Our 2025 Georgian grape harvest season at Ambrosia began on August 20th. From that moment, we monitored sugar levels daily, aiming for perfect ripeness. This year challenged us: persistent rains kept lowering the sugar in the grapes.
In Georgia, grape picking can vary greatly across regions. Harvest times can shift by weeks even within the same vintage. That unpredictability makes harvest season the most intense time of the year.
Still, our team rose to the challenge. Led by our head winemaker Olga Akulashvili and supported by local collaborators, we worked extended hours — from 9 AM until 5 AM — for several nights in a row, processing every grape we could save and locking in as much quality as possible.
This year, Georgia saw its largest grape harvest in three decades. Official data reports that around 330,000 to 336,000 tons of grapes were processed nationwide in 2025. source.
In the main wine region of Kakheti alone, the processed volume reached a record high. source.
Of that Georgian grape harvest, approximately 134,000 tons came from the red grape variety Saperavi across all producers. source.
In this context, Ambrosia harvested 20 tonnes of Saperavi for our own production, although our vineyard’s overall production is much higher.
However, due to the heavy rains, many vineyards across Georgia reported lower yield and quality losses. Rotten grapes increased, and many producers had to discard part of their harvest. Sugar levels this year were lower than in 2024, when many harvested at 24° Brix. Given the climate challenges, we opted for a slightly lower sugar threshold, prioritizing quality and balance over maximum potential alcohol.
Thanks to rigorous harvesting, rapid processing, and careful grape selection, the 2025 vintage taught us a lot about flexibility and resilience. We learned how to adapt our schedule and teams to unpredictable weather, while preserving the integrity of our wines.
This harvest reaffirmed our philosophy: respect Georgian winemaking heritage, but apply modern techniques and careful quality control. The wines from 2025 reflect this balance. They carry the region’s tradition, from grape to qvevri culture, with a refined touch that fits both Georgian and international palates.
The 2025 harvest confirmed Georgia’s capacity to deliver large-scale grape production even under challenging weather. For Ambrosia, it proves we can grow fast, learn, and deliver consistent quality.
Next steps for us: ageing the new wines, preparing blends, and launching the new vintage for our audience. Meanwhile, we remain committed to sustainability, local partnerships, and exporting Georgian terroir to the global stage.
