Join Terry and Kathy Sullivan for a book signing and presentation about Georgia, Sakartvelo: the Birthplace for Wine at Catoctin Breeze Vineyard on Friday, October 4th. We will sign copies of A Wine Journey in the winery tasting room at 15010 Roddy Road Thurmont, Maryland between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm. We will also sign copies of our just published book: A Wine Tourist’s Guide: Visiting Tasting Rooms. In addition to the book signings, we will make a presentation about our recent trip to the country Georgia.

Georgia Sakartvelo, the Birthplace of Wine

Where and when were the first wine grapes cultivated and wine made? It is easy to think of Western Europe. The Ancient Greeks and Romans took grapevines and winemaking practices wherever they colonized. However, archeological evidence places the cultivation of wine grapes and winemaking in a region south of the Caucasus Mountains. What is now the country of Georgia is considered the birthplace for wine. Some 8,000 years ago, grapes were cultivated and wines were made, predating the Greeks and Romans by thousands of years.

Winemaking technology used 8,000 years ago has been kept alive through the millennia. Qvevri were made out of clay and buried in the ground. Wine was fermented and aged in these qvevri, a practice that has continued today.

Terry and Kathy will share their visit to this amazing wine region. Their presentation will highlight the vineyards and winemaking practices in the country Georgia also called Sakartvelo. Discover the making of qvevri and qvevri wine. Also learn of the rich diversity of wine grapes in Georgia. The country has over 500 different wine grape varieties, more than anywhere else on the planet. They will repeat the presentation during the time 3:00 – 7:00 pm on Friday, October 4th at Catoctin Breeze Vineyard.

Vineyards in Kakheti with the Caucasus Mountains in the background