Located in the west-central part of the country, the Imereti wine region is Georgia’s second-largest winemaking area, celebrated for producing distinct, high-acid, and elegant wines. Bordered by mountain ranges and fed by the Rioni River gorge, its humid subtropical climate and mineral-rich limestone soils yield vastly different flavor profiles than the heavier, monolithic styles found in eastern Georgia.
While eastern Kakheti is famous for intense amber wines subjected to six months of skin contact, Imeretian vignerons practice a lighter approach. Their traditional method utilizes underground clay vessels—locally called churi rather than qvevri—but adds significantly less grape pomace (skins and stems) for a much shorter maceration period. This produces crisp, cheerful yellow wines and vibrant, low-tannin amber expressions.