Family-owned Chelti Winery has expanded into 28 markets across three continents, earned more than 50 international awards, and was featured in The Washington Post’s list of “5 Wines to Try from Around the World.” Managing Partners Ana and Andria Mirianashvili share how their father revived the family’s winemaking legacy 25 years ago, and what lies ahead for the next chapter.
Tell us about Chelti—how did it all start, and how did you get to where you are today?
Chelti is a family owned winery based in Kakheti, Georgia, in a country recognized as the cradle of wine, with over 8,000 years of uninterrupted winemaking history.
Our story began long before Chelti was formally established. The Mirianashvili family has been making wine for generations, with a historic cellar dating back to 1905. This tradition was interrupted during the Soviet period, when private winemaking was not allowed.
In 2001, our father, Giorgi Mirianashvili, made the decision to leave his career in banking and revive the family legacy. What started as a personal vision has grown into an internationally recognized winery, now present in 28 countries.
Today, Chelti combines traditional Georgian qvevri winemaking with modern techniques, creating wines that reflect both heritage and precision. The estate spans 80 hectares, bringing together vineyards, traditional and modern cellars, and an underground aging facility which stores up to 400,000 bottles of fine wine.
This is a family business at its core. What does that mean to you?
For us, being a family business defines how we think and operate. Every decision reflects not only a brand, but our name and responsibility.
Our father is the winemaker and remains deeply involved in both vineyard and cellar work, living on the estate and overseeing the entire winemaking process closely. At the same time, we support the winemaking process while focusing on international development, operations, and strategic growth.
This collaboration between generations creates a natural balance, combining deep rooted experience with a global, forward looking perspective.
Where is your winery, and what makes that place special?
Chelti is located in the village of Shilda, in the heart of Kakheti, on the southwestern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains.
Our vineyards lie at around 400 meters altitude, in the Chelti River Valley. Historically, the Chelti River flowed through our land, depositing mineral rich clay and volcanic soils that define the structure and character of our wines.
The microclimate plays an equally important role. Wide day to night temperature variations, combined with cooling mountain winds, help preserve acidity while allowing the grapes to develop depth and complexity.
Everything, from vineyard to production, is located in one place. This allows us to oversee every stage closely, from manual harvesting to bottling, ensuring that every detail meets the highest standards.
You are currently exporting to 28 countries. Which markets are your biggest priorities, and how did you build that international footprint?
Our key markets include Europe, the United States, and Asia.
We built our international presence gradually, focusing on long term partnerships rather than rapid expansion. We work with partners who understand our philosophy and positioning, which helps us maintain consistency across markets.
At the same time, we have invested in our own infrastructure. We operate a warehouse in Germany for European distribution and another in Shanghai for the Asian market. We also sell through our own ecommerce channels and platforms such as Amazon and WeChat.
The United States is a key focus for us going forward, where we are actively expanding both distribution and logistics capabilities.
How do you ensure your wine gets the international exposure it deserves?
Our approach is straightforward. Quality comes first, and everything else follows.
We work with minimal intervention in the winemaking process, preserving the natural expression of our terroir.
Chelti has received more than 50 gold medals at international competitions, and our Saperavi has been ranked among the top 20 wines globally by Decanter and Mundus Vini.
Our wines are featured in Michelin starred restaurants and were served at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
At the same time, we invest consistently in global visibility through international fairs, partnerships, and collaborations across gastronomy and culture.
What makes the Georgian market different from others, and how do you assert your position here?
Georgia is a market rooted in tradition, yet increasingly defined by competition and a strong emphasis on quality.
Our differentiation lies in how we structure our wines. Chelti is built around two distinct collections, the Family Collection and the Heritage Collection.
The Family Collection represents our core philosophy. Every wine released is personally selected by our family and goes through multiple stages of evaluation. Only wines that fully meet our standards carry the Chelti name.
The Heritage Collection is reserved for exceptional vintages and produced in limited quantities, forming the most premium expression of our portfolio. We hold the most exceptional vintages dating back to 2007, which allows us to clearly demonstrate how our wines evolve over time. Each bottle reflects patience, precision, and a deep connection to Georgian winemaking heritage.
Both collections are primarily positioned within the HoReCa sector, where wines are presented in the right environment, restaurants, hotels, and specialized wine shops.
At the same time, we focus on maintaining one of the strongest quality price ratios in the market. We believe high quality wine should remain accessible, while still meeting premium standards.
Consistency is another key factor. We are able to demonstrate not only aging potential, but also the evolution and reliability of our brand over time.
You have also introduced a new brand, Tipsy Baby. What is the idea behind it?
We introduced Tipsy Baby as a new generation wine brand, more approachable, easy to drink, and aligned with modern lifestyles.
This includes elements such as screwcap closures and a more accessible style of wine, while maintaining a strong focus on quality. The brand has already received international recognition, including a gold medal at Mundus Vini.
With this, we aim to make wine relevant for different generations and occasions, while continuing to evolve with the market.
How do you see your role in developing the premium segment of Georgian wine, and what are you most proud of in this regard?
We see our role in contributing to the positioning of Georgian wine as a credible premium category on the global stage.
From early on, we focused on both quality and presence. Chelti was among the first Georgian wineries to enter three Michelin star restaurant environments, and our wines have received top distinctions, including Best of Show at major competitions.
We have also built partnerships with internationally recognized groups such as Zuma and have been consistently present at leading global wine events.
Our wines have been recognized by leading sommeliers and featured by The Washington Post among “5 Wines to Try from Around the World.”
What we are most proud of, however, is consistency. We continue to work on our wines every day, maintaining stable quality while continuously improving.
Finally, what are your future plans, what’s next for Chelti?
Our focus is on continuous growth and evolution.
We are constantly developing new wines that speak to different generations, while staying true to our identity.
At the same time, we aim to expand into new markets, strengthen our position in existing ones, and build long term partnerships.
Beyond our own brand, we also see it as our role to contribute to the global recognition of Georgian wine, helping establish it firmly within the premium segment.
