Schuchmann Winery

Aka Vinoterra. Georgia has the oldest known wine making tradition in the world, over 8,000 years. They have a unique method of wine making. Grapes are put in a trough where they are crushed by foot. The juice, seeds and skin are placed into underground clay vats or amphorae, up to 3,000 liters at this winery, maybe as large as 10,000 liters elsewhere. See the second picture. The filled vats are left uncovered for a couple weeks for the natural yeast to ferment the juice. The vats are then sealed for 6 months during which the seeds and skin settle to the bottom, acting as a natural filter. The clear wine is pumped off. The mast at the bottom is distilled for chacha, similar to grappa, a grape brandy.
The first pic is the view from the porch over some of their vineyards. The other 2 are of the more traditional wine making processRead more