In the world of Georgian natural wine, few names command as much respect as Iago Bitarishvili. From his modest 2-hectare vineyard in the village of Chardakhi, near the ancient Georgian capital of Mtskheta, Iago has become a true guardian of tradition and a pioneer who helped introduce the world to Georgia's extraordinary winemaking heritage.
What makes Iago's story so remarkable? He works with just one grape variety: Chinuri.
While most winemakers diversify their portfolio across multiple grape varieties, Iago has dedicated his life to perfecting wines from this single, indigenous Georgian grape. The result? Some of the most pure, compelling, and sought-after natural wines coming out of Georgia today.
The First Organic Winery in Georgia
Iago Bitarishvili founded his winery in 2003 with a clear mission: to make wine the traditional way of his region, respecting both ancient methods and modern ecological principles.
In 2005, Iago's Wine became the first winery in Georgia to receive organic certification, a milestone that positioned him as a pioneer not just in natural winemaking, but in sustainable viticulture across the entire country.
Today, his 60 year old Chinuri vines are cultivated using traditional organic methods in the historic Mukhrani Valley of the Kartli region. Approximately 10,000 bottles are produced per year, all made entirely in qvevri using wild yeasts, no additives, and minimal intervention.
And 100% of his production is exported to wine lovers around the world who understand that what Iago creates is something truly special.
Why Chinuri? The Grape That Chose Him
Ask Iago why he works exclusively with Chinuri, and his answer is disarmingly simple: "I don't have any choice."
As he explains in interviews, when he was born, his father made wine from Chinuri. His grandfather did too. For over a thousand years in Georgia, grape varieties have been inseparable from their places.
"Many times in my life it was possible to change my place," Iago says. "But I cannot. The wine will be different. I need to keep my place. It's the same like a cheese cellar: people try to keep the bacteria the same. You don't change your place because you need to keep this flora and fauna together."
This is terroir in its truest sense, not just soil and climate, but generational knowledge, local yeasts, and an unbroken connection to place.
Chinuri itself is a noble grape indigenous to the Kartli region. The name is thought to come from the Georgian word "chini," meaning the oil-green color of the grape's foliage during full ripeness. It produces wines with delicate aromatics, crisp acidity, and when fermented on skins in qvevri, extraordinary texture and complexity.
The Qvevri Method: Wine Made by Nature
Iago's winemaking philosophy can be summed up in one sentence: "People cannot make better than nature can make."
All of his wines are fermented and aged in qvevri, large clay vessels buried underground that have been used in Georgia for over 8,000 years. This UNESCO-recognized method is more than a technique; it's a living tradition that Iago has mastered.
How Iago Makes Wine:
- Harvest: Grapes are picked in October when both the fruit and stems are fully ripe
- Whole-cluster fermentation: Grapes go into qvevri unpressed, with stems intact
- Wild yeast fermentation: Only indigenous yeasts from the grape skins are used
- Natural filtration: The stems and skins settle naturally, clarifying the wine without mechanical filtration
- Extended maceration: Depending on the wine, maceration lasts from a few days to six months
- No additions: No commercial yeasts, no sulfites (or minimal), no fining, no filtering
The result is wine that tastes like it came from the earth itself, pure, honest, and deeply connected to its origins.
International Recognition: From Vogue to The New York Times
Iago's wines haven't just gained a cult following among natural wine enthusiasts they've been celebrated by some of the world's most prestigious publications.
Vogue Magazine (2015) featured Iago's Chinuri at the #1 spot in their article "Forget Red, White, and Rosé—Orange Wine Is What You Should Be Sipping This Fall." At $19, it was not only the top-ranked wine but also the most affordable on a list that included bottles priced up to $55.
The New York Times included Georgia (and by extension, winemakers like Iago) in their "52 Places to Go in 2015," highlighting the country's winemaking renaissance.
The Ritz London added Iago's 2007 Chinuri Amber to its prestigious wine list a testament to how his wines resonate even in the world's most refined settings.
Wine critics and writers consistently describe Iago as one of the most influential figures in Georgia's modern wine revival. As Campbell Mattinson writes, "It would be hard to find an individual who has had more influence over the fortunes of a nation's wines than Georgian winemaker Iago Bitarishvili."
The Wines: Three Expressions of Chinuri
At Alevino, we're proud to offer three exceptional wines from Iago's portfolio, each showcasing a different side of the Chinuri grape:
Chinuri Amber 2022
Iago's signature wine and one of the most beautiful amber wines you'll ever taste.
