just the past 24 hours, Kakheti alone processed about 8,000 tons of grapes, showing the high pace of this year’s harvest season.
The grape collection is also progressing in Racha where 1.8 thousand tons of Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli have been processed in the Ambrolauri municipality. The total expected harvest in Racha is estimated at around 2,000 tons.
So far, approximately 20,000 winegrowers have delivered their grapes across Kakheti and Racha, with 521 wineries participating in the harvest. The ministry projects Kakheti’s total harvest to reach 200,000–250,000 tons this year.
Under a new policy decision, the state-owned Harvest Management Company will purchase surplus grapes at differentiated prices based on quality:
- 50 GEL per kg for Saperavi grapes,
- 20 GEL for other wine varieties allowed under Georgia’s “Law on Vine and Wine”,
- 00 GEL for substandard or damaged grapes.
Unlike in previous years, private wine companies in Kakheti will not receive state subsidies, a shift in how the government supports the wine sector during the harvest.
