Teliani Valley Wines

The history of Teliani Valley dates back to the 19th century, when the emperor’s brother, Mikhail Romanov ordered an ample wine cellar to be built on the premises of the old wine cellar and Aleksandre Chavchavadze’s wine factory.

In 1880s, a winemaker from Bordeaux, Antoin Mossano was invited to the wine cellar. Mossano stayed in Georgia for 9 years and he was the first winemaker to start experimenting with a mix of Georgian grape varieties and European winemaking techniques, and visa versa. He initiated the growing of numerous French grape varieties in Georgia.

From new varieties, Cabernet-Sauvignon grapes grown on Teliani Valley proved especially successful. Mossano made a new wine called “Teliani” and sent the first bottle to the emperor. It read: “Cabernet-Sauvignon from Teliani Valley, 1893, Antoin Mossano”.

The wine garnered a great deal of praise. Thus, a tiny plot of land in Kakheti was made famous by “Teliani” and Mossano. In the old wine cellar of Tsinandali you can still find “Teliani” wine from various vintages, along with other French-Georgian wines and cognacs.

Nowadays, Aleksandre Chavchavadze’s estates holds the vineyards of Teliani Valley. We maintain the tradition of excellence and offer our customers wines made from ancient grape varieties, in accordance with both traditional and Georgian-European techniques.

Teliani Valley 'Winery 97' Kakhuri No.8 2020

In a nutshell: Rich, refreshing and dry skin-contact orange wine from eastern Georgia.
The lowdown: A wine made by the modern and experimental Winery 97 of Teliani Valley winery in eastern Georgia. Here Teliani have mixed a modern facility, young winemakers and the 2020s with historical Georgian grape varieties and ancient winemaking techniques. Kakhuri No.8 is a blend of selective parcels of grapes Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane, Khikhvi and Kisi which are fermented on their skins for just over a week and then left for six months to mature on the skins as well. From the skins the wine extracts more flavour, tannin and a wonderful amber/orange colour. Punchy aromas of ripe stone and tropical fruits lead onto a really fresh and dry medium-bodied palate with dried fruit and nutty flavours, spice, fresh tannins and a clean finish. Great food wine and an approachable yet satisfying example of a skin-contact white, aka orange wine.
When to drink: Great food wine, works especially well with fish, cheese, and pork dishes. Serve cool rather than Arctic Circle straight-out-the-fridge cold.

Teliani Valley 'Winery 97' Saperavi 2020

In a nutshell: Vibrant Georgian red filled with loads of crunchy dark fruits.
The lowdown: A fresh and modern style of Georgia's native red grape variety Saperavi, one of only a handful pf grapes which derives colour from its flesh as well as the skin (almost all red grapes get all their colour from the skin; the flesh produces white juice). Based in eastern Georgia Teliani Valley winery sprang up with enthusiasm in the post-Soviet '90s and their Winery 97 is indeed a separate winery dedicated to producing small batches of fun, modern, forward thinking wines. Their Saperavi is super fresh and vibrant that is strikingly deep purple in colour and bursting with crisp dark berry and cherry fruit aromas. The palate is full of crunchy dark fruits, touches of spice, young tannin and refreshing acidity.
When to drink: A joyful wine that pairs well with a variety of meat dishes, from burgers and barbecues to a more local spicy sausage stew.