| Homeland of Wine Magazine | 80-20wines
Delighted to Announce the Results of Our First-Ever Clay Wine Contest!
We are thrilled to share the success of our inaugural Clay Wine Contest. Our mission has been to create a unified platform for all wines fermented in clay vessels, honouring humanity’s oldest winemaking tradition.
This initiative is a tribute to this ancient craft and an effort to build a comprehensive database and space dedicated to clay-fermented wines.
This unique style—embracing Amphora, Dolium, Karas, Kvevri (or Qvevri), Pithos, Talha, Tinaja, Zir and other clay vessel fermentation methods—is experiencing a well-deserved resurgence.
With its growing popularity, our goal is to make these exceptional wines more accessible to professionals (trade, sommeliers, and merchants) and consumers alike, offering an opportunity to taste and discover the very best clay wines.
Highlights from Our First Year:
- Over 80 wines entered from 9 different countries!
- A ground-breaking approach to judging:Instead of assigning points or rankings, our results are based on detailed feedback from our esteemed panel of judges.
- Recognition includes two top prizes and six “Best of the Best” accolades.
Upcoming Events: In February, we will host tasting events showcasing all our winning wines in London and Edinburgh. Stay tuned for the announcement of exact dates!
Looking Ahead: Starting in January, we will open submissions for next year’s contest. Producers are invited to complete the online entry form on our website (https://80-20wines.com/)
Thank you to all participants for contributing to this exciting initiative. We look forward to discovering more unique ancient-style fermented wines from around the world!
Warm regards,
Mako Abashidze & Tanya Mann
Founders of the Clay Wine Contest
2025 CONTEST RESULTS
CLAY MEDALS – JUDGES CHOICE
WHITE
– Mildiani Family Winery, Bouquet Kisi Qvevri 2014, Georgia
RED
– De Bortoli, Melba Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Amphora 2022, Australia
– Pirveli, Saperavi Qvevri 2022, Georgia 4/5 zara 5 5 second day
– Voskevaz, Areni Noir Karasi Collection 2019, Armenia
ABOVE GROUND CATEGORY
SHORT SKIN MACERATION
None this year
MEDIUM SKIN MACERATION
RED
– De Bortoli, Phi Freemans Bridge Grenache Amphora 2022, Australia
LONG SKIN MACERATION
WHITE
– Nuovaera, Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia Bianco in Anfora 2023, Italy
UNDER GROUND CATEGORY
SHORT SKIN MACERATION
WHITE
– Voskevaz Karasi Collection, Voskehat 2017
RED
– Barbale, Shavkapito Qvevri 2021, Georgia
MEDIUM SKIN MACERATION
WHITE
– Zorah, Heritage Chilar Karasi 2020, Armenia
RED
– Voskevaz, Haghtanak 2019, Armenia
LONG SKIN MACERATION
WHITE
– Blackbird, Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2021, Georgia
GUARANTEED EXCELLENCE
WHITE
– Doctors Bio Cellar, Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2021, Georgia
– Giuaani Manavi, Mtsvane Qvevri 2014 Georgia
– Mamiseuli Marani, Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2021 Georgia
– Mildiani Winery, Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2021, Georgia
– Pirveli, Khikhvi Qvevri 2022, Georgia
– Pirveli, Kisi Qvevri 2022, Georgia
– Vache Winery, Rkatsiteli-Mtsvane 2023, Georgia
RED
– Barbale, Budeshuri Saperavi Qvevri 2022, Georgia
– Tinatin, Saperavi 2022, Georgia
