Levan Mekhuzla: “During the 2026 harvest, we are introducing three different grape prices”
“For the stable development of the winemaking sector, care for wine quality must begin in the vineyard. To obtain high-quality wine, grapes must reach the required level of ripeness and the vine must be less heavily loaded. Last year’s harvest showed that some grape growers do not comply with these conditions. Against the backdrop of declining global wine consumption and high competition on the international market, we are introducing three different grape prices for the 2026 harvest,” stated Levan Mekhuzla, Chairman of the National Wine Agency, while speaking about the Agency’s summary of the current year and future plans.
According to the Chairman of the Agency, grapes with sugar content below 17% will be equated with hybrids (grape varieties prohibited by the Law on Vine and Wine) and will be assigned a low price. In the case of white grapes with sugar content of 17–21% and red grapes with sugar content of 17–23%, the price will be less than 1 lari. Grapes will be classified as wine grapes if their sugar content/condition exceeds 21% for white grapes and 23% for red grapes.
The Chairman of the National Wine Agency also spoke about the planned legislative amendments, which are likewise aimed at the production of high-quality wine.
Last week, the Government of Georgia reviewed and approved the draft law “On Amendments to the Law of Georgia on Vine and Wine,” the purpose of which is to promote the production of high-quality, competitive grape-based alcoholic beverages, as well as to take into account the requirements of local and international markets for their commercialization. The new regulation provides that, starting from next year, permission for the establishment of commercial vineyards will be issued by the LEPL National Wine Agency.
“Since the state has to intervene in the harvest using appropriate instruments, grape growers must also take into account the conditions set by the state. This is the only way to produce products of the highest quality. Over the past decade, interest in the sector has been high, vineyard areas have been expanding, and this has been happening spontaneously. One large company planted a vineyard on clay soil, which dried out within a few years; there were cases when vineyards were planted at such an altitude above sea level where vineyard cultivation is not possible. Starting from soil, exposure, location, variety, rootstock—everything must comply with the standards that will allow us to obtain a quality harvest that will be used to produce the best wine. These changes apply only to commercial vineyards and do not apply to already established vineyards, nor to those who plan to plant vineyards for personal consumption. The conditions for establishing new commercial vineyards will be set out in the relevant normative act, and if these conditions are met, no one will face difficulties in obtaining permission,” Levan Mekhuzla stated.