Kakheti was an independent principality from the end of the eighth century. It was incorporated into the united Georgian Kingdom at the beginning of the eleventh century, but for less than a decade. Only in the beginning of the twelfth century did Georgian King David the Builder (1089â1125) incorporate Kakheti into his Kingdom successfully.Artifacts have been found in the territory of Georgia wine country that provide evidence for an 8000-year-old continuous tradition of winemaking. For millennia, the varying cultures of Georgia wine country have maintained the Qvevri technique of making wine. Today, the same wine-making style is still as popular and is an integral part of the identity of Georgian winemaking. A Qvevri is a large clay vessel with a specific shape. In the Georgian language, Qvevri means buried in the ground, which in itself tells us about the essence of this technique. The Qvevri is buried in the ground but with the top exposed above ground to easily control the vinification process. The Qvevri is sealed with a wooden or stone cover, which is encased in a layer of clay, acting as a sealant. The opening of a Qvevri usually takes place in spring and is always followed by a celebration, an event worth witnessing. It makes spring one of the best periods to visit Kakheti wine region.
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