The President of Georgia visited Kakheti region. The President gathered grapes together with Kakheti farmers in vineyard and listened to the information given by the population of Khodasheni and the Minister of Agriculture Bakur Kvezereli about the process of vintage.

Mikheil Saakashvili visited the Esitashvili family.

He attended a traditional ritual of vintage in Kvemo Khodasheni. As he pointed out the previous two years the major problems were lines. "This year there was no loss in the vintage because the grapes are already appropriately placed. We spent much more money last year on vintage, but the vintage was unsuccessful because it was not organized well. This year everything was organized very well. Next year we will have a regular highway from Gombori that will shorten the way twice", said Mikheil Saakashvili.

Later the President of Georgia met the governors of the region in Tsinandali residence and listened to their information about the vintage. Mikheil Saakashvili said that Georgia addressed Azerbaijan for assistance and next year we will receive chemicals from Azerbaijan. He said that it is desirable to export Georgian grapes to the American market. Every Georgian citizen must participate in the process of advertising Georgian grapes. "The most important what we have to reach is that we have to expect vintage not with the fright but as the celebration every year we will absolutely be able to do it. We learned to pass a grape gathering process better and to produce better wine. Our wine is far better then it was before embargo. Now we have to learn to sell wine. The major mistake of the winemakers was that they thought Russian market was more profitable than American market. Our real friends today are people in New York, Washington, California and Huston. Here we have to learn to sell wine. Those who tried it reached success", stated the President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili.

Communications Office
of the President of Georgia