Open letter to
The Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia,
Mr. Shalva Papuashvili,
Chairman of the Agrarian Affairs Committee,
Mrs. Nino Tsilosani
The first deputy of the Agrarian Affairs Committee,
Mr. Gela Samkharauli
Deputy of the Agrarian Affairs Committee,
Mr. Samvel Manukyan
From the representatives of the wineries of Georgia
We, the representatives of the wineries of Georgia, believe that the draft “foreign agent” law initiated by the MPs of the majority party in the Parliament of Georgia will harm the wine sector at large. This includes grape growers, wine producers, non-profit organizations, associations, winemakers' associations and guilds advocating for the interests of various entities operating in the field. The draft law especially hurts micro, small, and the medium-sized entrepreneurs by thwarting their capacity for developmennt and growth.
It is worth noting that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and other international missions and programs operating in Georgia have been supporting Georgian winemaking and viticulture for decades. These institutions have been at the forefront of a number of large-scale transformative projects for the development of the wine industry and have faithfully been serving the interests of our state.
With the support of foreign organizations a laboratory that adheres to international wine standards has been established in Georgia, Georgian vineyards have been officially mapped, internationally accredited educational programs, such as WSET, have been implemented, a complete scientific study of Georgian clay has been conducted, and the compliance of kvevri with international food safety standards has been established. During Russia's embargo on Georgian wine (2006-2013), thanks to close cooperation with international media and importing companies, it became possible for large wineries to access new markets, including such large and attractive ones like the United States of America.
Through international programs, with the support of donor organizations, and in cooperation with non-profit organizations, a number of micro, small, and medium-sized wineries have been strengthened or established throughout Georgia. Within the framework of these projects, it became possible to provide these wineries with infrastructural support and technical equipment. Further, these projects helped winemakers and grape growers attain new agricultural knowledge, develop their marketing expertise, and support the exportation of their wine. As a result, Georgian winemakers can now access important markets like the United Kingdom, Japan, USA, France, Germany, Denmark, and others.
Because of international collaboration, now Georgian wine represents our country as the “Homeland of Wine” at international wine fairs; Georgian wines are now featured on the wine list of the world's highest-rated restaurants. Additionally, the world has gotten to know the rare, indigenous Georgian varieties, our local wine traditions, and Georgia’s best viticulture zones and terroirs. In recent years, many farmers, inspired by such successful examples, have returned to the countryside, adding entrepreneurial value to the traditional work carried out by their forefathers and ancestors.
Georgia has been recognized by the world as the homeland of wine precisely because of the support of our foreign friends: on the one hand, international research conducted by the world's leading universities in cooperation with local scientists supports our historical claims to our wine history, and on the other hand, Georgia as the homeland of wine is supported by influential global media outlets (BBC, NY Times, CNN, Forbes and many others). Accordingly, with the help of foreign organizations operating in Georgia and abroad, the efforts of state and non-entrepreneurial entities made it possible to create a new, authentic image of Georgian wine, liberated from Soviet clichés. With their support, it became possible to trace independent paths that move beyond the unstable, politicized market of Russia, and that emphasize our natural, historical and civilized environment, with which we are connected by our great traditions of winemaking.
We urge you not to support this above-mentioned bill, otherwise:
1) Micro, small, and medium producers of grapes and wine, as well as vine seedlings, will lose the opportunity to access financial, infrastructural, technical, and educational assistance from international donors and non-commercial organizations;
2) Independent professional associations, communes and guilds operating in the wine sector will lose the opportunity to receive international funding and the ability of to dispurse these funds in accordance with the needs of the industry and entrepreneurs operating in the industry, for example for research or educational purposes, for advocating the interests of entrepreneurs, and for wine festivals or exhibitions;
The adoption of a law contrary to the founding principles of the European Union risks damaging the reputation of Georgian wine and, more generally, Georgian products entering the European market. This questions the foundations of long-lasting, consistent state policy implemented with the aim of popularizing Georgian wine. In the wine sector, civil organizations, which until now, mostly relied on international financial support, will weaken and disappear. The irreversible, successful development of small and medium-sized wine businesses in Georgia would be breached and, as a result, many wineries would face an existential threat.
