The Alazani Valley & the Brothers' Vision
Jos! Wines is a brother-run natural wine estate in the village of Gulgula, Kakheti, Georgia — the heartland of Georgian viticulture, where wine has been made for 8,000 years and where the Alazani River Valley produces some of the country's most distinctive grapes. Founded by George and Tamaz Gomiashvili, Jos! is the result of friendship, shared vision, and a commitment to bringing Georgia back onto the world wine map. The name "Jos!" is derived from the Georgian toast "Gaumarjos!" — meaning "Victory to you!" — the everyday way Georgians say cheers. The estate focuses on creating terroir-driven, natural wines with the lowest possible manipulation in both vineyard and winery: dry farming, careful harvesting practices, controlled yields, precise temperature control throughout the winemaking process, no added sulfites, and no filtration. The brothers work exclusively with CaucasusCert certified organic and practicing organic winegrowers, ensuring that every grape meets their exacting standards. Their philosophy is rooted in the belief that great wines start from great soils, and they actively support organic and biodynamic practices in viticulture. The portfolio spans both qvevri and European-style wines — from amber skin-contact wines fermented in buried clay amphorae to fresh, stainless steel whites that showcase the purity of Kakhetian varieties. This is a winery that bridges ancient tradition and modern precision, producing wines that express their purest form, as Nature intended.
The Gomiashvili Brothers & the Georgian Revival
The story of Jos! Wines begins with two brothers — George and Tamaz Gomiashvili — and a shared conviction that Georgia, the cradle of wine with 8,000 years of continuous winemaking history, deserves to be recognised not merely as a historical curiosity but as a living, breathing source of world-class wines. Theirs is a story of friendship and family, of a new generation determined to heal the wounds inflicted by Soviet occupation and decades of industrial production that very nearly erased the country's extraordinary viticultural legacy. The name "Jos!" itself is a declaration of optimism — derived from "Gaumarjos!", the Georgian toast that means "Victory to you!" It is the everyday way Georgians raise their glasses, and it captures the spirit of a winery that sees itself as part of a national revival.
Georgia's winemaking history stretches back to the ancient times — the earliest evidence of human winemaking was discovered in Georgia, recognising it as the true cradle of wine. Yet this precious legacy was devastated by constant wars and Soviet occupation, which destroyed traditional practices, collectivised vineyards, and reduced Georgian wine to bulk production for export to Russia. Only recently has the wine industry begun to emerge from these ashes, and the Gomiashvili brothers are proud to be part of the new winemaking generation that strives to bring Georgia back onto the world wine map — not only for professionals, but for consumers around the globe who are discovering the unique character of Georgian indigenous varieties and ancient qvevri techniques.
George and Tamaz founded Jos! Wines with a clear, uncompromising philosophy: to create terroir-driven, natural wines with the lowest possible manipulation in both the vineyard and the winery. They are not farmers themselves in the traditional sense; rather, they are selectors, collaborators, and precision winemakers who work exclusively with CaucasusCert certified organic and practicing organic winegrowers across Kakheti. This exclusive relationship guarantees that their partner growers closely follow the brothers' standards and produce exceptional fruit — grapes that meet exacting criteria for health, ripeness, and typicity. The brothers then apply their winemaking expertise with meticulous attention to detail: dry farming, careful harvesting practices, controlled yields, and precise temperature control throughout every stage of the process.
The result is a portfolio that bridges two worlds — ancient and modern, traditional and innovative. On one hand, Jos! produces qvevri wines fermented and aged in buried clay amphorae, continuing the 8,000-year tradition that makes Georgian wine unique on the global stage. On the other hand, they produce European-style wines made in stainless steel, showcasing the clarity and freshness of Kakhetian varieties without the phenolic weight of extended skin contact. This dual approach is not a compromise; it is a statement of confidence — the belief that Georgian grapes are versatile enough to excel in any format, and that the brothers' role is to guide each variety to its most authentic expression, whether that lies in clay or steel, in amber or in crystal clarity.
