Baia's Wine: Georgia's Trailblazing Natural Winemaker
Baia's Wine is a truly remarkable and influential winery located in the village of Meore Obcha, Bagdati, within the Imereti region of Western Georgia. The winery is led by the inspiring Baia Abuladze, who, alongside her sister Gvantsa and brother Giorgi, continues a three-generation family winemaking tradition with a modern, natural approach. Baia's passion and vision have positioned her as a leading figure in Georgia's burgeoning natural wine scene, gaining international recognition, including being featured in Forbes 30 Under 30.
The Abuladze family's vineyards are situated in the unique microclimate of Meore Obcha, which is ideal for cultivating indigenous Georgian grape varieties. Baia's Wine focuses on preserving and revitalizing these ancient varietals, particularly Tsitska, Tsolikouri, and Krakhuna, as well as Otskhanuri Sapere and Aladasturi. Their vineyards are meticulously cultivated using organic farming methods, demonstrating a deep respect for the land and its ancient heritage.
In the cellar, Baia's Wine adheres strictly to traditional Georgian winemaking practices, most notably the use of qvevri(pronounced "kev-ree") – large, beeswax-lined clay vessels buried underground. This ancient method allows for natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts and extended skin contact for both white and red wines, creating their signature amber (orange) wines, which are rich in texture and aroma. The maceration process for their Imeretian-style wines is typically shorter, using about 5-10% of grape skins during fermentation. Crucially, their wines are made with no additives, fining, or filtration, and with no added sulfur dioxide, allowing the unique characteristics of the grapes and the terroir to shine through. Baia's Wine is also pioneering the use of Cardano blockchain technology to ensure the traceability and authenticity of their wines, showcasing a blend of ancient tradition and modern innovation.
Baia's Wine is celebrated for producing authentic, vibrant, and incredibly expressive wines that embody the rich history and exciting future of Georgian winemaking. They offer a rare opportunity to taste wines crafted with an 8,000-year-old tradition, brought to life by a passionate new generation.
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Online Retailers/Importers with Broad International Reach (Excluding Switzerland):
Georgian Wine Shop (UK-based, ships within the UK and potentially some EU) - https://georgian-wine.co.uk/collections/baias-wines
Orange Wine Shop (UK-based, ships within the UK and potentially some EU) - https://orange-wine.co.uk/collections/baias-wines
Wines Online Singapore (Singapore-based, ships within Singapore) - https://winesonline.com.sg/collections/baias-wine
Baia's Wine Official Shop: While primarily for local sales, their website may offer insights into their international distribution or direct shipping capabilities to certain regions. - https://baiaswine.com/en/collections/catalogo
Notable Retailers/Distributors by Region (Excluding Switzerland):
United States:
Wine-Searcher.com: This is an excellent resource for finding retailers in the US that carry Baia's Wine. Simply search for specific wines like "Baia's Wine Tsolikouri" to see current stock. (Example result from search: The Wine House - San Francisco, CA; Dion's - Waltham/Newton, MA; Potomac Wines & Spirits - Washington D.C.; Union Square Wine & Spirits - NYC, NY).
MYSA Natural Wine (US-based online natural wine store, ships across the US) - Search for "Baia's Wine" or "Georgian Wine."
Many independent, natural wine-focused shops in major US cities (e.g., New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago). Due to demand, direct inquiry is often best.
United Kingdom:
Georgian Wine Shop (as above)
Orange Wine Shop (as above)
Specialized UK natural wine retailers.
Canada:
Grape Witches (Ontario-based, ships within Ontario/Canada) - https://grapewitches.com/search?q=baia%27s+wine (Check for current stock).
Look for natural wine importers in other Canadian provinces.