September 8, 2026 (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) — As part of ISG’s growing relationship with Georgia over the past year — which began with Georgian Technical University (GTU) — ISG’s leading educators from six countries, the United States, China, Mexico, Turkey, Brazil, and Latvia, toured Georgia’s wine regions in July 2026. Following that cooperation, and a meeting on 28 July 2026 between ISG President Joseph Miller and Georgia’s Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, David Songulashvili — attended by leadership of the National Wine Agency — the Ministry, together with the National Wine Agency, has now announced the next phase of that cooperation: the upcoming launch of a five-year Global Education and International Development Initiative for Georgian Wine, developed in partnership with ISG. The initiative acknowledges Georgia’s centuries-long civilizational contribution to wine, and brings that heritage into ISG’s education worldwide.
The initiative is a five-year strategic framework aimed at strengthening Georgian wine’s long-term international position through education, professional development, market engagement, and structured international cooperation. It brings together five components: developing educational programs and a professional development system for Georgian wine; deepening international partnerships and expanding commercial opportunities; implementing hands-on, experience-based orientation programs in Georgia for foreign professionals; creating multilingual educational and communication resources to support the international presentation of Georgian wine; and strengthening mechanisms for evaluating results and reporting. Further details of the program are expected in the coming months, as ISG and the Ministry continue to develop the initiative.
“Increasing the international recognition of Georgian wine is one of the state’s main priorities,” said Minister David Songulashvili, confirming the government’s backing of the initiative. “Initiatives that help deepen knowledge about Georgian wine within international professional circles, introduce its unique history and culture, and create new partnerships and opportunities are especially important. Projects grounded in education, professional development, and international cooperation will further strengthen Georgian wine’s position in the global market. Today’s meeting served exactly this purpose.”
“We are excited to begin this cooperation. As an international educational authority, we believe in the power of education, and that this initiative will be a tremendous boost for Georgian wine’s recognition — and its wine industry — around the world,” said Joseph Miller, President of the International Sommelier Guild. “Just as important Old World wine-producing regions already offer structured education for international professionals, we believe Georgia — with its extraordinary traditions as the cradle of wine — deserves the same, as do many other wine-producing countries around the world. Through this program, the immense scope of Georgian wine tradition will become available to markets worldwide, and accessible in numerous languages. This is very much how ISG has always worked around the world — and we expect that pattern to keep growing.”
About the International Sommelier Guild
The International Sommelier Guild (ISG) is a global credentialing organization dedicated to professional wine and beverage education. Founded in 1982, ISG develops structured academic programs designed to support the training and professional development of sommeliers, hospitality professionals, and serious wine students. ISG’s curriculum integrates wine theory, tasting methodology, broader beverage knowledge, restaurant service practices, and hospitality business management. Programs are standardized and delivered through licensed partners in multiple countries in local languages, designed to provide the same rigor and high standard of education worldwide. ISG currently delivers its curriculum through partners in countries including Vietnam, Brazil, China, Turkey, Mexico, Latvia, Switzerland, Georgia, Taiwan, Russia, Israel, Jordan, Canada, Japan, and the Caribbean. Through its educational framework, ISG seeks to support the development of professional standards in wine and beverage knowledge while recognizing the cultural diversity and historical traditions that shape the world of wine and hospitality. For additional information, please visit: www.internationalsommelier.com