Since its establishment, Jos! has grown from a passionate project into a recognised name in Georgian natural wine, with distribution in the United States, Europe, and beyond. The wines appeal to both the natural wine enthusiast seeking unfiltered, unsulfured authenticity and the curious newcomer looking for an accessible entry into Georgian wine. The "Flash" orange wine — a blend of Mtsvane and Kisi — has become particularly popular, praised for its inviting floral tones, fresh acidity, and medium-plus tannins that make it "a winner for the beginner." The "Simply" Khikhvi offers another gateway: beautifully fresh, with orange blossom and tangerine notes, pink pepper spice, and a lingering chewy fruit character that demonstrates the extraordinary potential of this low-yielding, slow-ripening Kakhetian variety. These are wines that educate as they delight — each bottle a small lesson in the depth and diversity of Georgian viticulture.
"We focus on creating terroir driven, natural wines with lowest possible manipulation in the vineyard and in the winery. Dry farming, careful harvesting practices, controlled yields, precise temperature control throughout the winemaking process, no added sulfates and no filtration — results in the wines that express their purest form, as Nature intended it."
— George & Tamaz Gomiashvili, Jos! Wines
The Alazani Valley & the Organic Growers
The Kakheti region is the most important and celebrated wine region of Georgia — a land of dramatic mountain ranges, fertile river valleys, and a viticultural history that stretches back to the Neolithic era. It is here, in the Alazani River Valley, that the vast majority of Georgia's wine grapes are grown, where 18 Protected Designations of Origin (PODs) define the country's most prestigious wine styles, and where the qvevri tradition has been maintained with particular fidelity through centuries of war, Soviet occupation, and modern revival. Kakheti is not merely a wine region; it is the beating heart of Georgian viticulture, the place where the country's 500+ indigenous varieties find their most complete expression, and where the contrast between ancient clay and modern steel plays out most vividly.
Jos! Wines is located in the village of Gulgula, in the heart of the Alazani Valley — a landscape of vineyards, walnut groves, and ancient stone that embodies the pastoral beauty of eastern Georgia. Unlike many Georgian natural wine producers who farm their own vineyards, Jos! operates through exclusive relationships with CaucasusCert certified organic and practicing organic winegrowers across the region. This collaborative model allows the brothers to select the finest fruit from multiple sites, each with its own soil composition, elevation, and microclimate, while ensuring that every grape meets their rigorous standards for organic integrity and quality. The growers they work with are not anonymous suppliers; they are partners in a shared vision, carefully chosen and closely monitored to guarantee that their farming practices align with the Jos! philosophy of minimal intervention and maximum respect for the land.
The farming philosophy that governs these partner vineyards is rooted in organic and biodynamic principles. Dry farming — the practice of growing vines without irrigation, forcing roots to dig deep into the subsoil — is a cornerstone of the Jos! approach. This method produces grapes of greater concentration, complexity, and drought-resistance, expressing the true character of the terroir rather than the artificial abundance that irrigation can create. Careful harvesting practices ensure that only the healthiest, most perfectly ripe bunches are selected, with multiple passes through the vineyard if necessary. Controlled yields keep production low and quality high, a choice that reduces volume but increases flavour intensity and balance. No synthetic fertilisers, no pesticides, no herbicides — just the natural rhythms of the Kakhetian climate, the ancient soils of the Alazani Valley, and the patient stewardship of growers who share the Gomiashvili brothers' commitment to purity.
The soils of the Alazani Valley are a complex mosaic of alluvial deposits, clay, limestone, and river stones — a geological diversity that contributes to the region's extraordinary range of wine styles. The climate is continental, with hot summers, cold winters, and significant diurnal variation that preserves acidity while allowing full phenolic ripeness. The Caucasus Mountains to the north provide protection from cold northern winds, while the valley's open eastern aspect captures the morning sun. These are conditions that have produced exceptional wine for eight millennia, and that continue to yield grapes of remarkable depth and character when farmed with care and respect. The brothers' partner vineyards are situated across this varied landscape, giving Jos! access to a breadth of terroir expression that a single estate could not achieve alone.
