Grape variety
Ojaleshi
Rare red variety · Samegrelo
A late-ripening red grape variety from the humid west of Georgia, traditionally grown climbing up trees. It produces fragrant, silky red wines, either dry or naturally semi-sweet.
- Colour
- Red
- Home region
- Samegrelo, also Lechkhumi
- Harvest
- Mid-November to early December
- Acidity
- Lively
Origin
From Samegrelo, today also from Lechkhumi and Adjara. In the twentieth century the variety had almost disappeared. It has been replanted in recent years, and around 86 hectares grow today.
The name
In Megrelian, roughly ‘growing up the tree’. Traditionally the vines climbed alders or persimmon trees.
In the vineyard
One of the latest-ripening varieties in Georgia, with low yields. Today it mostly grows on tall trellises. Our grapes come from Bandza, one of the historically most important villages for Ojaleshi, from lime-rich soils.
The grapes
Small, thick-skinned, deep purple berries.
Taste and aroma
Violets, cherry, pomegranate and plum, with fig, black tea, spice and tobacco. Silky tannins.
How we make it
Our 2019 Ojaleshi fermented spontaneously in qvevri, where it then aged for six months before bottling.
Food pairings
Grilled dishes, Mediterranean cooking and mature cheese.
Our wines
Our Ojaleshi wines
Other grapes we work with