PM Kobakhidze: Georgian wine has ‘unique chance’ to attract global auction houses, collectors

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday said Georgian wine has a “unique chance” to attract the attention of the world’s leading auction houses, experts and collectors, describing the country’s wine heritage as a powerful tool of cultural diplomacy.

Speaking at an event marking the opening of a historic wine repository on the grounds of Wine Factory N1 in the capital city of Tbilisi, Kobakhidze said the restoration and study of the century-old enotheque represents an important step toward the future.

He noted that the underground cellar, built in the late 19th century with the support of philanthropist Davit Sarajishvili, is an example of industrial architecture and has preserved a “unique collection” for more than a century.

The Prime Minister added the site holds more than 20,000 collectible bottles, including rare vintages over 200 years old, early European-style Georgian wines from the 1890s and historically significant sparkling wine produced by Prince Mukhrani, which received international recognition at exhibitions in the 19th century.

Kobakhidze also highlighted the global importance of the collection, noting that alongside Georgian wines, the enotheque includes premium personal reserves and commemorative collections linked to world leaders.

“We are given a unique chance for Georgian wine to attract the attention of the world’s largest auction houses, leading experts and collectors. Each sample preserved here is a powerful instrument of our cultural diplomacy,” he said.

The Prime Minister thanked all those involved in preserving the collection and expressed hope that further study of the enotheque would strengthen Georgia’s status as the homeland of wine.