Alaverdi Monastery Cellar

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Ancient Taste and Aroma Unique to Qvevri

History of Alaverdi Monastery takes start from the VI-th century. It is located at the foot of the greatest Caucasus Mountain, on the west bank of Alazani River in Kakheti. The valleys are well known by its fertility. The royal temple of Alaverdi Monastery has always been the place of Kakheti and Hereti Kings’ prayer and performance of inhabitant monks.

Archeologists discovered remains of the VIII-X century old cellar in the Alaverdi Monastery yard. The cellar contained different sized qvevris. In the XI-th century the King Kvirike the Great built an outstanding cellar compatible to the royal monastery together with the St. George Cathedral.

Since 2006 archeological studies of this ancient cellar has taken place, which revealed up to 50 qvevris with 60 tons of wine capacity. Sophisticated shapes of qvevris are distinguished with its unique method of placement in the ground.

Rehabilitation works of the XI-th century cellar was conducted by financial support of the company “Badagoni. Renewed cellar has been functioning since 2006. This oldest site of wine culture turned into the “golden mine” of qvevri wines made by the traditional Kakhetian technology.

Making wine in qvevri is the oldest Georgian tradition. For centuries it has been passed through generations. By keeping historical tradition and technology, the Kakhetian wine producing in qvevri was restored and revived within the Alaverdi Monastery. This wine embraces the climate, air and earthen flavor of this place that gives our wine a special aroma, velvety taste, high anti-oxidant and other healing properties.

Since ancient times till now the Alaverdi Monastery wine carries the praise to God. Wine heals soul and flesh, gives strength to thank Creator, brighten your mood, enjoy and share splendor of Georgian royalty and glory of monks’ modesty.

Wine making in qvevri is ancient Georgian tradition. It was generated from generation to generation. Historical tradition and technology, Alaverdi Monastery was restored and revived in Kakheti type wine in qvevri. It is characterized by climate, air and ground fragrance characteristic of this place. This makes a special aroma of wine, taste of velvet, high antioxidant and other medicinal properties.

In the wine of the breeze, from ancient times to the present day, the beauty of the Lord is made. The welfare of the soul and the body, thank you to the Creator, Ilkhino, to enjoy the greatness of the Georgian kings and the grace of the mummies.