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A working meeting was held on strategic issues of Meskhetian vine and wine development

Levan Ujmajuridze, Director of the LEPL Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, Levan Mekhuzla, Chairman of the LEPL National Wine Agency, Sofiko Ahobadze, Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Center for the Caucasus, and leaders of the Aspindza Municipality met with local winegrowers and winemakers in the Meskheti region.

The meeting was held in Aspindza Municipality within the framework of the project “Sustainable Management of Agrobiodiversity in Vulnerable Ecosystems and Rural Settlements of the Samtskhe-Javakheti Region” funded by the Regional Environmental Center for the Caucasus. The project is scientifically supported by the Scientific Research Center of Agriculture.

The parties discussed the historical past and current situation of Meskhetian viticulture and winemaking, the importance of restoring and introducing local grape varieties into practice, the legal and institutional framework of geographical indications, issues of defining terroir, as well as technical specifications for new vineyard cultivation, wine production, and quality control mechanisms.

According to Levan Ujmajuridze, Director of the LEPL Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, the search, scientific research and restoration of local Meskhetian grape varieties is a necessary strategic direction for the region. "Meskheti is historically an important center of viticulture and this potential still creates a real foundation today. The cultivation of new vineyards should primarily be based on local, discovered and restored grape varieties, their research, proper cultivation, including terrace cultivation, knowledge and modern technologies, which are the basis for the production of high-quality and sought-after wines of various types" - noted Levan Ujmajuridze. The meeting focused on the importance of agrobiodiversity research, issues of including local varieties in the national catalog, the region's different soil and climatic conditions, support for small family farms, and the prospects for establishing a Meskhetian wine brand, including integration with agroecotourism.

Following the discussion, , an opinion was expressed to create an association of winegrowers and winemakers. With the support of state institutions and industry experts, this union will focus on developing regional viticulture and winemaking through theoretical and practical training, knowledge sharing and coordinated efforts. This association will contribute to the positioning of Meskhetian wine as a regional identity and high-quality product on local and international markets.