Merab Dvalishvili’s Wine Road

I am Merab Dvalishvili, a doctoral student in Agricultural Sciences at the Agricultural University of Georgia.

I completed my bachelor's degree at the Agricultural University (in the Viticulture and Winemaking program). After finishing my bachelor's, I continued my studies at the master's level at the Georgian Technical University in the same field, from where I was accepted into the Vinifera EuroMaster double-degree master's program, within the framework of which I worked for 6 months in France, in Bordeaux, at Château de Marsan. I then studied in Italy, at the University of Turin, where I defended my master's thesis.

T: How and why I ended up where I am

My first harvest was at the company GWS. After that, I worked at the Scientific Research Center of Agriculture as a viticulture and winemaking specialist, where I had the opportunity to work in depth on rare Georgian grape varieties. Now, for the third year, I am the winemaker at Uplitsikhe Mamuli. Our main focus is showcasing the identity of Kartli.

We work on both still and sparkling wines. Since the climate and soil of Kartli provide the best conditions for creating high-acid, elegant wines, the production of sparkling wine using the traditional bottle method is a particular challenge and priority.

I am also currently a member of the National Wine Tasting Commission, which allows me to monitor the quality dynamics of Georgian wine.

T: How I chose this profession 

My choice stems from my childhood and family. Wine was a culture I saw around me. It was this early interest that pushed me to turn it into a professional path.

T: My goal 

I wish to gain even more practical experience in various winemaking regions around the world. I believe that seeing this field from many angles, getting acquainted with different technologies, terroirs, and approaches, will give me more diverse practical knowledge, which is of utmost importance in winemaking.

T: What motivates me to do what I do 

For me, the main source of motivation is the process itself. Despite the fact that the final product is important, what is far more precious to me is the journey we go through in creating wine - the teamwork and the energy spent from the vineyard to the bottle.

T: What Georgian winemaking is lacking 

Despite the fact that Georgian wine is known and appreciated throughout the world in professional circles, I think there is still a lack of awareness among the wider, mass consumer. Our wine needs more communication on the international market, so that the average consumer knows about our unique history.

T: Advice for those who are now choosing this profession

To those who are now choosing this profession, I would say that there are no pre-defined pieces of advice that will work the same way for everyone. In my opinion, everyone has their own individual path in this field, and the most important thing is to find your own place. To do this, you need a lot of trying and a willingness to always be in a process of searching. If you truly love what you do, your place will definitely reveal itself.