Each member of the Parliament, especially the leaders and members of the Committee of Agrarian Affairs, should be well aware of these potential risks and strongly and effectively oppose the adoption of the “Foreign Agent” law. Otherwise, you will be collectively, and individually, responsible for the subsequent unfortunate development of aforementioned consequences.
06.03.2023
1.Oda Family Winery - Keto Ninidze
2.Mshvenieradze Winery - Giorgi Mshvenieradze
3.Martvilis Marani - Zaza Gagua
4.Menabde Winery - Vakhushti Menabde
5.Vazha Getiashvilis Marani - Rezo Getiashvili
6.Iago's wine - Iago Bitarishvili
7.Wine Artisans - Andro Barnovi
8.Papari Valley - Nukri Kurdadze
9.Latibashvili's Wine - Nodar Latibashvili
10.Tsikhelishvili Winery - Alexi Tsikhelishvili
11.Artanuli Gvino - Kakha Berishvili
12.Okro Wines - John Okruashvili
13.Pheasant Tears Winery - John Wurdeman
14.Nikoladze Winery - Ramaz Nikoladze
15.Aleko Sardanashvilis Marani - Aleko Sardanashvili
16.Archil Guniava's Wine Cellar - Archil Guniava
17.Anemo - Ana Godabrelidze
18.Winery Kalami - Malkhaz Kharbedia
19.Makaridze Winery - Gogita Makaridze
20.Family winery Gebrale - Vazha Kasrelishvili
21.Pantsulaia Family Winery - Murman Pantsulaia
22.Marani Enkeni - Lasha Guruli
23.Nika Vacheishvili's Marani - Nika Vacheishvili
24.Gvintesti- Vano Shiukashvili
25.Madamwine - Manana Akhvlediani
26.Freya's Marani - Enek Peterson
27.TDWinery - Tengiz Dvalishvili
28.Chortauli Vineyards - Aleko Tskitishvili
29.Kortavebis Marani, Tamuna's wine - Tamar Bidzinashvili
30.GOGO Wine - Ketevan Berishvili
31.Samtavisi Winery - Mamuka Kikvadze
32.Nebi - Beka Aslanishvili
33.Chona's Marani - Mikheil Chonishvili
34.Marani Velino - Beka Jimsheladze
35.Chito's Gvino - Nino Chitoshvili, Vano Mosemgwdlishvili
36.Nikalas Marani - Zurab Mgvdliashvili
37.Tilisma Winery - Kathy Hubert
38.Variani's Marani - Ivane Stefanashvili
39.Khvtisia wine - Zurab Khvtisiashvili
40.Robi's Winery - Robi Zirakashvili
41.Malati Winery - Tamar Gerliani
42.Marani Chubini - Tornike Chubinidze
43.Pataridze's Rachuli - Shorena Pataridze
44.Winery Klakni - Vladimir Nachkebia
45.White Mulberry - Natia Chekurishvili
46.Lapauri Wine - Data Lapauri
47.Arbo's Cellar - Shio Maisuradze
48.Tedos Marani - Tedo Gzirishvili
49.Matiashvilis Marani - Merab Matiashvili
50.Buas Marani - Sandro Buadze
51.Natenadze Winery - Giorgi Natenadze
52.Bibineishvili Wines - Giorgi Bibineishvili
53.Mavino - Marina Kurtanidze
54.Mamiseuli Marani - Tamar Mosiashvili
55.Nadelebi - Guram Maisuradze
56.Ghvinia - Shalva Alelishvili
57.Kamo's Winery - Levan Kamushadze
58.Rotcho's Vineyards - Tamar Bochoridze
59.Broladze Winery - Zaza Broladze
60.Asatiani Wine - Zviad Asatiani
61.Mandzula's marani - Salome Mandzulashvili
62.Bolnuri wine - Vakhtang Chagelishvili
63.Miranda's Wine - Miranda Chkhetiani
