For the second consecutive year, Tsinandali Estate proudly hosted the esteemed wine symposium of the Swiss association “Grand Jury du Vin.” Over the course of two days, wines from some of Europe’s most prestigious wine houses were showcased, offering an exclusive tasting experience. Renowned producers such as Romanee Conti, Clos de Tart, Pol Roger, and Chateau de Lacquy presented their finest selections. The symposium also featured a unique tasting of Georgia’s own traditional wines, including Kvevri and Saperavi.

This year, the grand jury consisted of 27 internationally recognized wine experts. The symposium attracted the world’s most influential winemakers, sommeliers, journalists, and critics, including luminaries like Olivier Poussier, Jérôme Prince, Jacques Rigo, and Jean-Pierre Giraud, who led seminars and masterclasses.

One of the highlights of this year’s event was the tasting and evaluation of up to 35 exceptional Burgundian wines, including Romanee St Vivant, Bonnes Mares MAGNUM, Chambertin MAGNUM, Chambolle Musigny les Amoureuses, and Chambertin Clos de Beze.

In a groundbreaking moment, the “Grand Jury du Vin” symposium featured a tasting of China’s finest wines for the first time in its history, adding a new dimension to the event in Georgia.

Giorgi Ramishvili, Founder of Silk Road Group, expressed his pride in hosting such a prestigious event for the second time:
“We are honored to host the Grand Jury du Vin Symposium once again. It is one of Europe’s most prestigious sommelier associations, and I am delighted that Tsinandali Estate continues to be a venue for world-class events. The Grand Jury du Vin’s tasting of Chinese wines, held for the first time in Georgia, marks a truly historic moment and reflects the revival of the Silk Road. In this unique setting at Tsinandali, Burgundian, Chinese, and Georgian wines come together at the crossroads of history and culture.”

Levan Davitashvili, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, highlighted the significance of the event for Georgian wine promotion:
“For the second year, Tsinandali Estate has hosted the world’s most elite and prestigious wine tasting under the auspices of the Grand Jury. This platform allows Georgian wines to be evaluated alongside leading global wines by renowned experts, further promoting our wine culture internationally. The participation of Chinese experts in this year’s jury is particularly important, as the Chinese market represents a key export destination for us.”

Laurent Vialet, President of the Grand Jury du Vin, emphasized the importance of this year’s symposium:
“For the second time, we have gathered at Tsinandali Estate to taste extraordinary wines. Each one is produced with exceptional craftsmanship. This year’s event is especially notable for being the first to feature Chinese wines, along with the blind tastings of Burgundian wines and Georgia’s Saperavi and Kvevri wines.”

The two-day symposium concluded with a festive dinner prepared by Irakli Asatiani, the Head Chef of Silk Hospitality. Known for his innovative approach to blending traditional Georgian flavors with modern culinary techniques, Asatiani crafted a unique dining experience that celebrated Georgian and European gastronomy. The evening also featured a Georgian folklore and national ballet performance at Tsinandali Estate.

The Tsinandali Wine Symposium is an initiative of the Silk Road Group. The executive team is represented by Laurent Vialet, President of “Grand Jury Du Vin,” and Giorgi Kharabadze, Executive Director of Tsinandali Estate. The event is supported by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, the Bank of Georgia, the National Wine Agency, and the National Tourism Administration, with Silk Hospitality serving as the official host.