Gozauri was founded in 2004 by Levan Japaridze, who recognized that fine wine can only be made from the very best fruit, grown in the best terroirs. The vineyard is located n the Kakheti region in the country’s eastern valley, within the unique micro-zone of Kindzmarauli.
Japaridze selected the name Gozauri in reference to an ancient style of glazed clay wine bottle first produced in Kakheti.
Gozauri wines are 100% Saperavi grape, considered the finest red variety for this part of Georgia.
Gozauri wines have won medals in local and regional wine competitions, and at the International Wine & Spirits Exhibition in 2018 the Gozauri 2015 won a silver medal for best dry red.
The Wines
Gozauri Saperavi
100% Saperavi, hand harvested then destemmed, crushed and fermented in open-top 225-liter barriques for 20 days. Fermentation is slow and gentle, using only wild yeasts. Aged for 10 months in stainless steel before light clarification prior to bottling, then aged for 6 months in bottle before release. 1,500 cases produced annually.
Gozauri Saperavi Family Reserve
100% Saperavi, hand harvested, then crushed and fermented in 225-liter oak barriques. Fermentation is slow and gentle, using only wild yeasts. Aged for 10 months in barrique before light clarification prior to bottling. 1,000 cases produced annually.
The Vineyard
Located in the micro-zone of Kindzmarauli, the vineyard is at an elevation of 1120 to 1160 feet; the vineyard dominates the valley gently sloping to the south, on the left bank of the Alazani River. The moderately humid climate in the micro-zone is characterized by mild winters, hot summers and a double rainfall peak.
The soils are a mix of alluvial deposits, largely gravel and sand with admixtures and lenses of clay. Exposure on this bank of the river gives long warm days with optimum ripening.
The vineyards are tended naturally without use of herbicides. The wines are made in a more modern style, one fermented in stainless steel, and the other barrel-fermented and oak aged.
