GEORGIAN WINES

“A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time. Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that they might give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vinedressers beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent another servant; and they beat him also, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. And again he sent a third; and they wounded him also and cast him out.

“Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. Probably they will respect him when they see him.’ But when the vinedressers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.’ So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others.”

In the spring of 2006, Russia elected to place an embargo on Georgian wines and mineral waters, even though the Georgian wines were the most popular wines in Russia. This was done for political reasons; the Russian government trying to end Georgia’s love of God and love of freedom. Even now, Russia regrets this embargo. Although the Russian market amounted to 90% of Georgian wine sales, Georgia has rebounded nicely. As a result, the rest of the world can now enjoy the fine Georgian wines that used to be available only to Russia. Saperavi, Mukuzani, Mavane, Tsinindali – these names will be very famous among wine lovers worldwide as the wines are distributed throughout the United States and Western Europe.

Wine making in Georgia goes back to the very beginning of recorded history. Recent archeological digs along the Georgian coast have produced artifacts showing the making of wine as long as 6,000 years ago. The earliest example of western man has just been found in Georgia as well, giving credence to the argument that one city in Georgia – Mtskheta – was formed by Tubal, the grandson of Noah himself.

In fact, there are many Georgians who believe the ark landed in Georgia, not Armenia, and that the vineyard Noah planted was in the region of Ajara, that beautiful portion of Georgia that borders both the Black Sea and Turkey. Yes, it is true that the book of Genesis tells us: “And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard.” The Georgians believe this was a Georgian vineyard and a Georgian wine. There is a grape in Georgia called “Noah’s grape” (a white grape, in case you’re wondering). Grapes of every color are grown throughout Georgia – a nation nestled between the Greater and Lesser Caucasus. Many Georgians grow their own grapes and make their own wines, and the nation boasts many vintages.

We at Eastinah are proud to present not just fine Georgian wines, but fine Georgian wines in unique collector classic bottles, available no where else in the world.