We had a fantastic time, as always, at the Bolnisi festival in the old Swabian/German town of Bolnisi (Ekaterinefield) south of Tbilisi. Following this I was privileged to attend a small group wine tasting of 12 rare wines at Sadzvele Wine Bar in Tbilisi, so I’ve included information on this as it was quite fascinating.
In total, 92+12 (104) wines from 36+1 (37) producers, this week.
Being surrounded by historic 19th century German architecture & cobbled streets while drinking Georgian wines in the heartland of Georgia (Kartli) has quite the charm to it. The Bolnisi festival is focused on Georgian PDO (appellation) wines. We explored a range of wines from the local Bolnisi & Asureti PDOs as well as many guest wines from PDOs around Georgia, and a few non-PDO wines that were excellent.
At Sadzvele, underneath the cellars of the historic 19th century Wine Factory in Vera, we were hosted by Mr. Levan Ujmajuridze & Mr. David Chichua from the Jighaura Scientific Research Center north of Tbilisi. Of the 12 grapes tasted, at least 5 I had never tasted before, this is how rare they are. All were vinified by the research center themselves as experimental samples to test the potential of these endemic grapes for replanting. If you never tried “Grdzelmtevana” or “Noshrio”, amongst others, then this was a Georgian wine enthusiasts’ dream rare grape tasting.
Though we try to be as objective as possible in these assessments, some things should be taken into account:
- Blind tasting was not possible, so small biases may exist inadvertently.
- The tasting environment of a busy outdoor festival is not ideal and some factors affect the tasting:
- Environmental odors – from people walking around with coffee to strong perfume etc.
- Inconsistent lighting for assessing appearance and color.
- Full rinsing of glasses between every tasting was impractical, though we tried as best as possible.
- Tasting at Sadzvele was more controlled, and expertly presented, which helps!
We tasted about 70% of all vendors on offer.
We did not taste every wine from each vendor.
It should be noted that we mostly skipped wineries which we know to typically be consistently great from prior tastings, or because we already tasted them at previous festivals this year – you can read those reviews here:
Zero Compromise | Wyndham & Saamuri Festival | New Wine Festival (Mtatsminda)
So wineries that we’ve found to be consistently good or very good in the past, may very well have made it on either list below even if we’d had the time.
So, we may have missed some excellent wines. But from what we did taste, we hope you will enjoy discovering some of the below which we gave upper category ratings. And, we’ll be back at Georgia Wine Expo this weekend (6th June), where I hope to taste at least 300 wines over 3 days.
If we missed anything awesome, please let us know your favorites on any of our social media posts for this article:
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(Links will be posted as soon as we post these articles on social)
Ratings are based on Balance / Length / Intensity / Complexity and Style (ie. how they fit within the category of the style/intention of the wine). A “very good” rating would be made when 3 to 4 of these criteria have been met successfully. Some consideration is given to young wines that have the potential to arrive at this level in an expected timeframe of aging.
There are many more wine festivals coming soon, and we intend to publish our favorites for those too.
Bolnisi Wine Festival, May 31st 2025
This is the first official Bolnisi “PDO” wine festival, celebrating PDO (appellation) wines from across Georgia but with a focus on the Kvemo Kartli region (the state where Bolnisi is located). Around half the wineries were from Kvemo Kartli, and the rest from all across Georgia. Though all were supposed to be “PDO” some were not, which is actually better as some wineries only have 1 or 2 PDO wines, and its nice to get to try a range from everyone.
The festival was nestled on the streets of the old town, between old German buildings from the old 19th century, as Bolnisi used to be a German (Swabian) settlement.
Note my “personal top picks” are somewhat based on a more subjective bias of wine styles I love. But everything on the list in general I’ve rated as objectively as possible.
92 Tastings, from 36 wineries.
In order of which i did the tastings, not in order of preference.
All wines below achieved “very good” or better. Including a few that were on the cusp from good to very good and also deserved a mention.