The indigenous varieties that define the Jos! portfolio are the classic grapes of Kakheti — varieties that have been cultivated in this region for centuries and that speak of its soil, its climate, and its history in a way that international grapes never could. Mtsvane — "green" in Georgian — is a bright, aromatic white with high acidity and citrus character, excellent for both qvevri and stainless steel production. Kisi is an early-ripening, acid-retaining white that offers tropical and citrus notes in steel and blossomy peach, pear, and almond complexity in qvevri. Khikhvi is the lowest-yielding of the main Kakhetian whites, ripening slowly at higher altitudes to attain snappy acidity and a big, bloomy, wild flower and honey aroma — gewürztraminer-like, but less intense and more elegant. Rkatsiteli — "red horn," a reference to its reddish-brown stems — is Georgia's most planted grape, versatile and vigorous, capable of producing everything from crisp stainless steel whites to deep, tannic amber wines with dried apricot, peach, and earthy spice. Saperavi is the great red of Kakheti, a teinturier variety with red flesh and red juice, producing dense, dark, powerful wines of blackberry, plum, and pepper. These are not international clones; they are Georgian grapes with Georgian identity, and they are the reason Jos! exists.
Village of Gulgula, Kakheti region, eastern Georgia. Heart of the Alazani River Valley. 18 Protected Designations of Origin. Dramatic mountain ranges, fertile river valleys. Continental climate, hot summers, cold winters. Significant diurnal variation. The beating heart of Georgian viticulture for 8,000 years.
Soil: complex mosaic of alluvial deposits, clay, limestone, and river stones. Geological diversity across partner vineyards. Good drainage, mineral richness. Forces vines to struggle and concentrate flavours. The source of the depth and complexity that defines Jos!'s wines.
Exclusive relationships with certified organic and practicing organic growers. CaucasusCert certification. Dry farming, no irrigation. Careful harvesting, controlled yields. No synthetic fertilisers, no pesticides, no herbicides. Partners chosen for shared vision and rigorous standards. Agriculture as collaboration and stewardship.
Mtsvane (bright aromatic white, high acidity, citrus). Kisi (early-ripening, acid-retaining, tropical and blossomy). Khikhvi (low-yielding, slow-ripening, wild flower and honey). Rkatsiteli (most planted, versatile, crisp to deep amber). Saperavi (great red, teinturier, dense and dark). The classic grapes of Kakheti in their purest expression.
The Qvevri & the Stainless Steel
At Jos! Wines, the winemaking philosophy is one of precise minimal intervention and maximum terroir expression — a commitment to allowing the distinct character of Kakheti's indigenous varieties and the quality of organic fruit to shine through with the least possible manipulation. The brothers employ two distinct but complementary approaches: qvevri fermentation and ageing for their amber and traditional wines, and stainless steel vinification for their fresh, European-style expressions. Both methods share the same foundational principles: no added sulfites, no filtration, native yeast fermentation, and precise temperature control throughout the process. This is not a rejection of modernity in favour of rusticity, nor a sanitisation of tradition for mass appeal; it is a thoughtful, dual-track approach that recognises the versatility of Georgian grapes and the diversity of wine drinkers' preferences.
The qvevri wines are fermented and aged in traditional clay amphorae buried underground — the 8,000-year-old vessel that makes Georgian wine unique on the global stage. The qvevris provide thermal inertia, natural micro-oxygenation, and the perfect environment for extended skin contact, which transforms white grapes into the amber wines that have become Georgia's most famous export to the natural wine world. At Jos!, the qvevri approach is applied with precision: grapes are hand-harvested from organic partner vineyards, fermented with native wild yeasts, and aged with skins, seeds, and stems for periods that vary by variety and vintage. The result is wines of extraordinary textural depth, phenolic structure, and complex aromatics — not the rough, "swamp water" qvevri wines of Georgia's early natural wine boom, but polished, balanced expressions that demonstrate how far the country's artisanal producers have evolved.
