📍 Kvemo Kartli

Kvemo Kartli, or Lower Kartli, is a historic region of Georgia south of Tbilisi. It is part of the larger Kartli area, one of the oldest wine-growing parts of the country. The administrative centre of the region is the city of Rustavi.

The region has several known grape-growing districts: Bolnisi, where wine is made by long-standing traditions, and Marneuli. The designations Asuretuli Shala, Marneulis Shavi and Marneulis Adreula are also located here. These are protected names of origin, each describing its own wines.

Both white and red grapes are grown here, including Rkatsiteli, Chinuri, Saperavi and Tavkveri. Rkatsiteli and Chinuri give white wines, while Saperavi and Tavkveri give red ones.

The climate is drier and hotter than in the west of the country. The region is considered an old wine-growing zone, and old practices survive, such as ageing wine in clay qvevri vessels.