LEGEND VIVI

In order to preserve the Georgian gene pool, over a century ago, the first Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking in the region – VIVI was founded.

The leading specialists under the leadership of Solomon Cholokashvili started working towards the founding of scientific-research institute of Viticulture and Winemaking, in order to save Georgian vine.

The work included searching, collecting, researching and preserving of aborigine varieties of vine. For this purpose, the first scientific-experimental base was established.

In Telavi, on the first collection plot, there were gathered more than 400 ancient Georgian varieties of vine.

1921

The scientists gathered at the Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking made it possible to protect the vines from the widespread disease at that period – phylloxera.

It was the Institute where the issue of dividing into districts of the production varieties was raised, for the first time; the clones of production varieties were separated.

There was planted the ampelographic collection in Telavi experimental bases – on the plot of 3.5 ha, more than 1000 varieties. 350 of those varieties are of Georgian origin. Up to 700 varieties were imported from the former Soviet Union republics, about 58 varieties were imported from other foreign countries.

1937

The Institute was a host for the World Congress. By this way the connection with Europe was established and popularisation of the Georgian wine began all over the world.

In connection with the 10th world congress of winegrowers and winemakers, there was opened the experimental cellar where were preserved unique wine library with 30 000 bottles of wine. The oldest bottle was the wine bottled in 1906.

With the great efforts of the company of Wine Kakheti and the active participation of the institute’s representatives, the work began to preserve the unique experience of the vine growing, caring and of producing the wine

Nowadays, we get the highest-quality harvest from the vineyards cultivated by using of a century-old experience, and produce the premium quality wine.