Wine, spirits factory opens in Georgia’s winemaking region Kakheti

"An irreversible process of strengthening the agricultural sector has started in Georgia, which is very important as the strength of our country depends on the strength of our agriculture.”

Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said these words today at the opening of an alcoholic beverage factory in Gurjaani, a town in Georgia’s winemaking region Kakheti.

The new factory will produce wine and spirits, and was opened jointly by Georgian wine and spirits production company, Bolero & Company, and state-owned winery Gruzvinprom.

Georgia’s Prime Minister said developing agriculture was one of the priorities of the Georgian Government and action was well underway to support development of this industry. Already more than 1,000 factories were reequipped and several new ones were opened, he said.

Historically the wine industry is one of the most important fields in Georgia. This industry has helped Georgia keep its identity so it is very important for us to develop this sector further. I am glad that today this new factory opened,” Kvirikashvili said.

A new alcoholic beverage factory opened today in Gurjaani, a town in Georgia’s winemaking region Kakheti. Photo by the PM's press office. 

In recent years we have achieved big success. In the last three years new vineyards have been planted on more than 6,000ha of territory. … During the past three years Georgian families living in Kakheti, Racha-Lechkhumi and other regions of the country have received more than 400 million GEL [from winemaking],” he added.

Kvirikashvili noted the Government had also paid much attention to supporting the sale of Georgia-grown produce and created several export-oriented institutions to further this.

The Russian market, which is our traditional market, is very important however we are diversifying our wine export markets and establishing communication with new countries, such as China for example”.

It is very important for us to have a trade agreement with the European Union where Georgian wine is becoming more and more popular. Georgian wine is also becoming recognised in the United States market,” Kvirikashvili said.

At the end of his speech Kvirikashvili thanked the Georgian Orthodox Church for contributing to keeping the oldest traditions of Georgian winemaking alive.