June 2, 2011 - American Friends of Georgia hosts evening in New York of tasting the finest wines from the country of Georgia

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“It was one of the best Georgian wine tasting events I have ever attended in the United States”
Mamuka Tsereteli
Georgian Wine House
Executive Director America-Georgia Business Council
AFG Board Member
 
On June 2, 2011, the Board of American Friends of Georgia, Inc. (AFG) in collaboration with CORUS Imports and Georgian Wine House hosted a Wine Tasting reception in New York at the Baryshnikov Arts Center.  The event was a wonderful success with Georgian wine makers and wine importers presenting the finest Georgian wines including classic wines as well as wines made the traditional Georgian way in Qvevri.  There were even wines made by monks at Alaverdi Monastery presented by Metropolitan David, which are not commercially available.

Event included 2 parts: AFG hosted a daytime wine tasting session, sponsored by the AmCham Georgia, from 11:00 AM – 4 PM for wine industry and wine press.  AFG then hosted a Reception from 5:00 – 8:00 PM for the public.  Profits for tickets sold to the evening reception will support AFG’s kindergarten for vulnerable Georgian children.  Both daytime and evening wine tastings took place in a beautiful dance studio with views of the New York skyline at the Baryshnikov Arts Center, 450 West 37th Street, in New York.  This was a rare opportunity for U.S. residents to taste and learn about Georgian wines from the wine makers themselves. 

Many of the wines were shipped to the U.S. for the reception via diplomatic channels.  AFG’s Executive Director, Marusya Chavchavadze, Michael Kabilnitsky of CORUS Imports and  AFG’s volunteer , Teya Beradze of Teya Jewelry  arranged the reception.  The goal of the reception was to interest the wine press , thereby expand the Georgian wine market in the U.S.  and the same time to promote wine tourism  in Georgia. AFG is a non-profit, non-political public charity with 501©(3) tax-exempt status, part of its mission is to present  and promote rich Georgian culture in US.  Georgian wine-is an important part of the Georgian culture.

Approximately 250-270 people attended the two events including Misha Baryshnikov himself.  His presence created quite a lot of excitement.  Also happily present was Timur Alasaniya, President Saakashvili’s uncle.  The wine was beautifully presented.  The mood was elated.  One attendee said, “It was simply fun to sample such a variety of wines which one doesn’t get to do very often.”  Another said “What a wonderful space to hold a wine tasting--with high ceilings and room for everyone to mingle.  It was very friendly and listening to the wine experts describe how their wine is made in Qvevri was educational, fascinating—a great success.  It was a sophisticated wine tasting experience—very informed people there.” A member of the wine press said, “It was a great event!” 

The events were special for Americans who have never tasted such wines to be able to do so.  It was also special for Georgians who live in America to experience the wines.  One young Georgian said, “I moved here as a child and I want to learn about the wines from my country.” It was wonderful for Americans to be told by Georgian wine makers that wine is for pleasure and good for you.  There was a wonderful feeling of happiness in the room.  The room was filled with cultural diversity and there was a generous and hospitable feeling—an opportunity for Americans in New York to experience Georgian hospitality, taste wines from an exotic country and learn about one of the treasures of Georgia.  
 
AFG welcomed Georgian winery owners and wine tourism professionals as well as US wine importers of Georgian wines.  The trip to the U.S. was led by Tina Kezeli, Executive Director of the Georgian Wine Association (GWA) and was initiated by the American Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee and GWA and organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce and USAID’s Economic Prosperity Initiative.  The goal of the trip was to support the growing Georgian wine community in developing wine tourism in Georgia.  The trip included 16 wine producers (members of the Georgian Wine Association) and wine tourism professionals who are visiting wine makers in California and New York State. 
 
Georgian wineries offering their wines to taste were:

JSC Telavi Wine Cellar, Teliani Valley, Pheasant’s Tears, LTD WineMan, Tbilvino, Chateau Mukhrani, Eniseli Wines, JSC Corp. Kindzmarauli, Bagrationi 1882, Vinoterra, Nata Vachnadze, Kakhuri, Dugladze Wine Company, Maisuradze Wines, Tiflis Wine Cellar, JSC Sarajishvili, Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking.

The Georgian Wine Association is the voice of the Georgian wine sector on national and international markets, working to increase public awareness of Georgian wine and to promote and market Georgian wine internationally.  The GWA seeks to nurture local wine traditions and wine making methods, the planting and vinification of endemic varietals, support for scientific research and education in viticulture and wine making, and the development of the wine tourism sector in Georgia.

AFG would love to thank all sponsor and supporters of event: American Chamber of Commerce in Georgia;  NY Restorants: Tbilisi and Pirosmani  which donated Georgian food for the evening; Teya Beradze from Teya Jewelry; Michael Kabilnitsky of CORUS Imports; Mamuka Tsereteli of Georgian Wine House who also helped organize the reception; Lane PR who helped reach out to the press and the wine trade community; and the wonderful volunteers who helped to make this reception possible with special mention of those from the Georgian Honorary Consulate’s Office in New York.  AFG is also grateful to the Baryshnikov Arts Center.

Marusya Chavchavadze
June 6, 2011