We have a unique opportunity for Georgian wine to capture the attention of the world’s largest auction houses, leading experts and collectors. Every sample preserved here is a powerful instrument of our cultural diplomacy, stated the Prime Minister of Georgia during his speech at the opening event of the unique wine repository located on the premises of Wine Factory N1 in Tbilisi.

According to the Head of Government of Georgia, the comprehensive study of the historic enotheque, located in one of Tbilisi’s distinguished historical districts, represents an important step toward the future.

“This historic wine cellar of the Crown Estate Administration, built at the end of the 19th century with the support of the great patriot and philanthropist David Sarajishvili, is an outstanding monument of industrial architecture that has safeguarded our unique treasure for more than a century.

This is a living chronicle of Georgian winemaking. Each of the more than 20 000 collectible bottles preserved here carries its own story. Among them are unique wines aged for more than two centuries and the first signature wines produced according to European methods in the 1890s. Also preserved here is the legendary sparkling wine of Mukhranbatoni, which earned the highest international recognition at exhibitions as early as the late 19th century”, - said Irakli Kobakhidze.

As he added, global significance of the collection is further emphasized by the fact that, alongside Georgian masterpieces, the repository also preserves premium personal reserves and anniversary collections belonging to world leaders.

"We have a unique opportunity for Georgian wine to attract the attention of the world`s largest auction houses, leading experts and collectors. Every sample preserved here is a powerful instrument of our cultural diplomacy", - noted Irakli Kobakhidze.

He thanked everyone who contributed to saving and preserving the collection and expressed hope that new discoveries resulting from the study of the unique collection of alcoholic beverages preserved in the enotheque would further strengthen Georgia`s status as the cradle of wine.

Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture David Songhulashvili and President of Château d’Yquem Pierre Lurton also delivered speeches at the event dedicated to the opening of the centuries-old enotheque. Members of the Government and Parliament of Georgia attended the event as well.