Biodynamic Practices and Historical Roots
Since 2004 Wine Company Shumi has collaborated with the famous French winemaker, Jean Michel Ferrandez, who is closely working with Shumi's young, talented wine-maker Giorgi Khatiashvili. Biodynamic and flagship wine, Salome, comes from the historical vineyard Didkure, in Napareuli PDO, which in the past belonged to the Kings of Georgia and Prince Alexander Chavchavadze. Here there are 1.9ha of Saperavi vines, 25 years old and planted at a density of 2,650 vines per hectare, allowing for a maximum production of 30hl/ha.The vineyard is located on the southern, deluvial and mineral rich slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, on the left bank of the Alazani River,at an altitude of 450m above sea level and is surrounded by wildlife.
Artisanal Vinification
Managed biodynamically, all operations are done manually including canopy management, green harvesting and harvest.In 2020 the harvest took place on 28th September, starting at sunrise and ending with the warmer part of the day. Picking was done by hand with the first grape selection taking place in the vineyard before the bunches were placed into 10kg baskets and transported to the winery.
After reception of the grapes at the winery, a second selection was made. Bunches were partly de-stemmed before alcoholic fermentation started in Vicard foudre, specially created from 250 year old oak, medium toast. Fermentation proceeded at 23–28°C, with pigeage (punch downs). Post fermentation there were 12 days of maceration before malolactic fermentation took place in new 225l Vicard oak barrels, medium toast. The wine then developed in these barrels for 11 months.
