SHUMI Winery #56
Discover the Unique Blend of Georgian History, Culture, and Wine
SHUMI Winery & ESTATE is located in a historical place and borders the National Park and Museum named after A. Chavchavadze. Previously, the territories of SHUMI and the national park were one property, which at different times belonged to the kings of Georgia and Kakheti, prince Alexander Chavchavadze, Georgia’s national poet, and served as the summer residence of the Russian Emperor Alexander III.
The territory on which SHUMI is located, as a result of the flood of 1865, turned into a rocky shore. The Company cleared and drained the marshland. After that, a unique Tourist Complex was built on more than 12 hectares, which has no analogues in the world both in its infrastructure and in content. You will not find as many samples of Georgian culture collected in one space as in SHUMI: the world’s largest private vineyard with an extensive collection of varieties; the First Wine Museum in Georgia, the Decorative Garden, where sculptures of famous Georgian and international artists are presented; the Marani; the Enoteca; the Georgian Ethnographic Pavilion; the VINOBIZA Pavilion; the Gestalt House; Gastronomic Zone with Restaurant; Cafe, Terraces; Tasting Areas; Rose Garden with several thousand roses and more than 700 species on the territory of the complex; Orchard with more than 400 varieties of various fruits, including the rarest varieties of Georgian fruits, which SHUMI has been collecting from individuals for many years, a bio garden, with many local varieties (heirloom) of vegetables and much more.
Maintaining Georgia's Viticulture and Winemaking Traditions
SHUMI began its activity in 1997, acquiring historical terroirs in various microzones of Georgia, which have a thousand-year tradition of viticulture-winemaking. In 2001, SHUMI completed the construction of production facilities and harvested the first grapes. In 2003, in order to preserve the integrity of the genetics of Georgian autochthonous grape varieties, SHUMI created the First Private Ampelographic Collection in Georgia, which today is recognized as the largest private collection in the world. SHUMI has set a WORLD RECORD and is the owner of the largest private ampelographic collection on the planet, to date, the collection includes 2003 grape varieties from 49 countries, some of which grow only in this vineyard.
Preserving Georgia's Autochthonous Grape Varieties
For thousands of years, there have been more than 500 autochthonous grape varieties in Georgia, which are the pride of the country. Unfortunately, some of them have been lost or are on the verge of extinction. SHUMI scoured Georgia far and wide searching for the diverse grape varieties, and as a result saved several dozen very specific grape varieties native to Georgia and saved them from extinction. To this day, the Company successfully fulfills this historic mission, with great enthusiasm continues to find and return rare grape varieties both from local private vineyards and from various collections around the world. Although the Georgian gene pool is rich in unique wine grape varieties, which allow to create ideal wines, today, unfortunately, a large number of grape varieties are forgotten and are not used for economic purposes and wine production.
Highly qualified specialists working on the basis of the SHUMI collection vineyard for many years have rediscovered many varieties from the collection. To return them to production, the company planted industrial vineyards. SHUMI produces unique wines made from this rare grape variety. Some of them, revived by SHUMI, were moved to the Georgian ampelographic gene pool along with autochthonic grape varieties, as completely individual varieties with great oenological potential. SHUMI Ampelographic Collection, which serves as a basis for scientific research, is included in the list of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at the United Nations and has its own unique code. Georgian, French, Italian, Japanese and other scientists conduct research, experimental work, seminars for students and employees of various educational institutions. SHUMI specialists are constantly researching and identifying the potential of rare varieties of vines. SHUMI was the first to cultivate autochthonous vines that were on the verge of extinction, such as Ubakluri, Simonaseuli, Shavi Rkatsiteli and others, and created a new line of wines “LOST COLLECTION”. The revival of extinct varieties is a decades-long path that requires unconditional dedication to one’s cause. Using the potential of a unique collection vineyard, SHUMI brings rare vines back to life, guided by the principles of sustainable development. For the company, the creation of wines from the rarest autochthonous is not just a production, but a mission to preserve biodiversity and natural balance. Giving a second birth to forgotten varieties, SHUMI embodies them in exclusive wines with a unique character.
SHUMI Winery produces wine from 27 varieties of grapes, with the exception of exclusive alcoholic beverages, for the preparation of which in some cases more than 450 varieties are used.
The work of producing the best wine in the vineyards begins with the delicate care of the vineyards, where most of the work is done manually throughout the year – every decision made in the management of the vineyard is further reflected in the quality of the wine. SHUMI is very sensitive to the environment, so it makes only small interventions in the local ecosystem and helps preserve natural flora and fauna. The use of pesticides is minimized, and in some vineyards only bio- and biodynamic methods are used.
Parcellation of the SHUMI vineyards and separate vinification for these plots
After studying its vineyards for more than a dozen years, SHUMI decided to divide them into parcels. According to the observations of SHUMI’s specialists, different areas of the vineyards differed from each other in soil type, microclimate, and other parameters and required individual care in order to achieve the highest quality of grapes. SHUMI is the first company in Georgia that has optimized growing and harvesting methods according to the specific needs of each plot. Dividing the vineyards into parcels allowed to appreciate all the nuances that a single terroir can express within a single vineyard, and to create wines of diverse styles and characteristics.