Fermented and aged for 6 months on skins and stems in qvevri, this wine glows with a deep golden-amber hue. The extended maceration extracts incredible complexity: notes of dried apricots, honeycomb, chamomile tea, and toasted almonds, with a fine tannic structure and a long, mineral finish.
This is amber wine at its finest, elegant yet powerful, with the kind of texture and depth that only months of skin contact can achieve.
Perfect for: Adventurous wine lovers, amber wine enthusiasts, anyone curious about what Georgian wine can be at its best.
Chinuri White 2020
The purest expression of Chinuri.
Made without skin contact, this wine is fermented and aged in qvevri using only the juice. The result is a crisp, elegant white wine with vibrant acidity, notes of green apple, white flowers, citrus peel, and a subtle mineral backbone.
This is Chinuri in its most delicate form, fresh, clean, and utterly drinkable, yet with the complexity and character that comes from wild yeast fermentation and qvevri aging.
Perfect for: White wine lovers, those new to Georgian wine, anyone looking for a natural wine with purity and finesse.
Chinuri Pet-Nat 2022
A joyful, sparkling expression of Chinuri.
This pétillant-naturel (pet-nat) is made using the ancestral method, with fermentation finishing in the bottle to create natural carbonation. Light, lively, and refreshing, with gentle bubbles, notes of ripe pear, white peach, and a hint of bread crust from the lees.
It's playful yet serious, easy-drinking yet complex, everything you want in a natural sparkling wine.
Perfect for: Celebrations, aperitifs, anyone who loves natural sparkling wines, summer sipping.
Why We're Proud to Import Iago's Wines
At Alevino, we believe in working with winemakers who embody integrity, tradition, and a deep connection to their land.
Iago Bitarishvili represents all of this and more.
His wines aren't just delicious, they tell a story. They connect us to 8,000 years of Georgian winemaking tradition, to the Mukhrani Valley's unique terroir, and to a winemaker who has dedicated his life to doing one thing exceptionally well: making honest wine from Chinuri.
We have limited stock of these wines available, and we've chosen to prioritize direct-to-consumer sales rather than wholesale channels because we want these bottles in the hands of people who will truly appreciate them.
If you've been curious about Georgian natural wine, Iago's wines are the perfect introduction. If you're already a fan, these bottles belong in your collection.
How to Enjoy Iago's Wines
Serving temperature: Serve whites and amber wines slightly cool (12-14°C), not ice-cold. Pet-nat can be served colder (8-10°C).
Decanting: The amber wine especially benefits from decanting or at least 30 minutes of air.
Aging potential: These wines can age beautifully for 5-10+ years in proper cellar conditions.
Food pairings: See our individual wine pages for detailed pairing suggestions, but in general:
- Amber: Rich cheeses, roasted vegetables, grilled fish, Georgian cuisine
- White: Oysters, fresh salads, grilled chicken, sushi
- Pet-Nat: Aperitif, light appetizers, fried foods, brunch dishes
Visit Iago's Winery
If you ever find yourself in Georgia, visiting Iago's winery in Chardakhi is an unforgettable experience.
Located just outside Mtskheta (less than an hour from Tbilisi), the winery offers tours and tastings by appointment. You'll see the qvevri cellar, walk through the 60-year-old vineyard, taste wines paired with Georgian food, and meet Iago himself, along with his wife Marina, who also makes wine under her own label.
As Vogue notes, "It's difficult to imagine anyone more excited about making natural wine than these two."
Book in advance: tour@iago.ge
Shop Iago's Wines at Alevino
We're honored to bring Iago Bitarishvili's exceptional Chinuri wines to Belgium.
Limited stock available:
- Chinuri Amber 2022 — Our most sought-after amber wine
- Chinuri White 2020 — Pure, elegant, classic
- Chinuri Pet-Nat 2022 — Sparkling joy in a bottle
Free shipping on orders over 100 €
Questions? Contact us at hello@alevino.be
Further Reading
Want to learn more about Iago and his wines? Here are some excellent resources:
- Vogue: "Forget Red, White, and Rosé—Orange Wine Is What You Should Be Sipping This Fall"
- NY Times: "52 Places to Go in 2015"
- Vintner Project: Interview with Iago Bitarishvili
- RAW Wine: Iago's Winemaking Philosophy
- Campbell Mattinson: Portrait of Iago Bitarishvili
About Alevino
Alevino imports exceptional Georgian natural wines to Belgium. We work directly with small family wineries who make wine with integrity, tradition, and minimal intervention.
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Email: hello@alevino.be
Published: [Date]
Category: Winemakers, Georgian Wine, Natural Wine
Tags: Iago's Wine, Chinuri, Amber Wine, Qvevri, Kartli, Organic Wine, Natural Winemaking