Doctor of Agricultural Sciences

Associate Professor at Caucasus International University

Chief Specialist at the Viticulture and Oenology Analysis and Regulation Department of the National Wine Agency of Georgia

For centuries, Samegrelo, as one of Georgia’s oldest regions, has shaped and preserved a rich heritage of vine and winemaking. The region’s remarkable diversity of climate and soils, a subtropical climate, proximity to the Black Sea, mountainous terrain, as well as fertile alluvial soils in the valleys of the Enguri, Tskhenistskali, and Khobistskali rivers, alongside limestone-rich foothills, creates ideal conditions for a wide range of grape varieties and for wines of distinctive and expressive character. Within Samegrelo’s fascinating and diverse range of wines, a special place is held by the PDO wine - Salkhino Ojaleshi.

The renowned geographer and historian Vakhushti Batonishvili praised the wines of Samegrelo for their quality, intensity, and character.

According to academic sources (N. Ketskhoveli, D. Tabidze, M. Ramishvili, 1960, among others), around 50 local grape varieties have been recorded in Samegrelo, most of them intended for winemaking and noted for their quality. This rich gene pool is yet another sign of the region’s long-standing wine heritage and its importance.

At present, around 200 hectares of vineyards are recorded within the Samegrelo viticultural zone, where the following autochthonous wine grape varieties are grown:

Ojaleshi is an autochthonous red grape variety belonging to the Samegrelo group of grape varieties. Celebrated for centuries, it remains one of the region’s key defining varieties and a cornerstone of Samegrelo’s wine culture. Its significance comes not only from its widespread presence across the region, but also from the way it embodies the unique character of Samegrelo wines.

According to the renowned historian Ivane Javakhishvili, the name Ojaleshi reflects an old vine-training tradition in Samegrelo. In Megrelian, “ja” means tree, while “oja-leshi” refers to a vine grown on a tree.

According to Ampelography of Georgia (1960), in Salkhino, the renowned figure and farmer Achille Murat produced a special wine from Ojaleshi under the label: “Odjaleche”, vignobles de S.A. madame la princesse A.Murat, which he also sold outside of Georgia. Notably, in 1912, Murat presented this wine at the Paris Rural and Agricultural Exhibition, where it was awarded a gold medal.

The variety is characterised by medium yields (6.0 to 7.0 t/ha) and a late ripening period, with grapes maturing in mid-November. The grape juice has a sugar content of 20.0 to 23.0 per cent and titratable acidity ranging from 8.0 to 9.0 g/L.

Ojaleshi is a high-quality wine grape. The wine is characterised by a deep red hue, full body, and harmonious structure, with a rich varietal aroma. With age, it develops a pleasing bouquet.

Chvitiluri (also known as Chvitilouri, Chkhvitiluri, or Chekobali) is an autochthonous white grape variety belonging to the Samegrelo group of grape varieties. It is sparsely cultivated within the Samegrelo viticultural zone.

According to scientific sources (N. Ketskhoveli, M. Ramishvili, D. Tabidze, 1960), Chvitiluri was once widely grown in the predominantly hillside micro-regions of Samegrelo, including Tsalenjikha, Chkhorotsku, Martvili, Salkhino, and others. Locals traditionally used its grapes for winemaking, and Chvitiluri wine earned a reputation not only in Samegrelo but throughout western Georgia.

The variety is characterised by above-average yields (8.0 to 8.5 t/ha) and a late ripening period, with grapes reaching maturity by the end of October. The grape juice has a sugar content of 19.5 to 21.8 per cent and titratable acidity ranging from 8.1 to 8.9 g/L.

Chvitiluri is a high-quality wine grape. The wine is characterised by a clear hue, a good balance of alcohol and acidity, full body, harmonious structure, and refined flavour. According to some historical sources, Chvitiluri wine is reminiscent of Chkhaveri in terms of its tasting profile (E. Nakashidze, 2018).

