In the Caucasus Mountains, the Monks of Dariali make their 2025 Rkatsiteli in traditional Georgian qvevri. Three weeks of fermentation in contact with the grape skins produce a distinctive skin-contact white wine, or Orange Wine, shaped by the grape variety and the use of clay vessels.

Rkatsiteli from the Dariali Gorge

The wine is rooted in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, around the Dariali Gorge, in a mountain setting at approximately 1,300 metres above sea level. Rkatsiteli is one of Georgia's historic white grapes, and here it is made within the traditions of a monastic wine community.

Three weeks on the skins in qvevri

The bunches are selected and harvested by hand. Fermentation takes place in qvevri, traditional clay vessels, with three weeks of skin contact; ageing also continues in qvevri. This extended maceration sets the wine apart from whites made by separating the juice from the skins immediately after pressing.

Why choose this Orange Wine

Choose this Orange Wine to explore the connection between Rkatsiteli, skin contact and qvevri, especially alongside other Georgian grapes. It has 13% ABV, comes in a 750 ml bottle and is made without added sulphites, although naturally occurring sulphites are present.