GWS is one of the largest wines and spirits companies in Georgia. It has built its reputation on quality and integrity, backed by 45 years of experience, international presence and numerous awards. GWS was the first company to incorporate European quality standards as it bottled and exported wine from the independent republic of Georgia. Since that time, it has maintained its status as an ambassador of Georgian wine and culture globally.
Georgia – cradle of wine and homeland of GWS
At every stage of its existence, GWS has been distinguished by new initiatives – in winemaking, viticulture and wine-production management. GWS played a significant role after Georgia’s independence in 1991, when a new era of rediscovery began. GWS revived forgotten native grape varieties and traditional winemaking methods and was the first in the country to introduce modern European standards and approaches.
The company was developed from the Achinebuli winery built in 1976 and has grown to become one of the largest wine and spirit groups in Georgia.
During the 1990s, a turbulent and difficult general environment in Georgia hampered economic development, with a lack of investment in the wine industry. most government-owned wineries were closed and offered to investors. GWS was established in 1993 with significant European investments and funding, directed at modernizing Georgia’s viticulture and winemaking practices.
Today, GWS is a subsidiary of Marussia beverages, an international producer and distributor of sparkling wines, wines and spirits based in Switzerland. Since 2012, Marussia beverages has invested more than 20 million euros in the development of its vineyards and wineries in Georgia. GWS currently owns and controls 400 hectares of vineyards in different micro zones in eastern and western Georgia,as well as extensive wine-making and bottling facilities. The company has a diverse portfolio, featuring our renowned traditional brands “Tamada” and “old tbilisi,” as well as our popular new experimental brand “Vismino”.
From 2022, GWS will become the biggest producer of bio-organic wine in Georgia.
To this day, GWS wines have been awarded over 200 prizes in national and international competitions.
GWS brands are increasingly popular in Georgia and key international markets, such as Ukraine, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Belarus, the Baltics and Japan.
Company’s products are exported to more that 25 countries worldwide, and the number of these markets are increasing annually.
Diversity of terroirs & varietals
Ketevan Kenkishvili | GWS brand ambassador: We operate and fully control 400 hectares of vineyards: 280 hectares of red grape varietals and 120 hectares of white grape varietals. Our vineyards are composed of seven identified terroirs: Akura, Artana, Kindzmarauli, Magraani[TM1] , Martvili, Sadmeli, Vardisubani. Each vineyard is planted with grape varieties suitable to the terroir: the soil profile, climate and topography. The terroirs are divided into 80 parcels of five hectares each.
Our vineyard management is based on organic fertilization to allow life in the soil. We cultivate each hectare ourselves, banning the use of herbicides. Over the last four years, we have introduced innovative methods such as biological activation. As a result, today, GWS’s 97 hectares of vineyards are bio certified. The rest are in transition, and their certification will take place gradually in the coming years.
GWS is headquartered in the city of Telavi, in the heart of Kakheti, and most of our vineyards are cultivated in this beautiful and rich region. Kakheti represents the pinnacle of Georgian viticulture. In a land of such spectacular diversity as Georgia, where grapevines have thrived for eight millennia, innovators are revealing the exceptional qualities of the terroirs. This is especially true in Kakheti, where most of the Georgian wines of Appellation of Controlled Origin (AOC) are cultivated”.
Akura terroir | Kakheti
This terroir is located in Kakheti close to our winery, at an altitude of 650 meters, facing east on a slightly sloping, pebble-strewn terrain over a two-meter-thick limestone subsoil. Temperatures can reach 45°c in summer. The stony soil absorbs the heat of the day and releases it at night, causing the grapes to mature more rapidly than those in nearby terroirs. This remarkable meso-terroir is ideal for unleashing the full potential of the saperavi variety, Georgia’s most emblematic grape. It naturally yields an intense red wine ,high in tannins and alcohol, with excellent natural acidity. Vineyard size: 63 hectares old, and 17 hectares new vineyards. Grape varieties: Saperavi, Saperavi Budeshuri, Grenache Noir, Cabernet Franc, Syrah
Vardisubani terroir | Kakheti | AOC Tsinandali
Vardisubani is located in the famous AOC Tsinandali in an ancient riverbed, at an altitude of 600 meters, in an eastward-facing parcel with a soil of stones and pebbles over a limestone subsoil. The dominant grape varieties here are rkatsiteli and mtsvane, which naturally brings minerality to our famous Tsinandali and premium white blends. Vineyard size: 35 hectares old, and 51 hectares new vineyards. Grape varieties: Rkatsiteli, Kisi, Khikhvi, Mtsvane, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Riesling.
Artana terroir | Kakheti | AOC Napareuli
Our Artana vineyard is located in Kakheti’s designated “Napareuli“ viticulture zone. It is located on the northern bank of the Alazani river and the greater Caucasus foothills, at an altitude of 800 meters, with subsoil composed of clay, gravel and some schist over a six-meter-thick limestone subsoil. The differences in temperature between the night and day are substantial, with cooler nights fostering aromatics and freshness. This parcel is entirely planted with saperavi, Georgia’s best-known grape, which yields a deep, inky, powerful red wine naturally high in alcohol, tannins, and acidity. Vineyard size: 92 hectares old, and 51 hectares new vineyards. Grape varieties: Saperavi, Kisi, Khikhvi, Sauvignon Gris, Cabernet Franc, Tsolikouri, Tsitska, Otskhanuri Sapere, Etc.