The stainless steel wines represent Jos!'s modern face — fresh, clean, varietally precise expressions of Kakhetian grapes that appeal to drinkers who may be intimidated by the tannic weight and oxidative character of traditional amber wines. Here, the brothers apply the same rigour: hand-harvested organic grapes, native yeast fermentation, precise temperature control to preserve aromatic freshness, and no filtration to maintain texture and authenticity. The result is wines of crystalline clarity, vibrant acidity, and immediate appeal — wines that serve as accessible gateways into Georgian viticulture while maintaining the integrity and purity that define the Jos! brand. These are not industrial, manipulated wines; they are simply Georgian grapes allowed to speak in a different dialect.
"Flash" — The Mtsvane-Kisi Orange: The "Flash" is Jos!'s most popular and widely distributed wine — an orange (amber) wine made from 70% Mtsvane and 30% Kisi, two of Kakheti's most important white varieties. It is a wine designed to introduce newcomers to Georgian amber wine: inviting, floral, and fruit-forward, with enough structure to be interesting but not so much as to be challenging. In the glass, it is deep amber-gold with a slight haze. The nose offers inviting floral tones of orange blossom and white flowers, with apricot, melon rind, and marmalade emerging as it opens. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with medium-plus tannins that provide grip without astringency, and a melange of tropical fruits and spice that lingers on the finish. It is, as one retailer noted, "a winner for the beginner" — but it is also a wine of genuine quality that rewards the experienced drinker. Serve at 12–14°C. Drink young. ~€18–€26 / ~$20–$28 USD.
"Simply" Khikhvi — The Elegant Amber: The "Simply" Khikhvi is Jos!'s most elegant and aromatic wine — a qvevri amber made from 100% Khikhvi, the lowest-yielding and most temperamentally challenging of Kakheti's main white varieties. Khikhvi ripens slowly at higher altitudes, where it attains a snappy acidity and a big, bloomy aroma of wild flowers and honey — characteristics that have led some tasters to compare it to gewürztraminer, though it is less intense and more refined. In the glass, it is copper-amber with bright clarity. The nose is beautifully fresh — orange blossoms, tangerines, and a bit of pink pepper spice that adds intrigue. The palate is chewy and textured, with lingering starburst fruit, vibrant acidity, and a long, complex finish that unfolds in layers. This is a wine for the curious and the discerning — proof that Khikhvi, when handled with precision, can produce world-class amber wine. Serve at 12–14°C. Drink young to medium term. ~€20–€30 / ~$22–$33 USD.
"Simply" Rkatsiteli — The Classic Amber: The "Simply" Rkatsiteli is Jos!'s most traditional and profound qvevri wine — made from Georgia's most widely planted white grape, but treated with the respect and patience that the variety demands. Rkatsiteli is known as "red horn" for its reddish-brown stems, which make it particularly well-suited to qvevri fermentation, where stems add earthy spice and structural complexity without green harshness. At Jos!, the Rkatsiteli undergoes extended skin contact in qvevri, developing a deep amber hue, complex phenolic texture, and a bouquet that evolves continuously in the glass. In the glass, it is deep copper-amber with a slight haze. The nose offers dried apricot, golden apple, sweet tea, honey, and a distinct earthy, nutty undertone. The palate is full-bodied, with pronounced tannins, high acidity, and a long, savoury, mineral finish. It is a serious wine for serious drinkers — the kind of amber wine that explains why Georgia invented this style eight millennia ago. Serve at 14–16°C. Age 5–10 years. ~€22–€32 / ~$24–$35 USD.