- Royal Dadiani – Salkhino Ojaleshi PDO 2020 (Euro, Oak 6 months)
- Terra Kisi
- Tsitska 2024 Euro
- Rkatsiteli Bolnisi PDO 2024 (Late Harvest, Oak)
- Kardenakhi 1888 – Akhoebi 2019 (This vineyard is featured in other review posts for many wines not listed here)
- Ucha Chubini – Manavi PDO 2024
- Mukhuzani Wine Cellar
- Pinot Noir 2021 (Qvevri + 18 month Oak)
- Saperavi Rosé 2022
- Mukhuzani PDO 2020 (Qvevri + 18 month Oak)
- Mukhuzani PDO “Cargot” 2021 (Appassimento (dried grapes) + Qvevri + 12 month Oak) – Personal Top Pick
- Sevsamora
- Tsinandali PDO 2022
- Chinuri / Danakhaluri Semi-Sweet Rosé 2022
- Tavkveri Semi-Sweet 2020 (noted for uniqueness, I have to say this wine is controversial – love or hate. You decide!)
- Meltioni – Bolnisi PDO Rkatsiteli 2024
- Rtoni – Kvanchkara PDO 2024 (Made the list for potential, not ready to drink yet)
- Friend’s Wine – Mtvane Akhmeta PDO 2023 Qvevri
- Gurashivili – Tibaani (Rkatsiteli) PDO 2021 Qvevri
- Japaridze – Bolnisi PDO Rkatsiteli 2024 Euro
- Nucmino – Bolnisi PDO Rkatsiteli 2024 Euro
- Vinotells
- Napareuli PDO 2022
- Mtsvane Sparkling (Charmat Method) 2024
- Saperavi Pet Nat 2023
- Otskhanuri Sapere 2019 (Oak Vat Fermentation)
- Bolnisi Old Marani – Asuretuli Shala PDO Red 2022
- Ateni Terraces
- Shavkapito 2022
- Goruli Mtsvane / Chinuri 2023
- Mukhuguli (sadly they’d finished most of the wines and did not get to try many, they are normally very consistent)
- Rkatsiteli 2023 Qvevri
- Bolnisi PDO Saperavi 2020 Euro – Personal Top Pick
- Dzmebis Marani (Brother’s)
- Bolnisi Red Blend Shavkapito / Tavkveri / Saperavi 2024 Oak Vat Fermentation
- 37 year aged prune liqueur
- Gulordava Family Winery
- Bolnisi PDO Rkatsiteli 2022 Qvevri – Personal Top Pick
- Saperavi Khashmi PDO 2022
- Chateau Svanidze – Mukhuzani PDO 2022 (14 Month Oak)
32 wines, from 19 wineries in the upper category!
Sadzvele Wine Bar 12 Rare Wines Tasting – Tbilisi – June 3rd 2025
This was a unique wine tasting experience with our group of 30 or so, in the presence of some of the most important researchers in Georgian endemic grapes from the Jighaura Scientific Research Center. A very professional experience with excellent wine service from the team at Sadzvele wine bar at Wine Factory in Vera.
The wines are not for sale as such, but grapes to look out for (even if very hard to find!)
12 tastings, from 1 winery (The Jighaura Scientific Research Center).
Normally I only list the best wines, but as this list of grapes is so unique, I’m listing all the wines, noting which were good or very good, and which fell a little below my usual minimum for inclusion in these articles.
Notable Wines!
- გრძელმტევანა – Grdzelmtevana (white) 2024
- კუნძა – Kundza (white) 2024 – Personal Top Pick #1 wine of the week!
- ჭვიტილური – Chvitiluri (white) 2024
- საკმიელა – Sakmiela (white/gold late harvest) 2024 – Personal Top Pick.
- სიმონასეული – Simonaseuli 2023
- ადანასური – Adanasuri 2023
- ნოშრიო – Noshrio 2023
Other interesting but less notable wines.
Do these rare varietals still have potential? Possibly, but the examples tasted here were acceptable, and not a higher level.
- ჯვარი – Jvari 2023
- მესხური მწვანე – Meskhuri Mtsvane 2024
- რაჭული მცვივანი – Rachuli Mtsvivani 2024
- კოლოში – Koloshi 2022
- საწური – Satsuri 2023
7 wines, from 1 winery that made it into the higher category!
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RESULTS: 39 Wines from 20 Wineries in the higher category.
I’ll be back with more wine lists from Wine Expo Georgia 2025. And other festivals throughout 2025.
Thanks to The Amazing Winemakers!
Congratulations to all the amazing wineries that made it into our upper category ratings. As well as all the other amazing winemakers who continue to make the Georgian natural wines scene one of the most exciting and diverse in the world!
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