David Songulashvili: “The Grape Harvest Is Proceeding Smoothly in Racha ”

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr David Songulashvili, visited the grape harvest coordination center in Ambrolauri Municipality to review the progress of the 2026 grape harvest. Mr Papuna Margvelidze, the State Representative of the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region, and Mr Gocha Enukidze, the Member of Parliament and Delegate of Ambrolauri, Oni, Tsageri, Lentekhi and Mestia Municipalities, accompanied the Minister in Racha.

As of October 21, Racha had processed approximately 2,400 tonnes of Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes. Around 1,300 winegrowers had delivered their harvest, earning a combined income of GEL 19 million. A total of 35 wine-producing companies had participated in grape procurement at various stages, including the state-owned Harvest Management Company LLC.

“The grape delivery process in Racha is proceeding smoothly; however, due to climatic conditions, the grapes in Racha, as in Kakheti, began reaching the required level of ripeness later than usual this year. Nevertheless, the bulk of the harvest has already been delivered and stored. Moreover, we aim to ensure that every winegrower in the Racha-Lechkhumi region can deliver their harvest without difficulty and receive adequate income from selling their grapes. The active involvement of the private sector is essential to stimulating demand for grapes produced in the region and ensuring that winegrowers can deliver their harvest in a timely manner.

The state subsidy programme is specifically intended to encourage private-sector participation and ensure the orderly conduct of the grape harvest,” Minister Songulashvili stated.

To facilitate the orderly conduct of the 2026 grape harvest and encourage private-sector participation in grape procurement, the government is carrying out a state subsidy programme in Racha.

Under the programme, wine-producing companies are eligible for a subsidy if they purchase and process at least three tonnes of Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes grown in the Khvanchkara microzone and pay winegrowers at least GEL 8 per kilogram. The state subsidy amounts to GEL 4 per kilogram of these grape varieties.

To safeguard the varietal authenticity and quality of wines bearing the protected designations of origin Khvanchkara and Racha, ampelographers are monitoring grapes delivered to all collection points. Special checkpoints have also been established at the region’s entry points to prevent grapes from other municipalities from being brought into Racha and mixed with Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes.

The grape harvest coordination center is operating in Ambrolauri to oversee the orderly organisation of the 2026 harvest. Further information is available through the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture’s hotline at 1501.

The Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr Solomon Pavliashvili, the Chairman of the National Wine Agency, Mr Leval Mekhuzla, and representatives of local government attended the meeting.