In Georgia’s storied Kakheti region, centuries of viticultural knowledge meet contemporary mastery at SHUMI Winery & Estate, a family-founded estate that has helped define modern Georgian wine while honoring its origins. This legacy-driven producer has earned a place among the TOP 100 Premium Wine & Spirits Brands of the World, a distinction presented by Luxury Lifestyle Awards that recognizes brands setting international benchmarks for quality, authenticity, and influence.

A Historic Landscape with Royal Roots

SHUMI’s vineyards sit within one of Georgia’s most culturally significant zones, bordering the National Park and Museum dedicated to Prince Alexander Chavchavadze. These lands were once shared by Georgian kings, national poets, and imperial figures, lending the estate a layered historical context that continues to inform its identity. Founded in 1997, SHUMI has built an impeccable reputation by producing wines and spirits that reflect both place and purpose, guided by a deep respect for Georgia’s eight-thousand-year winemaking heritage.

Precision Viticulture and Forward Thinking

The estate is widely recognized for its pioneering role in sustainable and scientific viticulture in Georgia. SHUMI was the first winery in the country to apply green harvesting, adopt organic and biodynamic cultivation, and introduce bio methods in vineyard management. In collaboration with the Free University of Brussels, SHUMI also pioneered by cultivating yeast sourced directly from the same terroirs where grapes were grown, an innovation that preserves microzone identity in every bottle.

Reviving the Rare and the Forgotten

A defining strength of SHUMI lies in its commitment to Georgian autochthonous grape varieties, particularly those once on the verge of extinction. Through years of research and propagation, the winery has revived grapes such as Ubakluri, Simonaseuli, and Shavi Rkatsiteli, transforming them from archival references into living vineyards and commercial wines. This work is supported by SHUMI’s Comprehensive Varietal Collection Vineyard, regarded as the largest private vine collection in the world, featuring more than 2,000 varieties from 47 countries.

Patented Wines with No Global Counterpart

Innovation at SHUMI is not abstract. It is bottled. The portfolio includes patented creations with no global equivalents, including SHOBILI, a sparkling Qvevri wine that blends Georgian earthenware fermentation with classical sparkling techniques, and ZIGU, an aromatic fortified wine crafted from more than 350 rare grape varieties. Landmark releases such as GENESIS, produced from a three-hundred-year-old vine, and BARBALE, the world’s only ice wine made in Qvevri, demonstrate a rare balance of experimentation and discipline.

Global Recognition Through Consistent Excellence

SHUMI’s international standing is the result of sustained quality rather than isolated achievements. Across global markets, the estate’s wines and spirits are consistently selected by industry professionals, collectors, and hospitality leaders who value authenticity, technical precision, and originality. This long-term recognition reflects a disciplined approach that spans vineyard management, production innovation, and portfolio curation, positioning SHUMI as a benchmark for Georgian winemaking on the world stage.

A Benchmark for Wine Tourism

SHUMI is also credited with laying the foundation for modern enotourism in Georgia. Its twelve-hectare tourist complex integrates the country’s first wine museum, an ethnographic pavilion, a working Marani, art installations, and immersive culinary and cultural experiences. Visitors engage with Georgian traditions through tastings, master classes, Qvevri rituals, and Supra feasts led by professional Tamadas, creating an experience where wine, music, art, and ritual coexist naturally.

Cultural Stewardship with Global Reach

Beyond production, SHUMI serves as a cultural steward. Its wine school offers free education to local students and international interns, while partnerships with institutions such as the United Kingdom’s Plumpton College reinforce its global academic presence. Architectural elements, sculptures, and frescoes by leading Georgian artists further position the estate as a living cultural landscape rather than a static destination.

Rooted in history yet uncompromisingly current, SHUMI Winery & Estate continues to shape how Georgian wine is understood, experienced, and celebrated worldwide.

To learn more about Georgian wine culture and SHUMI Winery, visit https://shumiwinery.com/en/home.