SHUMI is the first winery in Georgia to produce a certified organic wine as well as the first to utilize and develop biodynamic and green harvest wine-making methods, almost all its wines are vegan. SHUMI is the first company in the history of Georgian viticulture that used the method of “green harvesting”. In order to better emphasize the character of its own unique terroirs, SHUMI, in cooperation with the Free University of Brussels, implemented the use of cultivated yeasts obtained from the same terroirs: Mukuzani, Kindzmarauli, Napareuli, on which the grapes were harvested.
Combining Centuries of Georgian Viticultural Traditions with Modern Biodynamic Methods
Georgia has ancient traditions of viticulture and empirical experience. Agrotechnical measures for the care of vineyards have been developed and improved for thousands of years. SHUMI uses the experience accumulated over the centuries in the cultivation and care of its own vineyards. The best example of this is the “Salome” vineyard with the Georgian Saperavi variety cultivated in the Napareuli microzone in 1997, which was conducted by biomethods until 2012 and then cultivated by biodynamic methods. Along with the world experience of biodynamic farming, SHUMI Winery uses Georgian traditional agrotechnical measures for growing grapes. The company produces exclusive, limited production of SALOME wine only in the best harvesting years.
SHUMI is the only Georgian company whose wines are included in The World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection.
SALOME wines included in this list have received 75 highest awards at the world’s most prestigious competitions. This unique wine technology has been created by the famous French winemaker Jean-Michel Ferrande and the Georgian winemaker Giorgy Khatiashvili.
SHUMI produces a wide range of bio wines, in the production of which wild yeast is used, living in the natural environment of growing grapes: IBERIULI Bio Saperavi, GEORGICA Bio Qvevri Rkatsiteli, VINOBIZA Premium Bio Saperavi, IBERIULI Bio Saperavi Qvevri, Bio Chacha – national high alcoholic beverage and others. SHUMI Wine Cellar stores organic wines from the 2008 harvest to the present day with aging potential for more than half a century.
From Hand-Harvesting to State-of-the-Art Equipment
Grapes are harvested in the SHUMI’s vineyards only by hand, in small baskets, in the coldest period of the day and for vines intended for premium wines, the method of “green harvesting” in summer and triage in autumn is used. Grapes are sorted twice by hand before processing and the wines of the highest quality are produced and maximally convey the character of the SHUMI terroirs. For the manufacture of alcoholic beverages, stainless steel containers are used, Qvevri – clay jugs buried in the ground, barrels – exclusively from French oak. SHUMI WINERY is equipped with technologically advanced equipment of the latest generation, which provides precise control over all stages of the wine production process, and is considered one of the best in Georgia. SHUMI has implemented the latest international standards for the quality management and safety system under the ISO 22000: 2018.
The Art of Crafting Premium Wines at SHUMI Winery
For the production of alcoholic beverages, the Georgian ancient method in Qvevri and as well as the latest world methods of winemaking are used. One of the most challenging aspects of Qvevri winemaking is compliance with sanitary standards, as the use of all chemicals to wash the jugs is prohibited. Qvevri must be washed only with means obtained from different plants that have antiseptic properties and require specific knowledge and experience of the worker.
SHUMI participates in an international project aimed at promoting abroad the traditional Georgian way of winemaking in Qvevri, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013.
The Qvevri Cellar Museum was established at Plumpton College in the UK with the support and participation of SHUMI. The cellar has both a museum and cultural and educational function: it informs students and those who are interested in the history of Georgia, viticulture and winemaking, about the method of winemaking in Qvevri. Within the framework of the project, students of the University of Plumpton undergo an internship in the production of Qvevri wine, in SHUMI Winery, Georgia.
SHUMI has a number of inventions and patents. It offers a wide range of Qvevri wines. The company is convinced that the potential of Qvevri has not yet been fully revealed and conducts many experiments using Qvevri. with successful results, they are introduced into production. This is how wines appear, for example: SHOBILI – Qvevri sparkling wine, created using SHUMI technology, it combines 8000 years of the history of Georgian winemaking and 400 years of French champagne; BARBALE is the world’s first and only ice wine produced in Qvevri; for the preparation of this unique alcoholic beverage, 102 rare grape varieties were collected in the vineyard of the SHUMI Ampelographic Collection.
SHUMI produces a wide range of alcoholic beverages: white, pink, amber and red; dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet and sweet wines, sparkling wines, ice wine, fortified wines, brandy, chacha.
