| From Terroir to Bottle: Everything You Need to Know about ORGO and DILAO Wines |
By Maya Javakhishvili | Editorial Director of Homeland of Wine Magazine
What do we mean when we talk about the Fine Wine category? Naturally, we mean elegant, expressive wines made with meticulous care from grapes grown on the finest soils. They reflect their terroir, have the potential to age, and, with time, develop into truly great wines. The Fine Wine category brings together exactly these kinds of wines, produced by winemakers who instil high standards in both the vineyard and the cellar. They never compromise on quality, placing it above any commercial considerations. Welcome to the world of Teleda Orgo’s Fine Wine category, where quality, a winemaker’s modern approach, and the wine’s compelling character are the defining qualities that have earned the company’s wines a devoted following across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Teleda Orgo is located in Kisiskhevi, Telavi. The area’s history stretches back to the Bronze Age, and during the Hellenistic period it was an important geographical trading hub. The company’s name combines an ancient toponym with a traditional technology: Teleda is the ancient name of Telavi, while Orgo was the traditional Georgian term for a qvevri lid.
The symbol of Teleda Orgo is the Borjgali, a traditional Georgian emblem representing the sun, light, eternity, fertility, and the cycle of life. The energy the sun gives to the vine is passed from the vine into the wine, and it is this very energy that flows through every bottle of Teleda Orgo.
Orgo’s story begins in 2012. Its creation stems from the partnership between Gogi Dakishvili and Mamuka Tsereteli, which has become an example of a successful brand. Orgo combines Gogi Dakishvili’s winemaking expertise with Mamuka Tsereteli’s understanding of the American market and its particular demands.
When the idea for Orgo first took shape, the natural wine boom was already underway worldwide. We knew we had to create a brand that would stand as a symbol of quality and position us in the premium segment. It is thanks to Gogi that, over time, Orgo has become one of the hallmarks of the finest Georgian wines on the American market, says Mamuka.
The Dakishvili family is a renowned name in winemaking. For years, Gogi Dakishvili has worked tirelessly to realise the potential of Georgia’s ancestral wine region, Kakheti, transforming the diversity of its soils, landscapes, and grape varieties into a symphony of wines at Teleda’s cellar.
Teleda, with an annual production of 100,000 bottles, is represented on both local and international markets under two brands: Orgo and Dilao. The latter was created specifically for the American market, while Orgo is exported to numerous countries around the world.
Teleda Orgo
The Sun’s Eternal Energy in Wine
Harmony with nature is a defining feature of the Dakishvilis’ winemaking. Gogi Dakishvili has planted eco-sustainable vineyards in Kurdghelauri, Kondoli, and Maghrani, from which Orgo wines are produced.
The core principle of an eco-sustainable approach is that the winemaker must treat the soil, the vines, and the people working in the vineyard with respect, caring for and protecting them. As a winemaker with years of hands-on experience in vineyard management, I can say that every effort we put into the vineyard is reflected directly in the quality of the wine, says Gogi Dakishvili.
Under the Teleda Orgo label, still, sparkling, and fortified wines are produced.
Orgo Rkatsiteli Amber dry wine
Aromas of dried apricot, almonds, wildflowers, and honey, with subtle mineral notes. A full-bodied wine with pronounced tannins, balanced acidity, and a velvety texture.
Orgo Kisi Amber dry wine
Notes of yellow damsons, plums, almonds, and ginger, with delicate aromas of orchard blossoms and seaweed. An intense, full-bodied wine with pronounced tannins and minerality, balanced acidity, and a velvety texture.
Orgo Cuvée white dry wine
Produced from Kisi, Mtsvane, and Rkatsiteli grapes using the traditional method. Rich aromas of pear and wildflowers. Lively citrus notes on the palate, complemented by a mineral finish.
Orgo Sparkling Mtsvane Premier Brut
The base wine undergoes fermentation in a qvevri without marc. Secondary fermentation takes place following the traditional méthode champenoise, followed by three years of ageing on the lees in the bottle. The wine offers rich aromas of green apple, lemon, and pear, with a yeasty character and a mineral-driven finish.
Orgo Saperavi
A dry red wine with real complexity. Aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, spice, and tobacco are layered with subtle humus notes. On the palate, it is rich and full-bodied, with refined, rounded tannins and a long finish.
Orgo Magari (Saperavi Ruby) A fortified dessert wine
Complex, with aromas of cherry, forest berries and raisins layered with toasted oak. On the palate it is full-bodied, with a long finish of lingering sweet spice.
Kenichi Ohashi MW
Orgo wines are among the most respected wines in Georgia. Many high-quality wines are produced in this historic country, yet Orgo’s wines stand out for me. Their signature crisp, defined dryness is perfectly balanced and complemented by a richness of aromas. Achieving such complexity is not easy, but for the winemakers at Orgo, it clearly is. These wines are always elegant and diverse.
Producing exceptional wines in the region is no easy task. This work is definitely not for the faint-hearted. In Gogi Dakishvili’s case, heritage and extensive experience speak for themselves. This calm, self-assured winemaker is exceptionally exacting with both himself and his craft.
