For Gulnara Gvelesiani, like for most Georgians, wine is closely connected to childhood memories. Despite living in Tbilisi, she would visit her family’s property in Khashmi every weekend, maintaining her connection with nature. The pivotal decision came in 2017 when they chose winemaking over aviation and planted their vineyard.
They began with a deep and thorough study, which was no easy task, especially during a time when the modern Georgian wine industry was still in its formative stages.
Q: How did your winery’s story develop?
The end of one phase came when we bottled our wine, but that’s when the real journey began. We faced questions about how to present it to customers, how to market it, and whether people would like it. As we began presenting our wine at various venues and received positive feedback, it was a huge encouragement and a sign that we were on the right track and should continue.
Q: How did you choose the name?
We spent a lot of time selecting the name. “Pongino” is derived from Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani's dictionary, meaning “stone of the hearth,” which was the first gift from my husband and is still kept in our winery. Our winery is truly built on our love, and the name reflects that. It sounds good, is easy to remember, and I felt it was the right choice. We took a risk, and it paid off.
Q: What types of wines do you produce?
We produce Khashmi Saperavi, which is our main line. In 2019, due to high demand, we also added Kisi and Muscat Rosé to our offerings. Notably, our "Khashmi Saperavi 2017" won a silver medal at the World Red Wine Competition and is a favorite at various wine contests.
Q: What makes your winery unique?
My children will probably say that I love wine more than them when they read this article. Pongino Wines is like our third child, so wine is my life. When we host guests in Khashmi, we share our family’s story and feel immense emotions from them. Hosting guests is an art in itself; it’s not just about the wine anymore. It’s about introducing them to the country’s culture and traditions.
Q: What are your future plans?
Our future plans focus solely on improving quality; we do not plan to increase quantity. Unlike large wineries, we are in a very dynamic process, expecting something new each year. With every step forward, everything else follows, and you must keep moving. Working on this with my family and my husband's support is a tremendous motivation, without which this would not have been possible.
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