GEORGIA–Ancient center of viticulture and winemaking
The history of the Georgian wine-making industry is inseparable from the history of the Georgian people, from the traditions of vine- growing and wine-making, which have remained intact passing from generations to generations, from fathers to sons. The wealth of vine varieties and ancient traditions of vine cultivation, which even the great Homer and such outstanding figures of the Antiquity as Apollo of Rhodes, Xenophon, Strabo and Procopius of Caesarea mentioned in their works – all this leads modern scientists to believe that namely Georgia was the native land of the first known cultured grape varieties. It was also from here that the vine spread to many European countries. Some believe that the word “wine” (“ВИHO”, “VIN”, “VEIN”, “VINE”...) is of the Georgian origin. In Georgia, from the end of VII century B.C. we find cultural vine seeds, wine making marks, and artificial vessels with vine clusters, 10 million years old imprints of wild vine seeds and leaves, 15 years old fossilized vine caulis. Nowadays, there are more than 500 grape varieties growing in Georgia, which is the World viticulture and winemaking treasure.