REMARKABLE LOCATION
Iori Valley wines are produced in Kakheti, Georgia, next to the Iori River. This is no accident. Good wine-making is also about location, location, location. Georgia has a valid claim as the birthplace of wine, supported by archaeological findings of clay vessels with grape residue dating back 8,000 years. Kakheti is a region in the east of Georgia. It is s the most significant wine producing region of Georgia, home to the best wineries and around 200 indigenous wine grape varieties.
Iori is a river in the South Caucasus that originates in the Mountains and passes by our lands. The Iori River is a central part of the local steppe ecosystem, creating biodiversity, and transporting valuable nutrients from the mountains to the lowlands.
VINEYARD
Iori Valley is nestled in the hills of Kakheti, a Georgian region well known for its winemaking, with beautiful vineyards and rich arable land. Iori Valley started in 2017 with a 23 hectare vineyard, which has since been expanded to 47 hectares; and with plans to further expand to a maximum of 70 hectares, enabling the production of up to 300,000 bottles a year.
LANDSCAPE, SOIL & CLIMATE
Iori Valley is located approximately 600 meters above sea level. Our Vineyards 1, 3 and 4 are located on hillsides, enjoying moderate winds. Our Vineyard 2 is more exposed, located on land with a moderate slope. Iori Valley is considered a semi-arid Mediterranean viticulture area. We benefit from cold nights and hot days. Later winters. Hot summers. Modest rains, mostly outside of growing season. All of which leads to enhancing flavour and improving alcohol.
The vines benefit from deep rich soil. The soil type varies. We have rich brown soil, as well as stony soil and rich layers of clay, which is more suited to planting and growing deep red wines.
PLANTING
Each grape variety is carefully selected and planted in the most appropriate part of our estate to allow it to flourish. Iori Valley vineyards are planted in straight lines with vines 1.0 - 1.5 meters apart and rows 2.0 - 2.5 meters wide. Vineyard 1 is not irrigated at all. Parts of Vineyard 2 are modestly irrigated. Vineyard 3 is lightly irrigated. We believe in low touch approach, making the vines dig deep with their roots to find subterranean water. We believe water can dilute flavour.
We are also experimenting with plantings. We have bush vines and a vineyard configuration rarely used in Georgia.
GRAPES VARIETIES
Iori Valley has planted both red and white grapes, of mostly local varieties but with some international varieties. The majority of our vineyards are seeded with red grapes, comprising around 70% of our total vineyards. The remaining 30% of our vineyards are seeded with white grapes.
Furthermore, the majority of our vineyards are seeded with local Georgian grape varieties, comprising around 67% of our total vineyards. The remaining 33% of our vineyards are seeded with international grape varieties.We are committed to Georgian grape varieties and keeping them alive. The international grapes are for blending and for rose production given that Georgian red grapes are naturally a deep red in colour. From time to time, we also buy grapes from known reputable vineyards.
The following grape varieties are planted at Iori Valley:
The following grape varieties are planted at Iori Valley:
|
GRAPE |
TYPE |
ORIGIN |
|
REDS
|
||
|
Saperavi |
Red |
Georgia |
|
Budeshuri |
Red |
Georgia |
|
Shavkapito |
Red |
Georgia |
|
Aladasturi |
Red |
Georgia |
|
Aleksandrouli |
Red |
Georgia |
|
Tavkveri |
Red |
Georgia |
|
Usaxelouri |
Red |
Georgia |
|
Syrah / Shiraz |
Red |
France/ Persia |
|
Malbec |
Red |
France |
|
Cinsault |
Red |
France |
|
Cabernet Sauvignon. |
Red |
France |
|
Tibouren |
Red |
France |
|
Merlot |
Red |
France |
|
Sangiovese |
Red |
Italy |
|
Barbera |
Red |
Italy |
|
Cortese |
Red |
Italy |
|
Montepulciano |
Red |
Italy |
|
Tempranillo |
Red |
Spain |
|
Grenache |
Red |
Spain |
GRAPES VARIETIES
|
GRAPE |
TYPE |
ORIGIN |
|
WHITES
|
||
|
Kisi |
White |
Georgia |
|
Khikhvi |
White |
Georgia |
|
Mtsvane |
White |
Georgia |
|
Chardonnay |
White |
France |
|
Sovignon Blanc |
White |
France |