8,000
Years of Wine History
Georgia is the world’s oldest documented wine region, with tangible evidence of more than 8000 years of viticulture and winemaking. This ancient region cultivates more than 525 indigenous grape varieties, many of which are the DNA ancestors of popular European varieties. Production figures are substantial and continue to increase due to flourishing exports, while consumption per capita is on par with European countries.
Antiquity
BC - 9th
300-65 BC: King Pharnavaz I established Kartli - 1st eastern Georgian state
100 AD: Creation of Georgian alphabet
Medieval Era
8th - 14th
900-1100: Unification and Golden Age of Georgia
1340s: Invaders overcame the leaders of Georgia. Georgia was split into 3 parts: Kakheti, Kartli, and Imereti
Early Modern Era
15th - 19th
Late 14th: Ottoman Empire encroached from the west
1501: A new Muslim power, Safavid Iran, arose to the east
1700: King Vakhtang VI saved Georgia from collapse
1723-1735: Turkish invaders occupied Georgia
1801-1804: Most of present-day Georgia became part of the Russian Empire
Modern Era
19th - Now
1891: Annexed by the Russian Empire
1918: Independent Georgian state declared
1921: Georgia declared a Soviet Socialist Republic
1980s: Demands for more autonomy and independence
1991: Georgian parliament declared secession from the Soviet Union
2000 - 2003: Tension with Russia
La Cité du Vin
Bordeaux celebrates Georgia as “cradle of viticulture