SHUMI‘s portfolio includes unique wines and beverages that have no analogues in the world, such as: GENESIS is a completely new word in the world of wine, wine is made from grapes of more than 300-year-old vine, which rarely gives a harvest. As a sign of respect for the historical vine, SHUMI Winery erected a monument – a prototype of the statue of this vine on the territory of the Tourist Complex; LAZARE – represents the history of Georgian viticulture and winemaking for more than 80 centuries, more than 450 grape varieties from the SHUMI Ampelographic Collection have been used; ZIGU is an exclusive drink that has no analogues in the world, created by the patented SHUMI technology and produced from more than 350 rare grape varieties grown in the vineyard of the SHUMI Ampelographic Collection; LOST COLLECTION, a series of extraordinary wines made from ancient indigenous Georgian grape varieties, such as such as Ubakluri, Simonaseuli, Sakmiela, Chitistvala, Danaharuli and others, lost to winemaking for centuries.
SHUMI Winery offers visitors a wide and original selection of tasting packages: IBERIULI Premium Wine Tasting (one vineyard, one grape variety – two technologies); Saperavi IBERIULI Wines (one grape variety – different microzones); Tasting of BIO Wines; Vegan Wine Tasting; Vertical Tasting of Exclusive SALOME Wine; Chacha Tasting; Brandy Tasting, and many others.
In addition to alcoholic beverages, SHUMI also produces various food bioproducts. Such as: churchkhela “Tsinandali” (Georgian traditional dessert), which is extraordinarily unique created with a technique developed and patented exclusively by SHUMI and made from organic whole meal flour of the ancient native Georgian wheat variety, “Tsiteli Doli”, it is rich in biologically active substances, vitamins and minerals, which are widely known to provide health benefits; khmiadi (Georgian traditional baked bread), bio honey, grape and fruit juices, Georgian endemic plants, tea, balsam, olive oil and others.
Georgia is a unique genetic center: out of 28 main types of wheat, 14 are of Georgian origin, and five are strictly endemic. This ancient culture of growing cereals is recognized as an intangible heritage monument and is under the auspices of UNESCO, confirming the status of Georgia as the homeland of not only wine, but also bread.
When SHUMI decided to use Tsiteli Doli wheat flour for cooking, this type of flour was not available then. The company managed to find only seeds, and since then, SHUMI has been growing this rare wheat on its lands using a biodynamic method, offering guests the taste of real historical bread, churchkhela, khachapuri, etc.
Lunch and dinner are available at SHUMI Winery & Tourist Complex or at one of SHUMI’s biodynamic vineyards at the foot of the dramatic Caucuses mountains and picnic in Walnut Grove surrounded by wild nature. The menu reflets a wide range of Georgian dishes prepared from local high-quality ingredients and SHUMI-grown organic products. Some of the patented cooking methods and recipes are unique and do not exist anywhere else in the world.
SHUMI products are acclaimed for their quality, they have earned more than 900 prestigious international awards, including prizes and medals that no other company in the history of Georgia has ever received. SHUMI exports its products to 32 countries around the world.
In 2025, SHUMI set a WORLD RECORD and received an official certificate as the creator of the largest private ampelographic collection on the planet.
In 2025 and 2024 SHUMI Winery entered the Top 100 Premium Wine & Spirits Brands of the World. This prestigious recognition highlights SHUMI Winery’s commitment to excellence innovation, and dedication to creating memorable experience in the global wine and spirits industry.
SHUMI Winery is regularly recognized as the BEST PRODUCER OF GEORGIA at the most important prestigious competitions in the world, such as: MUNDUS VINI Grand International Award and ASIA WINE TROPHY.
SHUMI is the only Georgian company whose wines are included in The World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection.
SHUMI is the absolute record holder for the number of awards in the history of the prestigious international competition WINE TRAVEL AWARD (WTA), in addition to the Grand Prix and 9 trophies won in London, SHUMI became the winner in all categories according to the results of the WTA public online voting: Must Visit; Brand – Visiting card of the country; Progressive approach; Authentic location; Object d’Art; Unique program; Cultural mission; Magnet of the region; An effective event, Art & History Object.
On a regular basis, SHUMI is the winner in the nomination THE BEST WINE TOURISM AWARD of the national tourism award WELCOME TO GEORGIA.
SHUMI is the winner in the category THE BEST LOCATION FOR GASTRONOMIC REGIONAL TOURISM in the framework of WELCOME TO GEORGIA National Tourism Award.
For the first time in the history of Georgia, SHUMI became the winner in the nomination THE BEST PRACTICE RELATED TO ARCHAEOBOTANICAL IN WINE TOURISM at the international competition in Sicily organized by the Council of Europe.
SHUMI regularly receives TripAdvisor – “Travelers’ Choice” awards.
The territory of SHUMI Tourist Complex is regularly recognized as the most beautiful in Georgia according to the results of the annual competition “Clean Region”, implemented by the non-governmental organization of Georgia with the support of the Swedish government.
Reviews
I finally made it to Kakheti’s most renowned winery. A long walk awaited us: from sun-drenched vineyards to the cool cellars, where magic is born inside clay qvevris. The local cuisine was beyond praise. I opted for a rather expensive wine that ended up being the highlight of the trip. Perhaps it was the best sparkling wine of my life — a surprising confession for someone who has always been indifferent to whites. Naturally, I tucked away a bottle to take home with me.