Join Shalva Khetsuriani, winemaker and President of the Georgian Sommelier Association, to explore 8,000 years of continuous winemaking in Georgia, the recognized birthplace of wine.
Event details
This free one hour Explorer session will showcase the Qvevri and Churi — traditional clay vessels at the heart of Georgia’s unique winemaking tradition. Shalva will take attendees on a journey to discover ancient wine artifacts, 525 indigenous grape varieties, and the cultural significance of wine, from the Tamada tradition to UNESCO’s recognition of the Qvevri winemaking method. Learn how this ancient craft continues to shape Georgia’s identity and inspire the global wine world.
This session is open to all and is suitable for wine enthusiasts, industry professionals, and those curious about Georgian wine culture.
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This event does not necessarily constitute official WSET course material and should not be used as such.
Speaker
Shalva Khetsuriani - Winemaker and President of the Georgian Sommelier Association
Shalva Khetsuriani is a winemaker and the President of the Georgian Sommelier Association, blending his expertise in economics, international relations, and political science with a profound passion for winemaking. Educated at Latvian University, the International Relations Institute of Riga, he furthered his studies in international wines and sommelier courses, laying the foundation for his distinguished career in wine.
In 1998, Shalva restored his family's winemaking tradition, which had been interrupted in the early 20th century due to Soviet occupation. He founded the Khetsuriani Winery with the goal of creating Georgia's first iconic wine. Additionally, he established both the Georgian Sommelier Association (member of the International Sommelier Association | ASI - 68 member countries) and the Shalva Khetsuriani Sommelier School in 2003, playing crucial roles in advancing wine culture and education in Georgia, promoting enogastronomy tourism, and popularizing the sommelier profession. The School is the only WSET APP in Georgia.
Shalva Khetsuriani is the author of the international educational program about Georgian wine, *Georgian Wine Scholar*. This program is designed for both Georgian and foreign wine professionals and enthusiasts. Its aim is to promote in-depth knowledge and awareness of Georgian wine, enabling participants to contribute to its global recognition and appreciation.
He actively organizes masterclasses, training sessions, and events dedicated to advancing the Georgian wine industry and increasing its global recognition. He is the producer of the documentary film about wine “Prime Meridian of Wine,” which has won awards at various film festivals, including Oenovideo, the Hollywood International Independent Documentary Awards, the London Independent Film Awards, the Barcelona Planet Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Independent Film Festival Awards, and DOCfeed.
By fostering wine education, promoting enogastronomy tourism, and supporting the sommelier profession, Shalva Khetsuriani continues to help raise the profile of Georgia's winemaking heritage internationally.