Global wine experts gathered during the country’s debut National Wine Day demonstrate category growth and potential across borders, generations, and demographics.
May 20, 2026 (Tbilisi, Georgia) — Wines of Georgia, an agency of the country of Georgia dedicated to promoting the country’s wines globally, is proud share the success of the country’s inaugural National Wine Day. The May 8th holiday was celebrated in the capital of Tbilisi and attracted wine experts from all over the world, who participated in a scientific conference, a walk-around festival in the center of historic Old Tbilisi, and a gala performance at the Georgian National Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi celebrating Georgian wine culture through the ages.
At the conference, Dr. John Barker, Director General of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) shared data revealing Georgia’s production is estimated at 2.6 million hectoliters in 2025, a 5.0% increase over the historic vintage of 2024 and the largest volume recorded in the past 30 years. Current results stand 25.1% above the five-year average—despite global consumption levels reaching a 60-year low, according to 2024 data.
“I believe that with the joint efforts of us, the state, winegrowers and winemakers, Georgian wines will continue to be the calling card of our country, a guarantee of economic strength and international recognition,” said Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze during the conference.
With 3,000 registered wineries and a strong importer network in the United States, sommeliers, retailers, and consumers benefit from an unprecedented level of access to Georgian wines. Providing a vast range of unique grape varieties and relative value compared to European and domestic wines, the category is poised to expand alongside a parallel renaissance of Georgian cuisine in the United States.
“In recent years, we have observed a global decline in wine consumption, creating significant challenges for various players across the wine industry. This situation is forcing distributors, wine merchants, wine shops, and restaurants to look for new and distinctive products that can be offered to final consumers,” said Irakli Bokuchava, Commercial Director of Teliani Valley wines. “At the same time, this trend creates substantial opportunities for countries like Georgia, and for our company in particular. Recently, we have secured a significant number of new distributors in the US and have also seen growing interest from national retailers in markets such as the UK and Germany.”
Unlike many well-known wine exporting countries, Georgia’s growth has continued despite downturns in other sectors of the global wine industry, a demonstration of the value and intrigue Georgian wines have among contemporary drinkers. This point was emphasized during National Wine Day by experts including Masters of Wine Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Debra Meiburg, and Konstantin Baum—all of whom pointed to the strength of native grape varieties including Saperavi, Kisi, and Rkatsitelli among drinkers seeking high-quality wines. Today, Georgian wines are available in 70 countries and, in 2025 alone, the country exported 90 million liters of wine valued at $286 million, placing Georgian among of the fastest-growing segments of the wine industry.
“National Wine Day is a celebration of our identity, cultural heritage, and the centuries-old history that has marked Georgia on the world map as the cradle of wine. From the cultivation of the vine, through the birth of wine, to its culmination in the unique phenomenon of the Georgian supra, this rich and enduring tradition constitutes an inseparable and continuous cycle of our national identity. Every touch with the vine and every moment spent in the vineyard embodies, in essence, the Georgian people’s unconditional love for their soil and homeland,” stated the President of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili.
For more information on the Wines of Georgia or to request samples, please contact winesofgeorgia@glodownead.com. Trade professionals can reach out to georgia@colangelopr.com for any inquiries.
About Wines of Georgia
Wines of Georgia is the official government agency representing wines made in the country of Georgia. Boasting the longest recorded history of winemaking in the world, Georgia remains one of the most important hubs for viticulture and winemaking today. With a diverse range of appellations, grape varieties, and winemaking styles, the landscape is a living totem to the versatility and potential of fine wine. The mission of Wines of Georgia is to highlight, share, and educate consumers and members of the wine industry globally on the merits and values inherent to its distinctive wines and the culture that surrounds them.
