SHUMI Winery #31
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, SHUMI built its production facilities and harvested its first grapes. 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.
Advanced Facilities and Diverse Grape Varieties
The Winery is equipped with the latest generation technologically advanced facilities. The company produces wine from 16 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 collection includes wines made according to the oldest Georgian traditional way of making wines in Qvevri. 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 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 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 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 and others, lost to winemaking for centuries.
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.
SHUMI is regularly recognized as the BEST PRODUCER OF GEORGIA at one of the most prestigious competitions in the world – MUNDUS VINI Grand International Award! SHUMI products are famous for their quality, they have earned more than 750 highest awards at prestigious international competitions, including prizes and medals that no other company in the history of Georgia has ever received. SHUMI WINERY has entered the Top 100 Premium Wine & Spirits Brands of the World. This prestigious recognition highlights SHUMY WINERY’s commitment to excellence innovation, and dedication to creating memorable experience in the global wine and spirits industry.
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, which today is considered the largest private collection in the world with more than 2000 grape varieties from 47 different countries.
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 forgotten and are not used for economic purposes and wine production. The SHUMI Ampelographic Collection, which serves as a basis for scientific research, is included in the list of the FAO at the United Nations and has its own unique code. Georgian, French, Italian and Japanese 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, where some exhibits are 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 twelve hectares, with diverse infrastructure and numbers 39 locations, including:
- The First Wine Museum in Georgia;
- The First Comprehensive Varietal Collection of Vines in Georgia;
- The Marani;
- The VINOBIZA Pavilion;
- The Enoteca;
- The Georgian Ethnographic 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;
- The Decorative Garden, with sculptures made by famous Georgian and international artists.
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.
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 6 trophies, SHUMI became the winner in all categories according to the result of the WTA public online voting: Must Visit; Brand is the visiting card of the country; Progressive approach; Authentic location; Object d’Art; Unique program; Cultural mission; Magnet of the region; An effective event.
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 regularly receives TripAdvisor – “Travelers’ Choice” awards. SHUMI is the winner in the category THE BEST LOCATION FOR GASTRONOMIC REGIONAL TOURISM.
The territory of the SHUMI Tourist Complex is regularly recognized as the most beautiful place 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.
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 IS THE WINNER OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLD AWARDS!
Reviews
We recently visited the Shumi winery and were absolutely delighted! The wines of this winery amazed us with their variety and exquisite aromas. Each wine we tasted had a unique character and a rich bouquet, which is a testament to the skill of Shumi’s winemakers. Shumi Winery is more than just a place where wine is made, it is a whole world imbued with a love of what they do and a commitment to excellence. We sincerely recommend everyone to visit this winery and see for themselves the high quality of their wines. Thank you so much for the unforgettable experience. We give it five stars out of five.
We had an absolutely amazing time at Shumi!
From the moment we entered the wine museum, we were immersed in the rich history and culture of winemaking. The wine tasting was a true highlight, with a wonderful selection of wines that showcased the unique flavors of the region. Strolling through the vineyard was a peaceful and beautiful experience, and we loved learning about the different grape varieties. One of the most memorable parts was the opportunity to cook traditional national dishes. It was such a hands-on way to experience the local culture, and the warm hospitality made us feel like part of the family. The entire experience at Shumi was a perfect blend of history, culture, and culinary delight, all wrapped up in the national spirit. We can’t wait to come back!
The tasting was excellent. We had four tastes – two wines Mtsvane and two wines Saperavi. One of each variety was produced in the European style, and one in the Georgian style, in a qvevri. It really helps you understand the difference between qvevri production! Highly recommended.