IMERLISHVILEBIS MARANI
Melaani
Kakheti
The name "Zuras" comes from Zura Imerlishvili, Valo’s uncle, who played a key role in helping to renovate the family's ancestral vineyards and winery. His grandfather, Sosia, was the first person in the village of Melaani to own a vineyard as large as one hectare, at the beginning of the 20th century. However, the communists later took it away. Later, Sosia’s son Valiko continued the family tradition and passed on to Valo, who manages the marani today.
In 2017, the first wine was bottled, named Samtskhvre after their second vineyard. Shortly after, Zuras was introduced. Currently, the winery only produces Rkatsiteli wines.
The label for Zuras features a painting of Zura himself, with the Melaani landscape and the village’s 18th-century Trinity Church in the background.
The winery’s holdings cover an area of 1.5 hectares at an elevation of 750-800 meters above sea level, with vineyards planted on mostly flat, stony soils, which are naturally rich in minerals. The vines are approximately 60 years old. Vinification follows the traditional Kakhetian process, with 21 days of maceration (using both skins and stems) in stainless steel, after which the wine is pressed and transferred back to tank for a minimum of 6 months.
Valo’s mission is to produce natural wines from indigenous grape varieties, while sharing knowledge and encouraging others in the village to farm grapes naturally to produce additive-free wines.
As a painter and sculptor, Valo designs all wine labels himself. Having a deep love for the village where they spent their childhood, they also plan to plant Kakhuri Mtsvane on uncultivated land in the area.
Zuras
Vintage 2022
Style Skin Contact
Region Kakheti
Varieties Rkatsiteli
ABV 13.5%
Soils Clay, gravel
Farming Organic (not certified)
Winemaking Zuras comes from 60yo vines planted on a plateau at an elevation of 750m above sea level. Grapes are fermented on their skins (and stems too) for 21 days, according to the traditional Kakhetian method. After pressing the wine returns to stainless steel where it rests for a minimum of 6 months. Bottled unfined, unfiltered and without any SO2.
Tasting Note