Kakheti
Kakheti produces 75% of Georgian wine using UNESCO-protected 8,000-year qvevri methods, anchoring $4.6B wine tourism sector forecast.
Kakheti functions as Georgia's wine heartland, producing approximately 75% of national output using qvevri (clay vessel) methods that UNESCO recognizes as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The region's 8,000-year winemaking tradition provides both heritage tourism draw and agricultural livelihood, with wine exports growing as international recognition expands. The $4.6 billion wine tourism sector forecast centers substantially on Kakheti's vineyards and wineries.
The Alazani Valley concentrates viticulture, its microclimate and soils producing distinctive varieties (Saperavi, Rkatsiteli) that define Georgian wine character. Boutique wineries have proliferated alongside traditional family production, creating visitor experiences that range from rustic authenticity to luxury hospitality. Signagi's restored historic townscape provides Instagram-ready backdrops that social media spreads globally.
Beyond wine, Kakheti's economy includes grain, livestock, and other agriculture. The Azerbaijani border creates limited cross-border trade, though pipeline transit provides revenues. Whether Kakheti can manage wine tourism growth—preserving authenticity while capturing value—tests whether the region becomes Georgia's Napa or dilutes its heritage through commercialization.