Royal Khvanchkara started out life in the 1870s as Kipiani, named after the Rachan nobles who started making a semi-sweet wine from Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes[1]. It was renamed Khvanchkara in 1927 when the Soviets expropriated the estate; they later built the Ambroulauri Wine Factory, which was again rebuilt in 2001. Khvanchkara became very popular in Russia and was said to be (like many other wines) Stalin’s favorite. Today, under the ownership of Mamuka Kharadze and Badri Japaridze, the winery has been renamed Royal Khvanchkara, and renowned winemaker Lado Uzunashvili leads the winemaking team, including winemaker David Iselidze. This same team is responsible for the highly successful rebuilding of the Vazisubani Estate in Kakheti. Royal Khvanchkara has 18 hectares of vineyards in 5 Racha-Lechkhumi villages where they grow Aleksandrouli, Mujuretuli, Usakhelauri, and Tsolikouri.
Vats from Soviet Times
(credit: drwinkler)
Last year I visited Royal Khvanchkara where director Keti Chigladze showed me the wines. In addition to the storied Khvanchkara, the winery makes several other wines from fruit sourced from the Racha, Lechkhumi and Imereti regions. Several of the red wines are off-dry and are best served slightly chilled.
US Importer: Ghvinos
The Wines
The Wines
Royal Khvanchkara 2022 Tsolikouri Racha Starbright platinum straw. This dry Tsolikouri is bright and clean. Opens with aromas that evoke citrus, apple and pear. Pure and crisp on the palate with attractive mineral-like notes. Very good.
Royal Khvanchkara 2022 Tvishi Tsolikouri Tvishi Pale straw. An off-dry white wine sourced from high, south-facing 50 year old vineyards from the village of Tvishi. Scents of orchard fruit and citrus show on the nose, and the palate reveals a fruit basket of white peach, lychee and casava melon. 38 g/L RS but finishes semi-dry due to high acidity. A great wine for spicy Asian food. 12.5% alc.
Royal Khvanchkara 2022 Elliano Racha Pale salmon pink. A semi-dry rosé made from a blend of red (5% Aleksandrouli) and white (95% Tsolikouri) wines. Opens with citrus and floral aromas. Soft on entry. Crisp acidity offsets the sweetness, finishing dry. 12.5% alc.
Royal Khvanchkara 2019 Dzelshavi-Saperavi Racha Medium dark red. Very fresh cherry and red berry nose with savory earth notes. Full in the mouth, clean and pure with a red berry focus. Serve this wine lightly chilled.
Royal Khvanchkara 2022 Aleksandrouli Racha Medium red. Light earth and tobacco notes complement red berries and plum on the nose. The palate is clean with bright acidity, attractive red berry fruit and firm tannins. 14% alc.
Royal Khvanchkara 2023 Khvanchkara Racha This medium red, off dry wine is what made this region famous. A blend of 60% Aleksandrouli and 40% Mujuretuli fermented in stainless steel. Shows excellent balance, a sense of purity, and delicious summer berry aromas and flavors. 36 g/L RS, 12.5% alc. Very good.
Royal Khvanchkara 2023 Usakhelauri Lechkhumi (Okureshis) This wine made from the rare Usakhelauri cultivar is sourced from the mountain slopes of Okureshis village in Lechkhumi. Medium dark red in color, it reveals dark red fruit, licorice and cracked black pepper on the nose and rich flavors of dark cherries, berries and a sprinkling of dark chocolate. Excellent acid-sugar balance, finishing almost dry. 30 g/L RS, 12% alc. Excellent.
[1] Today, a descendant of the original Kipani family has established a new winery also called Kipani.Source : https://i-winereview.com/blog/index.php/2025/01/30/wines-of-racha-lechkhumi-royal-khvanchkara-reborn/
