Our history
The Qvevri, a clay vessel traditionally buried in the ground, has been used for winemaking for over 8000 years. In 2013, UNESCO recognized this ancient Georgian method as a monument of intangible cultural heritage. The ovoid shape of the Qvevri is ideal for wine fermentation and long aging.
At SHUMI, the winemaking operations are performed manually, including crushing, mixing, removing stems and pips, and pressing. As a result, SHUMI’s amber and red wines are rich in antioxidants and minerals, and have expressive flavors and aromas.
Our winemaking approach associates traditional Georgian winemaking methods (Qvevris) with European techniques, creating wines that represent our terroir, passion and heritage.
In 2003, SHUMI established the First Private Comprehensive Varietal Collection Vineyard in Georgia to preserve the genetics of the country’s indigenous grape varieties. This collection, which is the largest private collection in the world, has saved several dozen native Georgian grape varieties from total extinction.
Currently, the collection includes 2000 varieties from 47 countries, including 33 previously unknown varieties. The collection is listed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations with its own unique code, GEO036, and has significant scientific and research value.
