Alapiani's Marani

Natural qvevri wine, three friends

The estate was founded in 2014 by three friends who met during military service. Merab Mirtskhulava runs the cellar, Soso handles clay and qvevri, Avto the finances; they also own the natural-wine bar «Baza» in Tbilisi.

The marani stands in Orkhevi on the edge of Tbilisi; the estate does not publish its exact address, so a visit is best arranged by phone. The vineyards are spread across three different climates: the hot eastern Kakheti at Vazisubani, inner Kartli near Okami, and Bolnisi in the south. The Kakhetian plot of one and a half hectares is certified organic and grows Rkatsiteli, Saperavi and the rare Buera.

The wine is made in qvevri, unfiltered and without chemicals, in small batches and often as blends. From the Kartli varieties they use Chinuri, Tavkveri, Shavkapito and Goruli Mtsvane.