Papari Valley – Chinuri Rkatsiteli Qvevri white dry wine – 2020 – 0,75 l

Papari Valley Chinuri-Rkatsiteli 3 Qvevri Terraces

Natural Orange Wine from Georgia Papari Valley Chinuri-Rkatsiteli 2020 is a unique orange wine crafted using the ancient Georgian method in clay qvevri amphorae. This dry, unfiltered cuvée, with its rich texture and earthy profile, will delight all natural wine lovers seeking an authentic tasting experience full of yellow fruit, herbs, and spice notes.

The Papari Valley family winery, situated on the slopes of the Gombori Mountains in the prestigious Akhasheni region, produces its wines without any mechanization. To achieve this, it utilizes a unique three-level gravitational “terrace method.” This cuvée of ancient local varieties, Chinuri and Rkatsiteli, was spontaneously fermented using wild yeasts and aged for several months directly in clay qvevri amphorae—along with the skins, pips, and stems.

Tasting Profile

• Appearance: Radiant gold-orange to light amber color.

• Nose: A complex and earthy expression. The initial aroma reveals ripe apples, sweet yellow plums, and white flowers, which, after aeration, give way to herbs, marzipan, and beeswax.

• Palate: The wine is bone dry (2.3 g/l residual sugar) with a full body, lively acidity, and a firm tannin structure. The taste is dominated by yellow fruit, quince jelly, candied apricot, and hazelnut cake, accompanied by typical grassy and earthy notes.

Food Pairing

This is not a light summer drink for the patio, but rather a serious orange wine that calls for bold dishes. It perfectly complements traditional Georgian badrijani (eggplant rolls with walnut paste), hearty lamb pelmeni, Italian bresaola, or fried spring rolls. Serve at a temperature of 14–16 °C.

The Story of the Papari Valley Family Winery

The story of the Papari Valley family winery began in 2004 with the purchase of its first two hectares of vineyards. From the very beginning, the owners had a clear vision: to prioritize uncompromising quality over quantity.

However, the path to producing premium wine was not easy. A significant portion of the original land consisted of old vineyards from the Soviet era, when the focus was on maximum yield and the wine’s character took a back seat. The winery therefore decided to take a radical step and undergo an extensive restoration.

The family carefully sorted through the original vines. They kept only the strongest and healthiest plants from the original planting. The other, unsatisfactory plants were uncompromisingly uprooted and replaced with new, carefully selected rootstocks that fully respect the local terroir. By 2010, the winery had gradually expanded and fine-tuned its processes.

This meticulous work required great patience. Although Papari Valley produced its first experimental wine back in 2007, they were in no rush to bring it to market. The winery made its commercial debut only with the perfectly tuned 2014 vintage.

Today, Papari Valley is a proud family farm tending to 9.3 hectares of its own vineyards, where vines aged 12 to 25 years grow. The wines from this winery are an authentic reflection of local traditions, dominated by 85% of the red Saperavi variety and 15% of the white Rkatsiteli variety.