In 2017, Khatia and Gocha decided to conquer the goal of building a self-sustaining ecosystem, farm, vineyard, and village on a plot of land in the Kakheti region of Georgia. Thus, Anapea was born. This couple and their family are creating a place to celebrate natural wine and sustainable farming, one that brings people together from all over the world.
Gocha being a geologist, has honed his wisdom and built a vermicompost production to restore soil fertility. There is no involvement of artificial or chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides, and they are a certified organic vineyard. From there, the indigenous grapes of Kakheti have been planted along with 33 other rare grape varieties for the purposes of revitalizing and experimenting with them. Anapea Village Winery is a member of the Natural Wine Association of Georgia which employe rigorous regulations and check-ins to ensure the honest marketing of natural winemaking.
In the cellar, Khatia focuses on minimal intervention and natural winemaking processes. This means taking great care in the time of the harvest, sorting grapes by hand, ensuring their Qvevris are cared for, not adding or taking anything away from the grape juice. Instead, to make use of the naturally occurring sulphites and yeasts of the grapes, the antiseptic and antibacterial elements of the stems, and the physical shape and composition of the Qvevri which all aid in the production of the elegant and raw expression of Anapea’s wines.
This is the new vintage of Anapea's experiment of creating a lighter style of the bold Saperavi grape. Margo is made using direct press Saperavi juice, which is a bright red colour due to Saperavi having red flesh as well as red skins. The juice is then fermented and aged for six months in Qvevris with the skins of the white variety, Mtsvane. The result is a beautifully savoury red wine that is medium in body with light tannins and acidity. On the nose, green spices like a soft jalapeno meet a bursting red fruit bouquet. Pomegranate, cranberry, red currants are bright on the palate with a subtle earthy smokiness.
Vardisperi (meaning 'pink' in Georgian) was a one-in-a-million chanced spontaneous bud mutation from the white variety Rkatsiteli. Thus, Pink Rkatsiteli was born. This wine was hand-harvested from certified organic vines and underwent spontaneous fermentation in Qvevri for one month on its skins. Following, it spent two years in ageing Qvevris. The result is a lightly golden coloured wine with a blush of pink, medium in body and dry on the palate. Fresh floral notes meet soft herbal spices, with ripe citrus, bright plum and earthen raspberries. Beautiful soft tannins and a fresh finish.
Often referred to as the ‘unsung hero’ of Eastern Georgian viticulture, this Khikhvi showcases the hidden treasures of lesser-known grapes. In our portfolio of Anapea wines, we have both a full skin-contact amber and a direct-press style of this grape to showcase the range of characteristics that can show up in your wine glass. This khikhvi is the latter style; a direct-press Khikhvi that was fermented and aged in Qvevris. With a straw colour and a floral aroma, it opens up on your palate with a bright and vivacious tropical citrus, pear, and pineapple character. Underneath, a layer of earthiness that reminds you of green tea grounds this wine and keeps you searching for its deeper layers.
Often referred to as the ‘unsung hero’ of Eastern Georgian viticulture, this Khikhvi showcases the hidden treasures of lesser-known grapes. In our portfolio of Anapea wines, we have both a full skin-contact amber and a direct-press style of this grape to showcase the range of characteristics that can show up in your wine glass. This khikhvi is the former style; a six-month full skin-contact wine with partial stem usage. This is a full-bodied amber wine with a beautiful tannin structure that is balanced with mouth-watering acidity. It has developed beautifully over the past five years and is showing an elegant and smooth texture with notes of dried fruit, tarragon, and umami. This is a classic amber-style wine from Georgia's eastern region, one that is made without additives other than a minimal amount of sulphites. This is the product of harmonious coexistence between humankind and nature.
Saperavi is one of the most celebrated varieties in Georgia due to its Teinturier identity, showcasing a rare intensity of depth in colour and concentration. Anapea's 2019 Saperavi is a perfect example of this depth. Fermented in Qvevri with a two-week maceration before ageing for six months. It is then transferred to old oak barrels for two months before returning to Qvevri, where it spends three years ageing. A concentrated deep colour, which is what gained its name 'black wine', this Saperavi shows ripe black cherry and plum notes, with a beautiful eucalyptus herbal undertone. Spiced and rich with tertiary mushroom and leather notes, and layered textures of tannins and acidity that linger on the finish. Beautifully complex, beautifully full-bodied.