Duruji valley terroir | Kakheti | AOC Kindzmarauli
Duruji valley is situated in the “Kindzmarauli” viticulture zone in Kakheti, on the Caucasus range’s southern slope. Our vineyard is 300 meters above sea level, on the left bank of the Alazani river. The climate is moderately humid, with relatively cold winters and long warm summers. In this vineyard, we cultivate the outstanding Georgian red grape variety saperavi. Vineyard size: 36 hectares old vineyard. Grape varieties: Saperavi.
Maghraani terroir | Kakheti | Akhmeta
This terroir is in the Akhmeta area of Kakheti, on the left bank of the Alazani river. At an altitude of 600 meters. The sharply sloping, argil terrain is facing the south sun. Temperatures can reach 40°c in the summer. This remarkable meso-terroir is ideal for revealing the full potential of white grape varieties. The location of the vineyard and the characteristics of the terroir allow us to make a perfect late harvest here. Since 2016 the full vineyard was transferred to organic (bio) production, with an international certificate received in 2019. Vineyard size: 18 hectares old vineyards. Grape varieties: Mtsvane, Saperavi.
Sadmeli terroir | Racha, AOC | Khvanchkara
Our vineyard in Racha is located in Khvanchkara AOC – village Sadmeli. This famous micro-zone is situated at 450-750 meters on the southern slopes of Lechkhumy ridge. The climate here is quite humid, with moderately cold winters and hot, relatively dry summers. In this vineyard, we cultivate the most emblematic grape varietals of Racha: Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli. Next to the vineyard, we operate a fully equipped winery that allows us to guarantee high quality by de-stemming and crushing freshly handpicked grapes and fermenting these while avoiding lengthy transportation. Vineyard size: 18 hectares. Grape varieties: Aleksandrouli , Mujuretuli, Saperavi Zelshavi.
Martvili terroir | Samegrelo
This terroir is located in Bandza village in Martvili municipality at an altitude of 200 meters, on the left bank of the Abasha river. Facing east, with a flat, pebble-strewn terrain. The climate is humid subtropical, influenced by the black sea, with warm, mild winters and hot summers. This remarkable micro-terroir is ideal for revealing the full potential of the famous Megrelian red grape variety Ojaleshi. Vineyard size: 12 hectares. Grape varieties: Ojaleshi.
Winemaking | From the hand to the barrel
Philippe Lespy | Chief winemaker & CEO
“Wine is made by the soil – man’s role consists simply in taking the raw materials that nature provides and bringing forth their innate nobility, much in the way a sculptor reveals all the beauty lying in wait within a piece of marble”.
Born in France to a family of agriculturists, Philippe Lespy is a man with deep ties to the earth. He was seized by a fascination for the vine while studying at the university of Bordeaux, where he learned the art and science of winemaking from some of the most eminent experts in the field, ultimately obtaining a doctorate in oenology and viticulture.
Philippe has spent much of his career working for some of the most legendary names in the wine regions of Bordeaux. For eight years, he looked after the classified growths of baron Philippe de Rothschild. Working with wines known around the world for their superb quality, Philippe received the most rigorous training, honed his skills, developed his talents, and acquired the uncommon expertise that sets him apart.
Winemaking philosophy
Harvest
Harvest is a slow and deliberate labor of love conducted only when the right time has come. Seven tests are conducted to determine grape maturity. This allows the grapes to reach optimal acidity and ripeness, resulting in a richer aromatic composition. Harvest is conducted manually, parcel by parcel, row by row, in absolute respect for the vine.
Vinification
During the vinification process we respect the characteristics of each grape varietal (gravity), especially the fruit flavors and tannins.
Maturation & bottling
Maturation incorporates innovative techniques (micro-oxygenation) to keep the fruit flavors of white wines and reduce the astringency of reds. Cooling, inter pressing, gentle pumping, gravitation and barrel fermentation are used to achieve our quality. Bottling follows strict rules of quality control. Every two hours, samples are taken, and the wines are analyzed in our in-house laboratory to ensure their quality and consistency.
Aging
In our cellar we have 800 French barrels, including 150 new barrels added annually. When aging our wines we use barrels made from oak of different terroirs and with different levels of toasting. This allows us to select the best barrels for each grape variety and terroir, contributing to an excellent expression of wine characteristics.
Portfolio
Tamada | the ambassador of Georgian wine culture : Internationally recognized Georgian wine brand with a diversified portfolio and exquisite quality . Under the iconic name –Tamada – and packaged with Pirosmani paintings
Old Tbilisi | cheerful enjoyment of life : Legendary mainstream Georgian wine brand, representing old Tbilisian relationships and mood.
Vismino| the taste of life’s true beauty : Experimental wine brand with exclusive blends and varieties . On the path to becoming fully organic
Colours of Georgia | a collection of three iconic wines: Stands for the quality and integrity
GWS supreme Chacha | a new approach to Georgian party lifestyle : Three types of Chacha made from grapes picked exclusively from the GWS vineyards and crafted for party and spirit lovers
