GEORGIA Georgia has been home to vine cultivation and winemaking for at least 8,000 years. Recent archeological findings suggests the country’s winemaking dates to 6,000 B.C, making Georgia the cradle of wine. Georgia’s climate and territorial conditions are perfect for wine production. Here, extreme weather is very unusual; summers are sunny, while winters are mild and frost-free. Georgia’s mild climate and humid air, affected by the Black Sea, provide the best conditions for vine cultivation. Even though Georgia has almost 500 grape varieties, only fraction of them are grown for commercial wine making, and similar to French wines, Georgian wines are also named according to the source region or village. RACHA-LECHKHUMI Racha-Lechkhumi is one of Georgia's smallest wine regions, situated just south of the caucasus mountains, but despite its diminutive size, it remains one of the most important wine regions in the country. Almost all wines from Racha-Lechkhumi vineyards are sweeter than their western European counterparts, as a result of the extremely high sugar levels created by the sunny climate. One of several microregions in Racha-Lechkhumi, Khvanchakara is particularly famous for its semi-sweet Khvanchakara wines, which are based on Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes. A more 'recent' addition to the ancient winemaking culture here, these raspberry-scented reds have been produced since the beginning of the 20th century. CHINI VINERY The unique characteristics of these wines was one of the main reasons why CHINI Winery was established in the heart of Racha in early 90’s. Over the following years more and more vineyards of Aleksandreuli and Mujuretuli grapes were added to completely source the production from own grapes. Last year CHINI Winery was completely rebuilt to meet the modern standards of Wine making, with the latest available Italian equipment for producing the uncompromising and unforgettable wine from the unique local grapes.