As of 23 September, nearly 38,000 tonnes of grapes had been processed across Kakheti. Of these, 28,000 tonnes were of high quality.

"The state-owned Harvest Management Company is receiving grapes from winegrowers at 20 locations across various municipalities of Kakheti. Private wine companies are also actively involved. Harvest intake is under way in most municipalities of Kakheti. At this stage, nearly 500 wine companies are registered with the Grape Harvest Coordination Center which will gradually begin receiving grapes.

To ensure an organised harvest and the sale of the entire crop, the Government of Georgia has decided that, in the event of a surplus, all winegrowers will have an opportunity to sell their grapes. To this end, Harvest Management Company LLC will purchase grapes grown in Kakheti from individuals under the set conditions:

The price for Saperavi grapes meeting the required standards, with a sugar content of at least 20%, is set at GEL 1.50 per kilogram. Saperavi grapes with a sugar content of 16% to 20% will be priced at GEL 1.00 per kilogram, while those with a sugar content below 16% will be priced at GEL 0.50 per kilogram.

For Rkatsiteli and other wine grape varieties permitted under the Georgian Law on Vine and Wine, grapes with a sugar content of at least 19% will be priced at GEL 1.30 per kg. The price will be GEL 0.90 per kg for grapes with a sugar content of 16% to 19%, and GEL 0.50 per kg for those with a sugar content below 16%.

The grape delivery process is coordinated by the Grape Harvest Coordination Center in Gurjaani. Information about the harvest is available through the hotlines: 1501 and 032 2 19 37 18", - says the National Wine Agency.