Dila-o "Khaketi Amber" Georgia 2022

FROM WINES OF GEORGIA:

THE WINE: 50/50 blend of rkatsiteli and mtsvane grapes fermented with ambient yeasts in qvevri and bottled without filtration. This amber or “orange” wine is made in a lighter style with 1 month of skin contact, making it a perfect introduction or “gateway” to orange wine. Notes of melon and cantaloupe are backed by bright acidity and gently present tannins on the finish. Organically grown, low-intervention/natural wine, skin-fermented.

THE PRODUCER: Dila-o (dee-la-oh) is a new brand from the Teleda/Orgo winery. Orgo, also referred to as Teleda, is an artisan winery located in Eastern Georgia that specializes in the 8,000 year old Georgian Qvevri wine making tradition and sources all their grapes sourced from at least 50 year-old vines. Making wines from old vines in Georgia is a rare and difficult project since during soviet times most older vines were ripped up and replaced so as to produce more grapes.

Orgo’s work is a labor of love and is one of the rare examples of old vine Georgian wines. The concentration of the old vine grapes and the skill of the winemakers is a unique combination for Georgian wines. Orgo produces distinct visions wines that follow the ancient Georgian qvevri style but raise it to new heights of elegance. The winery is in association with several other producers in the region including Vita Vinea.