Marani Telavi Wine Cellar

Marani Telavi Wine Cellar: A Journey Through History and Tradition

Foundation and Historical Development

The Marani Telavi Wine Cellar was founded in 1915 on the outskirts of the town of Telavi, in the heart of the Kakheti region. For over a century, it has successfully combined traditional Georgian winemaking with modern techniques to produce wines of the highest quality.

The Minds Behind the Success

The winery is run by a dedicated team committed to quality and innovation:

• Raphael Genot – Contract winemaking consultant with international experience in France, Spain, and Australia.
• Beqa Sozashvili – Head winemaker, who began his career in the winery and is distinguished by hard work and passion.
• Dimitri Badzoshvili – Senior winemaker with extensive experience in technical management and organization of the wine cellar.
• Tamar Gurgenashvili – Head of quality control, hailing from a family with over a century of winemaking tradition.
• Mariam Zaridze – Deputy head of quality control and microbiologist with a Master's degree in Chemistry.

Kakheti: The Heart of Georgian Winemaking

Geographical Location and Features

The winery is located in the Kakheti region, in the fertile Alazani Valley, which stretches between the Greater Caucasus and the Tsiv-Gombori mountains. This location provides ideal conditions for viticulture, with a combination of clay soils on limestone bedrock and a microclimate influenced by the surrounding mountains.

Climate and Terroir

The climate in Kakheti is a mix of humid subtropical and continental climates. The cold air flowing down from the glaciers of the Caucasus creates a microclimate with significant temperature differences between day and night, allowing for optimal ripening of the grapes.

Preferred Grape Varieties

In the vineyards of Marani Telavi Wine Cellar, both indigenous and international grape varieties are cultivated:

• Saperavi
• Rkatsiteli
• Alexandreuli
• Mtsvane
• Kisi
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Malbec
• Chardonnay
• Riesling

Winemaking at Marani Telavi Wine Cellar

Tradition Meets Modernity

The winery combines traditional Georgian winemaking methods with modern techniques:

• Use of Qvevri (large clay amphorae) buried in the ground for fermentation and aging.
• Utilization of stainless steel tanks with temperature control for precise fermentation processes.
• Use of oak barrels and barriques for aging certain wines.

Stylistics and Wine Types

Marani Telavi Wine Cellar produces a variety of wines that reflect the diversity and depth of Georgian terroir:

• Dry white wines with fresh fruit aromas and vibrant acidity.
• Robust red wines with complex aromas and balanced structure.
• Amber wines made using the traditional Qvevri method, impressing with their depth and complexity.
• Sweet wines with intense fruit aromas and harmonious sweetness.

Special Wine Lines and Awards

Exclusive Wine Lines

The winery offers several special wine lines, each showcasing unique characteristics and qualities:

Satrapezo Collection – This exclusive line includes wines made using the traditional Georgian Qvevri method. It unites centuries-old winemaking culture with modern quality standards. The wines are powerful, profound, and showcase the authentic character of the Kakheti region.

Kindzmarauli & Akhasheni – These semi-sweet red wines from the Saperavi grape variety come from well-defined microregions with controlled designation of origin (PDO). They are rich in fruit aromas and perfectly balanced with fine residual sweetness.

Estate Bottled Wines – This line includes wines made exclusively from the estate's own vineyards. They reflect the terroir particularly authentically and are an expression of the highest quality and care.

Awards and International Recognition

The wines from Marani Telavi Wine Cellar are highly esteemed internationally and have received numerous awards. Here is a selection of accolades:

• Decanter World Wine Awards: Marani Saperavi – 90 points (Silver)
• Mundus Vini: Marani Kindzmarauli – Gold Medal
• International Wine & Spirit Competition: Satrapezo Mtsvane – 91 points
• International Wine Challenge: Marani Mukuzani – Silver
• Berliner Wein Trophy: Marani Rkatsiteli – Gold

These awards confirm the consistent quality and international standing of the winery in the world wine market.