At Telada Orgo cellar, the entire winemaking process is carefully controlled. Gogi Dakishvili consistently succeeds in bringing together diversity, tradition, and modern approaches in his wines. For years, these wines have been featured in restaurants around the world, including those with Michelin stars. One such restaurant is Mirazur, in Menton, France, with three Michelin stars, a twenty-year history, and the renowned chef Mauro Colagreco. Orgo’s cuvée is listed on Mirazur’s wine list.
Orgo’s wines are made from old vines, which is a major advantage. When a vine is 50 years or older, its root system is deeply established in the soil. It draws essential trace elements from different layers, which are crucial for developing the wine’s aromas and structure. Over time, yields decrease, while concentration and intensity in the flavours increase. This is precisely why wines made from old vines are so distinctive. We always aim to capture the very best of the vineyard, taking into account the climate and soil, and transfer it as faithfully as possible into the wine. The wine should be a worthy reflection of all of this. We also consider that consumers’ tastes are constantly evolving, so we cannot offer a monotonous, characterless wine. I always pay close attention to what the consumer wants and to contemporary trends, says Gogi Dakishvili.
One of Orgo’s wines is Kisi. This aromatic grape variety is highly sensitive to terroir. Its native regions are Argokhi, Babaneuri and Maghrani, where it develops its best qualities. The climate here is relatively cool, so the grapes ripen later than Kisi grown in the warmer areas of Kakheti. Gogi Dakishvili has played an important role in reviving this ancient Georgian endemic variety.
Flying with Orgo Saperavi
Export is one of Teleda Orgo’s most important directions. The company’s wines reach numerous countries around the world. The largest volumes go to the US, where the company has been present since 2013, as well as to Europe and other regions, including France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Japan, Latvia, and Armenia.
In April 2025, Teleda Orgo began a collaboration with Hong Kong’s leading airline, Cathay Pacific, which operates flights to over a hundred destinations. The aim of Cathay Pacific’s new project is to develop a premium gastronomic offering, providing refined dishes and the finest wines made from unique grape varieties for business-class passengers.
On board Cathay Pacific, passengers are served a Saperavi from Teleda Orgo, aged in qvevri, a wine that takes them on a journey through Georgia’s centuries-old history.
Ronald Khoo | Cathay’s Wine, Spirit & Beverage Manager:
Orgo Saperavi 2023 perfectly reflects the philosophy of Cathay Pacific’s Discovery series. This grape variety, along with the qvevri method of winemaking, which is older than many civilizations, represents a true treasure of humanity. Tasting Orgo Saperavi is, therefore, akin to taking a journey through time. Chosen for business class passengers, this wine is fermented in qvevri, continuing Georgia’s uninterrupted 8,000-year winemaking tradition. Our aim is to offer passengers a unique experience with Orgo Saperavi, where heritage, terroir, and innovation come together in perfect harmony.
Derek Li | Best Sommelier in Greater China 2015
(Hong Kong Sommelier Association and Sopexa).
Advanced Sommelier of the Court of Master Sommelier.
Decanter Asia Wine Awards Wine Judge: The Tedela Orgo Saperavi, with its profound character, perfectly showcases both the fine qualities of the variety and the terroir. Its bouquet of delicate notes of red fruit, spices, and tobacco is harmoniously complemented by hints of earthiness. The wine is complex and refined, elegant and impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed it in the Discovery Wine Series of Cathay Pacific Business Class.
Taylor Parsons | Master Sommelier from Whole Cluster Consulting: Gogi Dakishvili is one of those winemakers whose impact is almost impossible to fully describe with words alone. The depth of his contribution to the post-Soviet landscape of Georgian wine calls to mind other legendary winemakers across the world who, in similar fashion, pushed their regions forward without ever losing sight of the most important elements of their respective traditions…names like Jayer and Chave, Mondavi and Draper, Antinori and Conterno all come to mind. His respect for Georgia’s past, his sensitivity to the challenges and the opportunities afforded by modern technology, his impeccable skill as a winemaker and his unimpeachable taste make him one of the defining voices of Georgian wine, and one of its most impactful international ambassadors.
Dilao – The Dawns and Dusks of Georgia in America
Today, Teleda Orgo and Dilao wines are available in the United States, with annual sales reaching 50,000 bottles, Dilao is a line created specifically for the American market, offering qvevri-aged wines that are lively, with relatively light tannins and a vibrant body.
On the labels, the amber wine – Rkatsiteli Mtsvane – features the rising sun, dawn while the red – Saperavi – depicts the setting sun, dusk. Both feature people dancing. Today, it is precisely Georgia’s Dilao dawns and dusks that can be found in 22 states across the USA.
We began exporting to the American market with Orgo. The success of this wine inspired us to take the next step: creating a new wine tailored specifically for American consumers, for whom traditional Georgian qvevri wines are less familiar and harder to understand. This journey led to our new brand- Dilao.
It was the fourth year of our collaboration when we began developing Dilao. The market itself guided us in creating this line: a wine that appeals to a wide range of palates, interesting and gastronomically versatile, always qvevri-aged but with a lighter body. That’s how Dilao was born. It was Dilao that ultimately opened the door for us to reach so many states across the US, says Mamuka.
