The beautiful couple behind Winery Zodi have grown up making wine, and are now able to explore it as a life passion. This is their second year of production ever, and we are delighted to be their first importers. And for good reason. Their wine showcases the most unique grapes of the Imereti region of Western Georgia. Located in a small village that is two hours East of Kutaisi, Nino and Giga are building a winery to revive the lost wine history of their region, experimenting to see what fits right, and what tastes right.
They are focused on upholding the tradition of the region’s 8,000-year-old winemaking, its forgotten grape varieties, and awakening its potential. Traditional winemaking involves minimal intervention methods, with nothing added or taken away from the juice other than minimal additions of sulphites before bottling.
Nino and Giga are inspired by their family and their childhood memories of the culture behind wine bringing people together. They have been able to translate this atmosphere of culture and excitement into their wines, which are alive and full of groundbreaking potential.
Zodi is the only winegrower producing wine from the Kvishkuri grape. These vines are 60 years old, and having only one hectare, the small production makes it even more special. This Amber wine was made with one month of skin-contact and aged for 20 months in Qvevri. A lovely bold character, with notes of honey and field flowers on the nose.
The Dzelshavi grape is typically used for Rosés and light-bodied reds and is native to the Imeretian region of Georgia. Zodi was able to cultivate a beautiful representation of this variety with 24 hours of skin-contact and aged in Qvevri. Bursting with cranberry and cherry, mouth-watering acidity, and a juicy lightness to it, this wine is the perfect wine for all occasions.
The 2021 vintage from Zodi's rare Kvishkuri vineyard was an experiment with full skin contact. We have brought in their 2023 vintage, which is done with no maceration, to showcase different expressions of the variety. Zodi has one hectare of 60-year-old Kvishkuri vines, a variety that isn't planted anywhere else. This region is rare to have active wineries and is off the beaten path from the otherwise clustered wine route in Georgia. Therefore, this grape is only now being reawakened, and so Zodi is experimenting with different styles to see their results. This 2023 Kvishkuri is a pale golden colour with abundant aromas of white flowers, peaches, and delicate citrus undertones. Riper fruit and field flowers open up on the palate with a lingering minerality to finish. Bright and textural, with a most refreshing acidity.
This upper Imeretian region is mostly mountainous, with more extreme seasonal changes and more rainfall than we even experience in Vancouver. The Tsolikauri wines from this area are exceptional, as they draw minerals from the mountains and also maintain a crisp acidity. The result is wines that are distinctively vibrant. This wine was pressed off its skins and fermented and aged in Qvevri. The aromas on this wine are what caught my heart, like grilled pineapples and ripe lemons with a subtle herbaceousness underneath. A clear expression on the palate that is crisp and refreshing.
