Baia's Wine: family winemaking tradition in the heart of Georgia

In the small village of Obcha in the Imereti region, a young winemaker named Baia Abuladze has revitalised her family's three-generation winemaking tradition. Her winery, Baia's Wine, has become a reference point for natural Georgian viticulture: qvevri wines, indigenous varieties and a hospitality that few wineries in the world can match.

bodega georgiana vino en qvevri — tinajas de arcilla enterradas Imereti
Qvevri, the buried clay jars, are the heart of winemaking at Baia's Wine

History and origins: three generations of viticulture in Imereti

Baia Abuladze grew up among vineyards and qvevri (the large buried clay jars that are the hallmark of ancestral Georgian wine, recognised by UNESCO). Together with her sister Gvanca, she decided to professionalise the family winery and export its wines beyond Georgia. Today Baia's Wine is known in the finest natural wine restaurants in Europe.

Baia has received national and international grants for the development of wine businesses and has won awards at specialist natural wine fairs in Italy, France and Spain.

Wine varieties and production process

The winery works exclusively with indigenous Georgian varieties: Tsitska, Tsolikouri and Krakhuna (whites) and Otskhanuri Sapere (red). The wines are made both in qvevri (skin-contact fermentation for months, producing the characteristic amber/orange wines) and in steel tanks for fresher styles.

  • White, amber (orange), red, rosé and sparkling wines
  • Some limited-edition sweet and fortified wines
  • No additives or added sulphites in most productions
degustación de vino georgiano — copas de vino ámbar naranja en bodega
Baia's Wine amber wines are the most characteristic: fermented for months on their skins

Winery experiences: visits with tasting

Visits to Baia's Wine include a tour of the vineyards and cellar with an explanation of the qvevri process, a tasting of 4–6 wines with a pairing of local cheeses and charcuterie, and the possibility of a traditional Georgian dinner cooked by Tamar Gvaladze, who receives visitors with the hospitality that defines Caucasian culture. Book in advance through their website.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Baia's Wine from Kutaisi?

The winery is in Obcha, about 40–50 km from Kutaisi. You can get there by private car or hire a taxi from Kutaisi. The winery can also help with logistics if you book in advance.

Do you need to book to visit Baia's Wine?

Yes, advance booking is essential, especially in high season (May–October). Visits are in small groups to ensure the personalised attention that characterises the winery.

What is a qvevri wine and why is it special?

A qvevri is a buried clay jar in which wine ferments and ages in contact with the skins (grape skins and seeds) for months. The result is the so-called amber or orange wines, with more tannins and complexity than conventional whites. This technique is 8,000 years old in Georgia and is recognised by UNESCO.