SHUMI Winery #76
More than 25 Years of Exceptional Georgian Wines Rooted in Mythologyogy
“SHUMI” in ancient Georgian means “the best wine”. It still means the same!
SHUMI Winery has more than 25 years of history in viticulture and winemaking and, thanks to the quality of its products, has an excellent reputation as a producer of Georgian wines.
The symbol of SHUMI is the Griffin (“Fhaskunji” in Georgian mythology). According to an ancient legend, it was the Griffin who brought the first bunch of grapes to people, which marked the beginning of the cultivation of the first vineyards on Earth.
SHUMI Winery was founded in 1997. According to the strategic plan, the company began its activities with the cultivation of vineyards in the unique microzones of Georgia with a multi-thousand-year history of viticulture. SHUMI’s vineyards are located in the unique winemaking micro-climates of Georgia. They are: “Didkure” in Napareuli, “Nadarbazevi” in Mukuzani, “Nadolobari” in Kindzmarauli, “The Valley of Roses” in Tsinandali and others. Many of the vineyards are surrounded by wild nature.
In 2001, the construction of SHUMI Winery was completed, in the same year the first grapes were harvested. From the very beginning, SHUMI has maintained and never strayed from its mandate: an uncompromising demand for the absolute highest quality products and the constant setting and re-inventing a global standard of excellence each year.
SHUMI Winery is the first company in Georgia that: applied the “green harvesting” method in its vineyards; used a bio method of vine cultivation; made organic wine; used a biodynamic method of cultivating vines.
SHUMI, in cooperation with the Free University of Brussels, was the first in the history of Georgian winemaking to use cultivated yeast obtained from the same terroirs: Mukuzani, Kindzmarauli, Napareuli, on which the grapes were harvested.
SHUMI revealed the wine potential of several Georgian autochthonous varieties, such as: Ubakluri, Simonaseuli, Shavi Rkatsiteli, etc., and the company was the first in the world to start producing wine from these varieties.
SHUMI has a number of inventions and patents.
Advanced Facilities and Diverse Grape Varieties
The Winery is equipped with the latest generation technologically advanced facilities. The company produces wine from 27 varieties of grapes, if you do not take into account the exclusive SHUMI alcoholic beverages, for the preparation of which in some cases more than 450 varieties are used. For the production of SHUMI alcoholic beverages, grapes harvested from its own vineyards are mainly used, and for vines intended for premium wines, the method of “green harvesting” in summer and triage in autumn is used.
Exploring SHUMI Winery’s Exclusive Beverage Portfolio and International Recognition
SHUMI WINERY produces a few lines of alcoholic beverages: SHUMI, IBERIULI, GEORGICA and others.
The IBERIULI wines are produced according to the methods of the oldest Georgian traditional method of making wines in Qvevri and the European method. Those wines began the history of winemaking more than 8,000 years ago. Since 2013, UNESCO has awarded this method the status of an intangible monument of cultural heritage.
SHUMI ‘s exclusive beverage portfolio includes unique wines and beverages such as:
- GENESIS is a unique wine 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 its 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.
- SHOBILI is a Qvevri sparkling wine, created using SHUMI patented technology. It combines the 8000-year history of Georgian winemaking and the 400-year history of French champagne.
- BARBALE is the world’s first and only ice wine produced in Qvevri. 102 rare grape varieties from SHUMI Ampelographic Collection were used to prepare this unique drink.
- GRIFFIN – exclusive brandy is poured into a unique porcelain vessel, which has the shape of a griffin and is a handmade work of art created by the famous Georgian sculptor Merab Merabishvili.
- 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 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, Shavi Rkatsiteli and others, lost to winemaking for centuries.
- Chacha Monada, churchkhela Tsinandali, cheese, marmalade, ice cream Zigu and others.
Since 2002, the company has been steadily and successfully operating in the international market. SHUMI exports its products to 32 countries of the world and is intended for real connoisseurs of alcoholic beverages.
In 2025 and 2024 SHUMI Winery entered the Top 100 Premium Wine & Spirits Brands of the World. (Luxury lifestyle award is a global award selecting, recognizing, celebrating and promoting the best luxury goods and services all over the world).
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 prestigious list of The World’s Best Sommeliers’ Selection.
In 2025, SHUMI set a WORLD RECORD and received an official certificate as the creator of the largest private ampelographic collection on the planet.
Preserving the Genetic Diversity of Georgian Grape Varieties
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. To date, the collection includes 2003 grape varieties from 49 countries, some of which grow only in this vineyard.
