Winemaking Tradition

Bakashvili's Georgian Wine - Crafting Excellence, Qvevri Style

Heritage Uncorked: Experience the Essence of Georgian Wines, Steeped in Tradition and History, with Every Sip Unveiling a Tale of Centuries Past

See How It Made

Winemaking Tradition

Our History

The village of Sakobo in the Signagi district belongs to the Tibaani winemaking zone, located in the inner region of Kakheti, in the eastern part of the Alazani Valley, on the southeastern plain of Gombori, at coordinates 41°35' and 46°00'. The absolute elevation of the viticulture zone ranges from 350 to 550 meters above sea level. The Bakashvili family has lived in Tibaani since the 18th century. Like almost every family in the area, they have maintained a Marani (traditional Georgian winery) for as long as they can remember. The Marani—often referred to as "Marani/home" by locals—connects the bedroom directly to the wine cellar with a single door, symbolizing the central role of winemaking in the family’s daily life. Ako Bakashvili, who runs the family business, is a financier by profession. However, his love for family heritage...

History image
×

Our History

The village of Sakobo in the Signagi district belongs to the Tibaani winemaking zone, located in the inner region of Kakheti, in the eastern part of the Alazani Valley, on the southeastern plain of Gombori, at coordinates 41°35' and 46°00'. The absolute elevation of the viticulture zone ranges from 350 to 550 meters above sea level. The Bakashvili family has lived in Tibaani since the 18th century. Like almost every family in the area, they have maintained a Marani (traditional Georgian winery) for as long as they can remember. The Marani—often referred to as "Marani/home" by locals—connects the bedroom directly to the wine cellar with a single door, symbolizing the central role of winemaking in the family’s daily life. Ako Bakashvili, who runs the family business, is a financier by profession. However, his love for family heritage and a touch of luck brought him back to winemaking. In 2014, together with his father, Ako decided to revive the family tradition of producing wine in Qvevri. At first, it was merely a hobby, meant for family and friends. But after a wine expert, by chance, tasted the wine at a gathering and recognized its potential, Ako was encouraged to take his winemaking to another level and commercialize it. Not long after, in 2016, Bakashvili Wine made its first official appearance at the Tbilisi Wine Festival, where it received tremendous recognition. This success gave Ako the motivation to continue improving and expanding the family business. Around the same time, Ako’s brother’s painting, The Sommelier, was stolen from an art gallery in Moscow. The only remaining low-quality photograph of the artwork later inspired Ako to use it as the wine label, turning it into a tribute to his brother’s art. Today, Bakashvili Winery produces Rkatsiteli, Kisi, Khikhvi, Saperavi, Malbec, and a Cabernet Franc blend—natural wines crafted with minimal human intervention, following ancient Georgian Qvevri traditions. Annual production is limited to 4000–5,000 bottles. Bakashvili wines, easily recognized by their unique label, can now be found in select specialized wine shops in Georgia, Germany, and Austria.

Our Best Spirit

Limited editions, limitless pleasure: Indulge in the pinnacle of Georgian winemaking

Rkatsiteli

Dry amber wine Qvevri unfiltered

Bottle750ML

Kisi-Khikhvi-Rkatsiteli

Dry amber wine Qvevri unfiltered

Bottle750ML

Saperavi

Dry red Qvevri wine unfiltered

Bottle750ML

Khikhvi

Dry amber wine Qvevru unfiltered

Bottle750ML

Kisi

Dry amber wine Qvevru unfiltered

Bottle750ML

Chacha

Aged in oak barrel
ALC 50%

Bottle500ML

Our Winemaking Process

From Vine to Sip: The Story of How our Wines are Made in Bakashvili's winery

At Bakashvili Winery, every bottle begins with a deep respect for our land, our vines, and our family tradition. We are located in the heart of Kakheti, where the soils, sunlight and cool breezes of the Alazani Valley create ideal conditions for healthy, expressive grapes. From the very beginning, our aim has been to produce wines that honestly reflect this unique environment and the centuries-old knowledge of our ancestors. Our approach is rooted in the ancient Qvevri method – a winemaking tradition recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. Grapes are harvested by hand from small, carefully tended plots in the Tibaani zone to ensure only the best fruit enters the cellar. Picking by hand allows us to select bunches at optimal ripeness and handle them gently, preserving the natural bloom of wild yeasts on the skins.

Winery image
Winery image

After harvest, the grapes are gently crushed and transferred – skins, juice and sometimes stems – into large clay Qvevri vessels buried underground in our Marani. These vessels act as both fermenter and aging vessel, maintaining a stable temperature and creating a natural micro-oxygenation that shapes the character of the wine. Fermentation begins spontaneously with the native yeasts present on the grapes; we do not add cultured yeasts or chemical additives. This is how our ancestors made wine, and we continue the practice to capture the truest expression of the fruit.

×

Our Full Winemaking Process

At Bakashvili Winery, every bottle begins with a deep respect for our land, our vines, and our family tradition. We are located in the heart of Kakheti, where the soils, sunlight and cool breezes of the Alazani Valley create ideal conditions for healthy, expressive grapes. From the very beginning, our aim has been to produce wines that honestly reflect this unique environment and the centuries-old knowledge of our ancestors. Our approach is rooted in the ancient Qvevri method – a winemaking tradition recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. Grapes are harvested by hand from small, carefully tended plots in the Tibaani zone to ensure only the best fruit enters the cellar. Picking by hand allows us to select bunches at optimal ripeness and handle them gently, preserving the natural bloom of wild yeasts on the skins. After harvest, the grapes are gently crushed and transferred – skins, juice and sometimes stems – into large clay Qvevri vessels buried underground in our Marani. These vessels act as both fermenter and aging vessel, maintaining a stable temperature and creating a natural micro-oxygenation that shapes the character of the wine. Fermentation begins spontaneously with the native yeasts present on the grapes; we do not add cultured yeasts or chemical additives. This is how our ancestors made wine, and we continue the practice to capture the truest expression of the fruit. During the long fermentation, the wine is carefully watched and stirred by hand to integrate flavors and ensure balance. Once fermentation finishes, the wine remains in Qvevri for an extended maceration and aging period. This slow, patient process allows tannins to soften, aromas to deepen and the wine to develop its signature texture and complexity. The clay itself imparts subtle earth notes and a gentle roundness, linking each bottle to the soil of Tibaani. When the time is right, the wine is drawn off the sediment and moved to stainless steel or glass for final settling. We bottle everything ourselves in small batches, using minimal filtration to keep the wine “alive” and vibrant. Each step – from vineyard to cellar to label – is done by our family with care and attention, so that what you taste is the genuine result of nature and tradition working together. The result is a collection of natural wines – Rkatsiteli, Kisi, Khikhvi and Saperavi – that embody both the ancient Qvevri tradition and the personal touch of our family. Limited production, usually between 4,000 and 5,000 bottles a year, ensures that every bottle receives the same dedication. Our wines carry not only the flavor of our grapes but also our story, our heritage and our belief that wine is not just a drink, but a living connection between people, place and time.

Contact image

Write us

We will be happy to recieve letter from you