"Simply" Mtsvane — The Fresh White: The "Simply" Mtsvane is Jos!'s freshest and most approachable wine — a stainless steel white made from 100% Mtsvane, the bright, aromatic "green" grape of Kakheti. Unlike the amber wines in the portfolio, this is a European-style expression: clean, crisp, and immediately appealing, with no skin contact and no oxidative character. It is the perfect introduction for those who are curious about Georgian wine but not yet ready for the intensity of qvevri. In the glass, it is pale straw with brilliant clarity. The nose offers lemon, green apple, white flowers, and a hint of fresh herbs. The palate is light to medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity, a silky texture, and a long, clean, refreshing finish. It is a wine of purity and precision — the kind of wine that pairs effortlessly with salads, seafood, and light dishes, or simply refreshes on a hot afternoon. Serve at 8–10°C. Drink young. ~€16–€24 / ~$18–$26 USD.
"Simply" Saperavi — The Dense Red: The "Simply" Saperavi is Jos!'s flagship red — a qvevri-aged wine made from Georgia's most famous indigenous red variety, the teinturier grape with red flesh and red juice. Saperavi is capable of extraordinary depth and power, and at Jos! it is handled with the same precision that defines the brothers' white and amber wines. Fermented with native yeasts and aged in qvevri, it develops a wine of dense, dark fruit expression with natural freshness and no added heaviness. In the glass, it is deep purple-black with violet reflections. The nose offers blackberry, black cherry, plum, black pepper, and a smoky, earthy undertone. The palate is full-bodied, with firm but ripe tannins, high acidity, and a long, clean, mineral finish. It is a wine of both power and poise — proving that Saperavi does not need oak to express its grandeur, only time, clay, and the patience of brothers who understand its potential. Serve at 16–18°C. Decant if possible. Age 5–12 years. ~€25–€38 / ~$28–$42 USD.
Vessels & The Cellar: The Jos! cellar in Gulgula is a place of dual tradition — a working winery where both ancient qvevris and modern stainless steel tanks coexist in productive tension. The qvevris are traditional clay amphorae, lined with beeswax and buried in the earth, providing stable temperature and natural humidity through the seasons. The stainless steel tanks are temperature-controlled, allowing the brothers to ferment their fresh-style wines with precision and to preserve the aromatic delicacy of varieties like Mtsvane and Kisi. There is no oak at Jos! — the brothers explicitly reject it, believing that Georgian grapes express themselves most authentically either in the pure neutrality of steel or the ancient embrace of clay. All wines, regardless of vessel, are made with the same commitment: no added sulfites, no filtration, no fining, no commercial yeasts. The cellar is cool, clean, and organised — reflecting the brothers' belief that minimal intervention does not mean maximal chaos, and that the best natural wines are made by winemakers who are present, attentive, and precise. As George and Tamaz tend their production each year, they are not merely making wine; they are continuing a conversation that began 8,000 years ago in the same Alazani Valley, with the same grapes, and the same determination to prove that Georgia is, was, and always will be the cradle of wine.
"Flash" — "70% Mtsvane, 30% Kisi — Inviting Floral Tones of Orange Blossom and White Flowers — Apricot, Melon Rind, Marmalade, Tropical Fruits and Spice — Fresh Acidity, Medium-Plus Tannins — A Winner for the Beginner, A Delight for the Expert"
The "Flash" is Jos! Wines' most popular and accessible wine, its signature orange (amber) expression, and the liquid testament to everything George and Tamaz Gomiashvili believe about indigenous Kakhetian grapes, qvevri winemaking, and the power of precision. It is not merely an orange wine; it is an invitation — a wine that proves Georgian amber can be both profound and approachable, structured and joyful, ancient and utterly contemporary. The name — "Flash" — evokes the immediate, electric connection that this wine creates with drinkers, the spark of recognition that comes from tasting something genuinely new and genuinely good.
