National Wine Agency Chair says Kakheti region processed up to 8000 tonnes of grapes as part of Harvest 2023
He added that over 170 wine enterprises have already been registered in the harvest coordination centre, which would be involved in the grape processing process. Photo via Agriculture Ministry
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Within the framework of Harvest 2023, up to 8000 tonnes of grapes had already been processed in the eastern winemaking Kakheti region, including 3600 tonnes of Rkatsiteli, 3000 tonnes Saperavi and other varieties, Levan Mekhuzla, the Chair of the National Wine Agency of Georgia said on Saturday.
Mekhuzla said that harvest has been “slowly entering the active phase” and noted that the private sector was “very active” in purchasing grapes, emphasising that the state was also “ready to receive” grapes damaged by the climate conditions and would subsidise the farmers 90 tetri for 1 kg of grapes.
He added that over 170 wine enterprises have already been registered in the harvest coordination centre, which would be involved in the grape processing process, the Agriculture Ministry said.
The Government’s decision to subsidise Rkatsiteli and Kakhuri Mtsvane varieties of grapes was also highlighted by Mekhuzla, stressing it would give an opportunity to up to 25 thousand winegrowers and 500 wine producers to develop and continue their activities.
About ₾50 million ($19mln) has been allocated to subsidising this year’s grape harvest across Georgia in order to “financially support farmers” and ensure "not a single kilogram of grapes is left behind", Agriculture Minister Otar Shamugia said on Thursday.
Georgian Agriculture Minister Otar Shamugia on Wednesday highlighted the Government’s support for the country’s agriculture sector over the recent years, noting the backing given to winemakers and hazelnut farmers in particular.
Levan Mekhuzla, the Chair of the National Wine Agency of Georgia, on Saturday said 2500 tonnes of grapes had already been processed in the eastern winemaking Kakheti region.
The Georgian Government will subsidise the harvest of winemakers across the country in the coming fall and also anticipates a part of this year’s yield to be of “inadequate quality” due to “climate conditions”.
The National Wine Agency on Sunday said the state enterprise Harvest Management Company was ready to receive and process grapes damaged by the climate conditions, following heavy rainfall, hail and strong wind late on Saturday, affecting several villages in eastern winemaking Kakheti region.