“We are presented with a unique opportunity for Georgian wine to capture the attention of the world’s foremost auction houses, leading experts and collectors. Every specimen held here is a powerful instrument of our cultural diplomacy,” Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze said in an address at the event marking the opening of the unique cellar on the grounds of Wine Factory No. 1.

In his assessment, the full scholarly study of this historic enoteca, situated in one of Tbilisi’s most distinguished historic quarters, represents a significant step towards the future.

“This historic wine cellar of the Crown Estates, built at the close of the 19th century with the patronage of the great patriot and philanthropist David Sarajishvili, is a remarkable monument of industrial architecture that has faithfully preserved our unique treasure for over a century. It is a living chronicle of Georgian winemaking. Each of the more than 20,000 collectable bottles held here carries its own story. Among them are unique specimens aged for over two centuries, and the first estate wines produced in the European manner in the 1890s. Here too is the legendary Mukhrani champagne, which earned the highest international recognition at exhibitions as far back as the late nineteenth century,” Kobakhidze declared.

The Prime Minister noted that the global significance of the collection is underscored in particular by the fact that, alongside Georgian masterworks, the cellar holds the personal premium reserves and anniversary collections of world leaders.

“We are presented with a unique opportunity for Georgian wine to capture the attention of the world’s foremost auction houses, leading experts and collectors. Every specimen held here is a powerful instrument of our cultural diplomacy,” Kobakhidze stated.

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in preserving and safeguarding the collection. He also expressed hope that new discoveries resulting from the study of the enoteca’s unique collection of alcoholic beverages would help strengthen Georgia’s reputation as the birthplace of wine.

Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Davit Songhulashvili and the President of Château d’Yquem, Pierre Lurton, have also made their speeches at the event marking the opening of the centuries-old enoteca. Members of the Georgian government and parliament were in attendance.