SHUMI Winery #6
25 Years of Exceptional Georgian Wines Rooted in Mythology
SHUMI WINERY has a 25-year history in viticulture and winemaking and thanks to the quality of its products, has an impeccable reputation as a producer of Georgian wines. The symbol of SHUMI is a Griffin (“Phaskunji” in Georgian mythology). According to an ancient legend it was the griffin who brought the first bunch of grapes to people, which gave birth to 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 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 vines, which rarely give 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 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 the SHUMI Ampelographic Collection were used to prepare this unique drink.
- GRIFIN – 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 300 rare grape varieties grown in the vineyard of the SHUMI Ampelographic Collection.
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 one of the best producers of Georgian wines. SHUMI products are famous for their quality, they have earned more than 500 highest awards at prestigious international competitions, including prizes and medals that no other company in the history of Georgia has ever received. SHUMI WINERY was recognized as the BEST PRODUCER OF GEORGIA at one of the most prestigious competitions in the world – MUNDUS VINI Grand International Award!
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 1500 grape varieties from 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 and has its own unique code. At this unique facility, 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
SHUMI became one of the first producing companies that received international certificates DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 and HASSP. The German Technical Support Society (GTZ) recognized SHUMI WINERY as a base production in the implementation of quality management systems for other Georgian production companies. SHUMI received an international certificate of product quality management and safety system under the ISO 22000 – 2005 standard. SHUMI received an international certificate of product quality management and safety system under the ISO 22000:2018 standard (the ISO 22003:2013:C IV category).
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 the wine regions of 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 nine 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 WINERY is the winner in 9 nominations according to the results of public online voting of the international competition THE WINE TRAVEL AWARDS (WTA): 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.
And in the nomination Magnet of the region – also the winner of the jury prize!
On a regular basis, SHUMI WINERY is the winner in the nomination “BEST AWARD FOR WINE TOURISM” within the framework of the National Tourism Award “WELCOME TO GEORGIA”, receives TripAdvisor awards – “Travelers’ Choice”, the territory of the SHUMI Tourist Complex is recognized as “the most beautiful place in Georgia”. Also, SHUMI is the winner in the nomination “THE BEST PLACE FOR GASTRONOMIC REGIONAL TOURISM”.
For the first time in the history of Georgia, SHUMI WINERY became the winner in the nomination “BEST PRACTICE RELATED TO ARCHAEOBOTANY IN WINE TOURISM” at the international competition in Sicily, organized by the Council of Europe.
“SHUMI” meant “the best wine” in ancient Georgian. It still means the same!
Reviews
When I started working with Shumi 17 years ago, I got acquainted with the unique Georgian endemic grape varieties and became convinced of their huge potential, especially I fell in love with Saperavi. And despite the fact that we have achieved great results with this grape variety, I believe that we are still on the way and Saperavi has a bright future.
Shumi winery is one of our best experiences in Georgia. This place is absolutely amazing with a very gentle and welcoming staff. Our guide at the winery was very knowledgeable and he explained everything in great detail. Overall this place is a must visit!
Best wine tasting and your we’ve had in the region. Our tour guide was super experienced and gave us a lot of knowledge about Georgian wines and Shumi. I recommend to everyone who’s in the region!
This place will be beyond your expectations. It is located right next to the Tsinandali estate which is a must visit site in Kakheti – double win. Wines are amazing, the place is beautiful, every single person working there was welcoming and very pleasant and the food was unbelieveably delicious. You can look at hundreds of grape species, participate in winemaking, baking bread and other activities, relax, drink and support locals while doing so. Highly recommended.