Winery · Racha

Racha-Lechkhumi Khvanchkara

Name: Racha-Lechkhumi Khvanchkara
Address: Racha, GE

Racha-Lechkhumi nestles between Imereti and the Greater Caucasus — highest precipitation in Georgia feeds Khvanchkara's naturally semi-sweet reds from Aleksandreuli and Mujuretuli grapes (23%+ sugar harvest). Dark ruby color, raspberry flavor, distinctive bouquet from Likha ridge slopes.

What to do there

TourRacha-Lechkhumi KhvanchkaraKhvanchkara's natural sweetness happens because mountain cold arrests fermentation at –1°C after five to seven days. No sugar is added. Dimitri Kipiani created the wine and won the Gold Grand Prix at Brussels in 1907. The Bolsheviks confiscated his cellars. He died homeless in 1934. At the Tehran Conference in 1943, Stalin poured Khvanchkara for FDR and Churchill. Roosevelt asked about growing Georgian grapes in California. Churchill asked for a second glass. Racha-Lechkhumi is 3.5 hours from Tbilisi by car — the remoteness is part of the point. The 11th-century Nikortsminda Cathedral was standing before England had a king.