Georgia is often celebrated as the cradle of wine, with 8,000 years of uninterrupted winemaking history. Yet even within this ancient landscape, some stories remain hidden—quietly maturing in cellars until the right moment arrives. LTD Kardenakhi 7 is one such discovery.

Based in the hills of Khaketi, Georgia, the winery has safeguarded a vault of collectible fortified and dry wines, aged for decades and made with indigenous grapes. After staying out of commercial circulation for years, these bottles are now stepping into global markets—and they are already making headlines.

At the 2025 London Wine Competition, LTD Kardenakhi 7 secured titles few brands ever achieve:

• The 1987 Saamo won Best Wine of the Year by Quality (scoring a perfect 100) as well as the Best Indigenous Grape Wine of the Year.
• LTD Kardenakhi 7 themselves took home the title for Best Indigenous Grape Wine Producer of the Year.

With scores ranging from 95 to 100 across its portfolio, LTD Kardenakhi 7 is positioning itself as a brand that offers not just wine, but globally recognized collectible assets for buyers seeking exclusivity.

Tradition Meets Scientific Precision

At the center of this venture is winemaker Malkhaz Gvelukashvili, a native Georgian with a BSc and Master’s degree in Oenology and Fortified Wines. For over 20 years, Gvelukashvili has represented "Sartorius" in the Caucasus region while maintaining a lifelong dedication to traditional Kvevri winemaking—a method recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

LTD Kardenakhi 7’s vineyards span 40,000 sq/m of Rkatsiteli grapes, cultivated with precision and respect for the land. Fermentation takes place in a 140-year-old, 3550L qvevri, bringing authenticity and depth to each wine. Every bottle reflects both the meticulous control of a scientist and the soul of a traditional vintner.

The Wines: Rare, Award-Winning, Collectible

LTD Kardenakhi 7’s portfolio is small, tightly focused, and highly distinctive. Each release is a statement of rarity, heritage, and long-term value for collectors and distributors alike.

Saamo 1987 (Fortified Rkatsiteli)
Winner of London Wine Competition Gold Medal (98 points) and Best Wine of the Year by Quality (100 points). A fortified expression with unmatched balance and depth, Saamo 1987 exemplifies why Georgian fortified wines are now on the global radar.

Khikhvi 1985 (Fortified Khikhvi)
Awarded Gold Medal at LWC 2025 (96 points) and praised for elegance, layered complexity, and its rarity. A fortified wine that demonstrates the extraordinary potential of the Khikhvi grape when aged with care.

Rkatsiteli Qvevri 2019 (Dry Rkatsiteli)
A modern counterpoint to the fortified range, this wine underwent full fermentation on chacha (grape pulp) in qvevri, followed by six months in oak. Bold, structured, and authentic, it is a bridge between tradition and contemporary wine markets.

These wines are not mass-market products. Until recently, they were held in private cellars, never intended for wide release. Their entry into the market now offers importers and distributors a truly unmatched proposition.

The global wine market is filled with trends that come and go. But collectible wines—especially those with decades of history, indigenous heritage, and award-winning acclaim—offer a timeless opportunity. For importers, distributors, and fine-wine specialists, LTD Kardenakhi 7 represents one of the rarest finds in today’s trade landscape. With fortified vintages like Saamo 1987 and Khikhvi 1985 now available for release, the time to act is now.

In the words of many who have encountered these wines: they are not just bottles—they are pieces of Georgia’s living history, waiting to be shared with the world.