About 11,000 tonnes of grapes of various varieties have been processed in the Kakheti region, east Georgia, as of September 8.
About 2,000 tonnes of grapes are processed every day in Kakheti, says the National Wine Agency of Georgia, noting that the grape harvest is now entering the active phase.
Of the 11,000 tonnes already processed, around 6,000 tonnes of grapes were of the Rkatsiteli variety, 2,000 tonnes were Saperavi, while 1,000 tonnes were Kakhuri Mtsvane.
The grapes have been processed by 40 wine companies and cellars so far, says the agency.
This year, to support the viticulture and winemaking sector affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Georgia will subsidize Rkatsiteli and Kakhuri Mtsvane,” says the National Wine Agency of Georgia.
The subsidy will be given to wine companies that buy and process at least 1,000 tonnes of Rkatsiteli or Kakhuri Mtsvane grapes grown in the Kakheti region.
Also, the company is obliged to pay not less than 0.8 GEL to farmers.
When purchasing 1 kg of grapes, the amount of subsidy a company will receive is 0.3 GEL per 1 kilogram.
A special grape harvest coordination centre is located in Telavi in the heart of Kakheti, that offers support to wine growers and producers around the clock.