Makaridze family has a long history of organic viticulture in Terjola, Imereti region of Georgia. The region is particularly well regarded for grape cultivation with 90% of the village being involved in viticulture. Grapes have always been cultivated, but mostly to sell as cuttings and wine was only made for home consumption. At the age of 23, Gogita Makaridze realised his dream is to continue the tradition of winen-growing. Consequently, quit his job at the financial department of the local town hall and invested everything he had to plant the vines of Otskhanuri Sapere on 1ha. He renovated and enlarged the family wine cellar adding more qvevri (clay vessel). In 2020, his wife Keto, who quit her job as an export manager at one of the largest wine companies, gave up her city life and moved to Terjola to join Gogita and dedicate herself to wine-growing and winemaking. Both are determined to create the link between the vineyards and the surrounding environment, producing natural wines that express the authenticity of the soil and Imeretian winemaking traditions. Makaridze Winery produces only 8000 bottles annually and there are several vineyards owned by the family all located in the village of Terjola in Imereti and all of them are planted in dark red clay & limey soil, 130m above the sea level. The first is planted to 40 years old Tsitska & Tsolikouri. The second is planted to Aladasturi (28 years old). Another one is planted to 14 year old Otskhanuri Sapere. The last one - planted to Tsolikouri (80 years old) & Otskhanuri Sapere (30 years old). All vineyards have been treated organically since the beginning with sustainable methods, no horses or any other equipment is used in the vineyards, all works and operations are conducted manually. The main focus of the winery is to work with nature, not against it! The philosophy behind the viticulture and winemaking in Makaridze Winery is utilizing minimal intervention and processing to guarantee that the unique qualities of the terroir of the vineyards are reflected in all wines, which are made in qvevri - traditional amphora vessels buried underground. Makaridze Winery is one of the first natural winemakers that became the first members of Natural Wine Association and started the natural winemaking movement in Georgia.

Information

Domain Name:
Makaridze Winery
Winemaker's Name:
Gogita & Keto Makaridze
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Imereti
Appellations:
Terjola
Farming:
(going through the process of obtaining Bio certification of vineyards from Caucascert)
Grape varieties:
Tsolikouri, Tsitska and Otskhanuri Sapere, Otskhanuri Sapere, Imereti, Aladasturi, Cuveé

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Makaridze family has a long history of organic viticulture in Terjola, Imereti region of Georgia. The region is particularly well regarded for grape cultivation with 90% of the village being involved in viticulture. Grapes have always been cultivated, but mostly to sell as cuttings and wine was only made for home consumption.
At the age of 23, Gogita Makaridze realised his dream is to continue the tradition of winen-growing. Consequently, quit his job at the financial department of the local town hall and invested everything he had to plant the vines of Otskhanuri Sapere on 1ha. He renovated and enlarged the family wine cellar adding more qvevri (clay vessel). In 2020, his wife Keto, who quit her job as an export manager at one of the largest wine companies, gave up her city life and moved to Terjola to join Gogita and dedicate herself to wine-growing and winemaking. Both are determined to create the link between the vineyards and the surrounding environment, producing natural wines that express the authenticity of the soil and Imeretian winemaking traditions.
Makaridze Winery produces only 8000 bottles annually and there are several vineyards owned by the family all located in the village of Terjola in Imereti and all of them are planted in dark red clay & limey soil, 130m above the sea level. The first is planted to 40 years old Tsitska & Tsolikouri. The second is planted to Aladasturi (28 years old). Another one is planted to 14 year old Otskhanuri Sapere. The last one - planted to Tsolikouri (80 years old) & Otskhanuri Sapere (30 years old). All vineyards have been treated organically since the beginning with sustainable methods, no horses or any other equipment is used in the vineyards, all works and operations are conducted manually. The main focus of the winery is to work with nature, not against it! The philosophy behind the viticulture and winemaking in Makaridze Winery is utilizing minimal intervention and processing to guarantee that the unique qualities of the terroir of the vineyards are reflected in all wines, which are made in qvevri - traditional amphora vessels buried underground.
 
Makaridze Winery is one of the first natural winemakers that became the first members of Natural Wine Association and started the natural winemaking movement in Georgia.

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