The viticulture is organic across the partner vineyards of the Alazani Valley. The Mtsvane and Kisi grapes are grown by CaucasusCert certified organic and practicing organic growers who follow the brothers' exacting standards: dry farming, careful harvesting, controlled yields, and no synthetic inputs. The continental climate of Kakheti, with hot summers and cold winters, provides perfect conditions for grapes of purity and concentration. The alluvial, clay, and limestone soils of the valley force the vines to struggle, to dig deep, to extract the minerals and complexity that define the wine. The result is grapes of extraordinary clarity and character — grapes that carry the imprint of the Alazani Valley, the Caucasus Mountains, and the patient stewardship of growers who share the Gomiashvili brothers' vision.
In the cellar, the grapes are hand-harvested and co-fermented spontaneously with native yeasts in traditional qvevris — buried clay amphorae that have been used in Georgia for 8,000 years. The 70% Mtsvane provides the backbone: bright acidity, citrus character, and aromatic freshness. The 30% Kisi adds complexity: blossomy perfume, peach and pear notes, and a silky texture that rounds the wine's edges. There is no added yeast, no enzymes, no excessive manipulation. The fermentation is natural, slow, and complete, allowing the grapes to express their full, combined character. The wine is then aged in qvevri with extended skin contact, developing its amber colour, phenolic structure, and the complex aromatics that define the style. There is no fining, no filtration, no added sulfites — just the pure expression of Mtsvane, Kisi, time, and the gentle hand of two brothers who understand that the best wines require the least intervention, but the most attention.
In the glass, it is deep amber-gold with a slight natural haze — the colour of Kakheti sunsets filtered through ancient clay. The nose offers inviting floral tones of orange blossom and white flowers, with apricot, melon rind, and marmalade emerging as the wine opens and breathes. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with medium-plus tannins that provide grip and structure without astringency, and a melange of tropical fruits and spice — mango, papaya, ginger, cardamom — that lingers on the finish with surprising persistence. It is a wine of both immediate appeal and hidden depth — the kind of wine that makes beginners fall in love with Georgian amber and keeps experts coming back for another glass.
The "Flash" is a wine of celebration and education — it pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables, spicy dishes, oily fish, or simply with good bread and the fat of Georgian cuisine as the afternoon light filters through the walnut groves of Gulgula. Serve at 12–14°C. It is meant to be enjoyed with joy and curiosity, though it will develop beautifully over 2–5 years in the cellar, gaining tertiary complexity and a deeper, more integrated texture. Every bottle is a testament to the power of two brothers' vision, the beauty of indigenous creation, and the enduring magic of wines that honour the Mtsvane, the Kisi, the Alazani Valley, and the fearless spirit of George and Tamaz Gomiashvili and Jos! Wines. ~€18–€26 / ~$20–$28 USD.
The Jos! Range
George and Tamaz Gomiashvili produce a focused portfolio of terroir-driven, natural wines from organic partner vineyards in the Alazani Valley, Kakheti, Georgia. All wines are hand-harvested, fermented with native wild yeasts, with no added sulfites and no filtration. The portfolio spans both qvevri amber wines and fresh stainless steel whites and reds, showcasing the versatility of Kakheti's indigenous varieties. Prices are approximate and in USD/EUR.
Jos! Wines is a brother-run natural wine estate in Gulgula, Kakheti, Georgia. Founded by George and Tamaz Gomiashvili. The name "Jos!" derives from "Gaumarjos!" — the Georgian toast meaning "Victory to you!" The estate focuses on terroir-driven, natural wines with lowest possible manipulation: dry farming, careful harvesting, controlled yields, precise temperature control, no added sulfites, no filtration. Works exclusively with CaucasusCert certified organic and practicing organic winegrowers. Portfolio includes qvevri amber wines (Flash Mtsvane-Kisi, Simply Khikhvi, Simply Rkatsiteli, Simply Saperavi) and fresh stainless steel whites (Simply Mtsvane). All wines hand-harvested, native yeast fermented, unfiltered, unsulfured. Featured by Mission Wines, Harvest Wine Shop, K&L Wine Merchants, and major natural wine retailers in the USA. Recognised for producing accessible, high-quality Georgian natural wines that bridge ancient tradition and modern precision. Website: jos-wines.com.