Top Whole Foods in DC Boasts Dedicated Georgian Wine Section

Friends, we have good news for you. Georgian wines are gradually becoming a necessary part of the wine portfolios of Washington DC wine shops and restaurants. We are getting closer to the goals that Georgian Wine House set for itself for more than 10 years ago:

– to make Georgian wines known to mainstream American wine consumers
– to let DC area wine aficionados know that WINE actually started in Georgia
– to make sure that Georgian wines become category on its own right, next to the well-known wine categories such as French, Italian, Spanish etc.

Ten years ago sceptics told us that we were dreaming. Some even ridiculed us. Shop owners and wine buyers wouldn’t even talk to us. At that time most of Americans had very little knowledge of Georgia, as a country, and Georgia, as a producer of wines. Georgian wines of questionable quality were available only in Russian/Eastern European ethnic stores.

Today the picture is different. And the photo above is the testimony for the progress that was achieved. This wouldn’t be possible without the help and support of many people, who saw the potential from the beginning, and others, who joined us later in our journey. Steve Feldman of Potomac Wines and Spirits was the first store owner to buy Teliani Valley Tsinandali, Saperavi, Mukuzani, Teliani and Kindzmarauli in 2005. Our friend Rene Piard made the first purchase of wines for Whole Foods in our area. Journalist Tara Bahrampour wrote first article about us, published on front page of the business section in Washington Post in 2007. Editor of the Wine Spectator Thomas Matthews gave first ever ranking to Georgian wines in this respected publication in 2010. Establishments like Compass Rose and Batch 13 elevated awareness about Georgia and Georgian wines to the next level. And Washington Post article by Dave Mcintyre even further galvanized interest towards Georgian wines. Today Georgian wines are proudly featured in some of the best wine lists in DC (Red Hen, Iron Gate, Himitsu, Hazel, Maxwell Park….and many more), Baltimore (Wit & Wisdom, Clavel) and Annapolis (Red Red Wine Bar)

There are three simple reasons why Georgian wines attracted attention from wine professionals, as well as consumers: 1) The wines are just plain good, 2) they feature unique native grape varietals, and 3) they have oldest, 8,000 years old wine story behind them. With this bouquet of factors, it is no wonder Georgian wines are beginning to penetrate the minds and hearts of everybody who enjoys wine, food and travel.

We believe this is still only the beginning of appreciation of wine as an integral part of the ancient spiritual and cultural heritage of Georgia, expressed in polyphonic singing, dynamic art and literature, rich cuisine, and spirit of freedom.   Wine is representing both spiritual and material roots of Georgian identity. Good news is that part of this Georgian identity now can be shared in America!!

Shop our current portfolio and get a bottle or case shipped to almost all states in the US.