The revival of rare ancient grape varieties is a big challenge that requires a lot of work, more than decades. But SHUMI, aware of their value and paying tribute to the ancestors who have grown grapes for thousands of years, and thanks to the work of scientists who have preserved the collections, has taken on the mission of reviving these varieties and producing rare wines from them. 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 and they allow you to create ideal wines, today, unfortunately, a large number of grape varieties are lost and are not used for wine production.
The 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’s specialists are constantly researching and identifying the potential of rare varieties of vines, some of which have begun to be cultivated for wine production.
Thanks in large part to this amazing vine collection, SHUMI has created a wide range of grape-based alcoholic beverages, some of them made using the Company’s own unique technologies, which exist nowhere else in the world! SHUMI has a number of inventions and patents.
While caring about the preservation of natural places and cultivating our vineyards, SHUMI Winery considers its duty to maintain a delicate balance between nature and human activity. There is minimum intervention while cultivating vines and producing wines, all grapes are hand-picked. This natural-based wine philosophy drove SHUMI to be the first winery in Georgia to switch its vineyards to organic and biodynamic methods of cultivation. SHUMI is also 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.
Multiple international certificates for quality management and safety systems
In 2005, SHUMI became one of the first producing companies that received international certificates DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 and HASSP. Since then, the Company has been managed in accordance with the latest ISO standards. In the same year, the German Technical Support Society (GTZ) recognized the SHUMI WINERY as the basic production in the implementation of quality management systems for other Georgian manufacturing companies.
SHUMI Winery has created a unique wine aging unit. One of the main advantages of SHUMI is the “closed cycle” of production, which includes all stages of winemaking – from growing and harvesting grapes to bottling the final product. By fulfilling the complete circle of production, which includes all stages of wine making – from growing and harvesting grapes, to bottling and packaging, SHUMI has a distinct advantage in its superiority and unpatrolled quality control.
A Unique Blend of Quality, History, and Culture
SHUMI has created the First Wine Museum in Georgia, which contains exhibits of ancient Georgian household and winemaking traditions. Most of the exhibits are artifacts found during archaeological excavations in Kakheti, which embody the life and development of winemaking in different eras of Georgia. The oldest artifacts of the museum are more than 6,000 years old.
In addition to the production of wine and various alcoholic beverages, SHUMI has many other, no less significant and unique activities. SHUMI is the first company in Georgia, which initiated the development of enotourism in Georgia. To date, SHUMI Tourist Complex has no analogues in the world, both in infrastructure and in operation. Nowhere else will you find so many examples of Georgian culture gathered in one space as in SHUMI.
The Complex spans more than twelve hectares, with diverse infrastructure and numbers 41 locations, including:
- The First Wine Museum in Georgia;
- The First Comprehensive Varietal Collection of Vines in Georgia;
- The Marani;
- The Grotto ZIGU;
- The VINOBIZA Pavilion;
- The Enoteca;
- The Georgian Ethnographic Pavilion;
- The TSITELI DOLI Pavilion;
- Rustaveli Pavilion
- The Gestalt House;
- Gastronomic zones, with a restaurant and terraces, cafes, verandas, pavilions and tasting areas;
- The Wine Shop, showcasing a wide assortment of different products and alcoholic drinks including SHUMI’s exclusives produced using our own unique technologies and recipes;
- The Decorative Garden, with sculptures made by famous Georgian and international artists;
- Rose Garden: several thousand roses, more than 700 species grow on the territory of the complex;
- Orchard with more than 400 varieties of various fruits;
- Petting Zoo, where small animals and exotic birds are kept in the open space.
Visitors to SHUMI have the opportunity to delve into the history of Georgia and get acquainted with its culture. Here they can meet the heroes and gods of Georgian mythology, depicted on stone frescoes and painted by Saperavi wine, the Georgian alphabet, the largest private collection of vines in the world, where they get acquainted with grape varieties created by folk selection for thousands of years, and taste grapes. In the Ethnographic Pavilion, guests can learn about Georgian eno-gastronomic traditions, attend various interesting and fun master classes and other events, participate in the traditional Georgian Supra with toastmaster and polyphonic songs performed by the SHUMI ensemble, take part in various rituals, such as the Qvevri Opening and the Lazarus Ritual, ceremony of initiation into the Kakhetians and many others.
The SHUMI Tourist Complex and Varietal Vineyards is an ideal location for private and corporate parties as well as the perfect ambiance and backdrop for wedding ceremonies.
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. (Luxury lifestyle award is a global award selecting, recognizing, celebrating and promoting the best luxury goods and services all over the world).
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.
SHUMI IS THE WINNER OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLD AWARDS!
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.