A common goal for most farmers in Georgia has been to revitalize the soils, vines, and production in the aftermath of the Soviet era. Monoculture farming suffocated the agricultural sector through these Soviet years and through wartimes, poverty, and corrupt systems. With an undying love for their country, winemakers have worked tirelessly to revive the land to its abundant and thriving state it so wants to be in. And Palavani is no different. As you can see in the image, there is a stunning depiction of revitalization happening, where mother nature takes root once again.
In 1995, my father’s childhood friend’s family took over this winery to rehabilitate the vineyards and production facility and revive the Georgian traditional winemaking practices in Kakheti. Today, you can see the Soviet fingerprints still lingering in some corners of Palavani’s production facility while the team works to convert the vineyard to organic practices and certification. They are truly breathing life back into the winery. Being the larger producer in our portfolio, Palavani focuses on showcasing the truly classic style of Kakhetian wines which are bold, tannic, and the inspiration behind some of the most significant groundbreaking natural wines like Gravner and Radikon. Palavani’s Qvevri line represents the most traditional wines with a homage to the vineyard’s long and tough history.
The team at Palavani is dedicated to producing authentic Kakhetian-style wines. Their wines highlight the potential of the region's renowned varieties and their homeland that is the unique terroir of this ancient region. This Saperavi was hand-harvested from their certified organic vineyards, partially de-stemmed, and fermented with skin and partial stem contact in Qvevris for 6 months. After fermentation, the wine was aged for several more months before bottling. Saperavi is truly one of the most unique varieties we have met. You can produce so many different styles of Saperavi. Palavani's Saperavi, however, is its classic Kakhetian expression. It is a very concentrated colour, with full extraction making for a dense wine with thicker velvety tannins. The texture is full of brightness, with a predominant dogwood spice that meets a rich black fruit layer. Fruit-forward and luscious, with a lingering aftertaste.
The team at Palavani is dedicated to producing authentic Kakhetian-style wines. Their wines highlight the potential of the region's renowned varieties and their homeland that is the unique terroir of this ancient region. This Rkatsiteli was hand-harvested from their certified organic vineyards, partially de-stemmed, and fermented with skin and partial stem contact in Qvevris for 6 months. After fermentation, the wine was aged for several more months before bottling. Rkatsiteli is the king white variety of Georgia, being the sum of over 70% of Georgia's white wine production. This amber style is its best expression, in our humblest opinion. The wine is incredibly fresh and bright, with a rich aroma and palate of ripe apricots and walnuts, with subtle layers of toasted pineapples and herbs.
The team at Palavani is dedicated to producing authentic Kakhetian-style wines. Their wines highlight the potential of the region's renowned varieties and their homeland that is the unique terroir of this ancient region. This Kisi amber wine was hand-harvested from their certified organic vineyards, partially de-stemmed, and fermented with skin and partial stem contact in Qvevris for 6 months. After fermentation, the wine was aged for several more months before bottling. Skin-contact Kisi is especially exciting for its aromatic qualities. Although a rare variety, it is known for its fragrance. On the nose, the sweet bouquet of an apricot orchard, fresh and vibrant. The palate is dry with a stunning balance of tannins and acidity that creates a smooth and creamy texture. Bold but elegant, with a juiciness that is surprisingly easy drinking.
