Georgia claims to be the birthplace of wine, with archaeological evidence of winemaking dating back 8,000 years. At the centre of this ancient tradition sits Kakheti, the country’s premier wine region, and within it the historic village of Vazisubani. Here, the Vardiashvili family has cultivated vines and produced wines using traditional Qvevri methods for generations, blending ancestral wisdom with modern precision.
The family’s surname means ‘Son of Roses’, a nod to the tradition of planting roses in vineyards as symbols of care and vitality. Winemaker Amiran Vardiashvili personally oversees every stage from vineyard to bottle, with deep respect for nature and heritage. Their wines are born from old vineyards, some over 80 years old, rooted in two of Georgia’s most prestigious PDOs: Mukuzani and Vazisubani.
What the family loves most about winemaking is the harmony between nature, tradition and human touch. Each harvest tells a new story of weather, soil and time. Turning grapes they’ve nurtured for months into living wines that evolve with every sip is deeply fulfilling. The process is both art and patience: listening to what the land tells them and allowing the wine to express its origin.
The wines are crafted naturally, without chemicals or added yeast, using Qvevri clay vessels recognised by UNESCO as part of Georgia’s winemaking heritage. These large, egg-shaped earthenware vessels are buried underground, where fermentation and ageing take place at constant temperatures. This traditional approach reveals the pure character of their Rkatsiteli and Saperavi grapes, enhanced by mineral-rich soils and generations of expertise. Each bottle embodies authenticity, terroir and the enduring passion of a family whose name itself speaks to their care for the vine.
Vardiashvili Family Wine top picks:
Saperavi 2021
Delicate, fragrant notes of eucalyptus, cherry and almond on the nose. The palate has wonderful complexity and poise with well-balanced fruit flavours and expertly integrated oak. 95 points
Rkatsiteli 2020
Precise yet generous fruit is enhanced by attractive notes of spice and marmalade. There’s plenty of textural support from tannins and zippy linear acidity, holding the core fruit and layers of complexity through to the lingering finish. 95 points
Rkatsiteli 2021
Intense aromas of baked apple tart, cola, sweet cinnamon, and baklava. The rich, oily-textured palate brings fig jam, lemon zest, and bruised apple that is intense but balanced with a lingering finish. 90 points
Rkatsiteli 2022
The nose reveals a captivating blend of bruised apple, candied apricot, honey, and sherry. On the palate, salty nectarines and nutty undertones emerge, leading to a surprisingly invigorating finish. 90 points
