The Director of the LEPL Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, Levan Ujmajuridze, Chairman of the LEPL National Wine Agency, Levan Mekhuzla, Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Center for the Caucasus, Sofiko Ahobadze, and leaders of the Aspindza Municipality met with local winegrowers and winemakers in the Meskheti region.
The meeting was held in Aspindza Municipality within the framework of ecosystems and rural settlements of the project “Sustainable management of agro-diversity in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region” financed by the Caucasus Regional Environmental Center. Scientific support of the project is implemented by the Agricultural Scientific and Research Center.
The parties discussed the historical past of the Meskhurian vineyard-winery, the current situation, the importance of restoration and implanting local vine varieties, the legal and institutional framework of geographical celebration, the issues of terroir determination, as well as the technical specifications of vineyards, wine production, and quality control mechanisms.
According to Levan Ujmajuridze, Director of the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, the search, scientific research, and restoration of local varieties of Meskhuri grapes is a strategic direction necessary for the region.
“Meskheti is historically an important corner of the vineyard, and this potential still creates a real foundation today. Building a new vineyard should first and foremost be based on local, sought-after, and restored vine varieties, their research, management, including terrace placement, knowledge, and modern technologies, which are the basis for producing quality and demanding different types of wine,” Levan Ujmajuridze noted.
The meeting gave special attention to the importance of agro-diversity studies, the issues of inclusion of local varieties in the national catalog, the different soil and climatic conditions in the region, the support of small-family farms, and the prospects of building a Mesquian wine brand, among other things, for integration with agroecotourism.
After the discussion, the idea was to create a Vineyard and Winemakers Association, which will work with the support of state institutions and experts in the field, to develop vineyard-winery in the region, including theoretical and practical training, knowledge sharing, and coordinated activities.
This merger will promote the position of Mesquian wine as a product of regional identity and high quality, in local and international markets.