64.Peri Wines - Revaz Tsetskhladze
65.Marani Silovani - Lasha Shvitaridze
66.Orta - Tamar Khvedelidze
67.Kapito Cellar - Besik Karabaki
68.Doctor's Bio-cellar - Marieta Kakiashvili, Teimuraz Ruadze
69.Komli - Lika Megreladze
70.Akhmeta Wine House - Anna Imedashvili
71.Loladze Family Winery - Erekle Loladze
72.Avalishvilis Marani - Shmagi Avalishvili
73.Batsashvilis Wine Gallery - Ilia Batsashvili
74.Winery Jorjino - George Meshveliani
75.Kvevriseuli - George Mkhatvrishvili
76.Ilia's Wine Cellar - Ilia Malakmadze
77.Buneburi - Aleko Jakhua
78.Zhuka-Sano Wine - Tako Zhuruli
79.Mukuznis Marani - Natia Managadze
80.Japara Winery - Guja Japaridze
81.Gotsiridze Winery - Andro Gotsiridze
82.Lagvani - Sanata Tsitsuashvili
83.Zorba Wines - Besik Sabashvili
84.Chubo Wines - Levan Chubinidze
85.Kartuli Marani - Irakli Kobidze
86.Nino Meris Wine Cellar - Nino Meris Madzgharashvili
87.Lagazi Wine Cellar - Shota Lagazidze
88.Qilipa's Chacha - Irakli Kiliptari
89.Winery Dano - Nona Mchedlishvili
90.Alapiani - Merab Mirtskhulava
91.Sopo's Family Winery - Sopo Muchiauri
92.Marani Sachino - Maia Katsitadze
93.Toreli Winery - Nika Javakhishvili
94.Miro Wines - Ketevan Vashakidze
95.Gia Jamberidze's Family Cellar - Gia Jamberidze
96.Tinatin Wine - Tinatin Jakhua
97.Tsanka's Wine - Nini Tsankashvili
98.Goderdzishvili Winery - Elguja Goderdzishvili
99.Demi's Winery - Guliko Panchulidze
100.Amiran Vepkhvadze Cellar - Amiran Vepkhvadze
101.Marani Tvaladuri - George Razmadze
102.Iases Marani - Gogita Mchedlishvili
103.Lomtadze Family Wine - Sopio Samteladze
104.Khidishlebi - Khatia Khidisheli
105.Ghvardzelashvilis Marani - George Ghvardzelashvili
106.Shermadini Winery - Shota Shermadini
107.Gotsa Wines - Beka Gotsadze
108.Giorgi Revazashvilis Marani - Giorgi Revazashvili
109.Solomone - Davit Chachanidze
110.Nanua Winery - Givi Chubinidze
111.Gremelashvili Wines - David Gremelashvili
112.Baruli Wine Cellar - Lasha Lomidze
113.Ghvino Kartlisa - David Kharazishvili
114.Simon Chkheidze Wine Cellar - Mamuka Chkheidze
115.Mtevani - Zaur Natsvlishvili
116.Khvanchkara Terrace - Mikheil Mghebrishvili
117.Nikolaishvilebi's Winery Phesvebi - Ilia Nikolaishvili
118.Tedzami Wines - George Malatsidze
119.Irmas da Katos Venakhebi da Marani - Irma Merebashvili
120.Famcy Wines - George Poroshini
121.Petriaant Marani - Revaz Petriashvili
122.Antadze Wines - Niki Antadze
123.Vintners and Vagabonds - Aidan Raftery
124.Dzveli Nekresi - Besik Gugava
125.Niabi Winery - Niko Beriashvili
126.Tiko Estate
127.Spring Fields
128.Kardanakhi Estate
129.Giorgis da Iraklis Marani
130.Wine Producer - Mikheil Dolidze
131.Wine Club - Natia Gachechiladze
132.Wine guide - Lela Jojua
133.Ia's Family Winery
134.Kizikuri Traditsiuli
135.Bediseuli
136.g.Vino - Vakhang Khutsaidze
137.Wine journalist - Levan Sebiskveradze
138.Saamuri - Maia Chokhonelidze