Georgia’s Ancient Winemaking Method
Qvevri wine is a traditional style of wine made in Georgia using large clay vessels called qvevri. These egg-shaped vessels are buried underground and used for fermenting, ageing, and storing wine.
This ancient winemaking method has been practised in Georgia for thousands of years and is considered one of the oldest continuous wine traditions in the world. Because of its cultural importance, traditional qvevri winemaking was recognised by UNESCO in 2013 as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Today, qvevri wines are gaining international recognition for their distinctive character, natural production methods, and connection to ancient winemaking traditions.
What Is a Qvevri?
A qvevri is a large clay vessel traditionally used in Georgian winemaking.
The vessel has a distinctive egg-like shape and is typically buried underground in a cellar called a marani.
Qvevri can vary significantly in size. Some small vessels hold a few hundred litres, while large qvevri can hold several thousand litres of wine.
The interior of the vessel is usually coated with beeswax, which helps seal the clay and protect the wine.
The underground placement of the qvevri helps maintain a stable fermentation temperature, which is essential for natural winemaking.
How Qvevri Wine Is Made
The qvevri winemaking process differs from modern industrial wine production in several important ways.
1. Harvesting the grapes
Grapes are harvested and crushed, traditionally by foot or using simple presses.
2. Fermentation in the qvevri
Unlike most modern wines, Georgian winemakers often place the entire grape juice, skins, seeds, and sometimes stems, into the qvevri.
Natural fermentation begins with wild yeasts present on the grapes.
3. Extended skin contact
The wine remains in contact with the grape skins for several months. This extended maceration contributes to:
- deeper color
- stronger structure
- complex aromas
4. Natural clarification
After fermentation, solids settle naturally at the bottom of the vessel while the clear wine remains above.
The wine may stay in the qvevri through the winter before being transferred to bottles.
Why Qvevri Wine Is Unique
Qvevri wines are distinctive because of both the fermentation method and the indigenous Georgian grape varieties used.
Key characteristics often include:
- complex aromas
- natural texture and structure
- minimal technological intervention
- expression of local grape varieties
Because the vessels are buried underground, temperature fluctuations are limited, allowing fermentation to occur slowly and naturally.
Qvevri Wine and Amber Wine
One of the most famous styles produced using the qvevri method is Georgian amber wine.
Amber wine is made from white grapes fermented with their skins. The extended skin contact gives the wine:
- a deep amber color
- stronger tannins
- complex aromas of dried fruit, nuts, and tea
Although amber wines are sometimes called orange wines internationally, the technique has been practised in Georgia for centuries.
Qvevri Wine and Natural Winemaking
Many qvevri wines are closely associated with the natural wine movement.
Traditional Georgian producers often follow methods that align with modern natural wine principles:
- minimal additives
- spontaneous fermentation
- limited technological intervention
Because these practices have been used in Georgia for generations, some wine experts consider Georgian qvevri winemaking one of the historical foundations of natural wine.
The Role of Qvevri in Georgian Wine Culture
Qvevri are more than just winemaking vessels—they are an important part of Georgian cultural heritage.
In traditional Georgian households, wine cellars often contain several qvevri buried beneath the floor. These vessels have historically been passed down through generations of winemakers.
The traditional cellar, called a marani, is considered a sacred space where wine is produced, stored, and shared during celebrations.
Qvevri Wines Today
In recent years, qvevri wines have attracted growing interest among wine enthusiasts around the world.
Several factors have contributed to this international attention:
- the global interest in natural wines
- the rediscovery of ancient winemaking traditions
- the search for unique wine styles
Today, both traditional Georgian winemakers and modern producers continue to use qvevri to create distinctive wines that reflect the country’s ancient wine culture.
Discover Authentic Qvevri Wines
Qvevri wines represent one of the most distinctive expressions of traditional winemaking in the world. Their combination of ancient technique, indigenous grapes, and natural fermentation creates wines that are both historically significant and unique in character.
Exploring qvevri wines offers a direct connection to one of the oldest wine cultures on earth.