Koloshi is an autochthonous red grape variety belonging to the Samegrelo/Guria group of grape varieties. It is sparsely cultivated within the Samegrelo viticultural zone.

The variety is high-yielding (8.5 to 9.5 t/ha) and has a late ripening period, with grapes reaching maturity in early November. The grape juice has a sugar content of 17.0 to 18.0 per cent and titratable acidity ranging from 9.0 to 9.5 g/L.

Koloshi is a high-quality wine grape that produces wine with a distinctive and original aroma.

Paneshi is an autochthonous red grape variety belonging to the Samegrelo group of grape varieties. It is sparsely cultivated within the Samegrelo viticultural zone. At the beginning of the 20th century, Paneshi ranked second in vineyard area among red grape varieties in the region, after Ojaleshi (N. Ketskhoveli, M. Ramishvili, D. Tabidze, 1960).

The variety is medium-yielding (6.5 to 7.0 t/ha) and has a late ripening period, with grapes reaching maturity in mid-October. The grape juice has a sugar content of 17.0 to 19.5 per cent and acidity ranging from 9.0 to 10.0 g/L.

Paneshi is a wine grape variety. Its wine is characterised by a pleasing colour, well-balanced alcohol and acidity, good body, and a harmonious structure. The variety may be considered promising for cultivation on the southern hillside vineyards of Samegrelo.

Machkvaturi is an autochthonous red grape variety belonging to the Samegrelo group of grape varieties. It is sparsely cultivated within the Samegrelo viticultural zone.

The variety is medium-yielding (6.0 to 7.0 t/ha) and has a mid-to-late ripening period, with grapes reaching maturity in the first half of October. The grape juice has a sugar content of 20.0 to 21.0 per cent and acidity ranging from 8.0 to 9.0 g/L.

Machkvaturi is a wine grape variety that produces wine characterised by harmony and pleasant flavour qualities.

Tsolikouri (also known as Obchuri Tsolikouri, Tsolikauri, Melqos Tsolikouri, Kokhidzis Tsolikouri, and Kobakhidzis Tsolikouri) is an autochthonous leading white grape variety of the Imereti group of grape varieties. The variety is widely cultivated not only within the Imereti viticultural zone but throughout western Georgia.

The variety is medium to high yielding (averaging 7.0 to 10.0 t/ha), shows some resistance to certain fungal diseases (such as mildew), and has a late ripening period, with grapes in western Georgia generally maturing from the second half of October. Depending on the zone, the grape juice has a sugar content of 19.0 to 25.0 per cent and titratable acidity ranging from 7.5 to 9.5 g/L.

Tsolikouri is a high-quality wine grape variety, suitable for making a wide range of wines, both classic (European-style) and those made using the traditional Imeretian method. Notably, Tsolikouri is used to produce PDO wines, including Sviri (blended with Tsitska and Krakhuna), Tvishi, Lechkhumi, and Obcha.

References

N. Ketskhoveli, M. Ramishvili, D. Tabidze, 1960. Ampelography of Georgia.

G. Eliava, T. Eliava, 1984. Catalogue of Ancient Colchian, Unique Grape Varieties.

I. Javakhishvili, 1986. Works in Twelve Volumes, Volume V.

M. Ramishvili, 1986. Ampelography.

N. Tsertsvadze, 1987. Overview of Grape Varieties Cultivated in Georgia.

E. Nakashidze, 2018. Viticulture and Winemaking in Guria, Samegrelo, Ajara, and Abkhazia, 2nd edition.

L. Ujmajuridze, G. Kakabadze, L. Mamasakhlishvili, 2018. Georgian Grape Varieties.

N. Ablotia, 2024. Ampelographic and Oenological Study of the Georgian Grape Varieties Orbeluri and Ojaleshi, Master’s Thesis, Caucasus International University.

National Vineyards Cadastre of Georgia, 2024 Report. SSIP National Wine Agency of Georgia, 2025.

https://catalog.elkana.org.ge/