Hello,

I am Zurab Maisashvili, a production manager by profession and a passionate entrepreneur dedicated to my work.  I take great pride in introducing you to "Gvinuka," a brand crafted from a rare variety of grapes discovered in the magnificent Racha mountains.

Allow me to share my story with you and emphasise the abundant opportunities available for any citizen, regardless of their location within our country. With the support of the European Union, Sweden, and Austria, there are wide opportunities for developing such activities. I can confidently say this, drawing from my personal experiences.

Five years ago, I made the decision to revive wine production and the cultivation of rare grape vineyards in Racha—an endeavour initiated by my ancestors but gradually forgotten over time. Though faced with numerous challenges along the way, deep down, I sincerely believed that this matter would be successful.

I consider myself fortunate to have come across valuable information back in 2019 that explained in detail how the three donors - European Union, Sweden, and Austria. Their collective aim was to foster the growth of the organic agriculture sector, specifically in highland regions like Racha, by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises associated with this field. After studying the information carefully, I knew I had to participate in the grant competition.

With the donor's support, I have all the necessary equipment, such as stainless steel tanks, processing machines, wine bottling machines, filters, and more. The addition of this equipment has increased our production capacity four times.

You might be wondering, how exactly did the production increase four times?..

I will tell you that if previously I was producing one type of wine, I am now producing four types, and the quantity has also doubled. Moreover, our brand "Gvinuka" currently stands on par with international trends, and it can be said that with the support of donors, it is on track to obtain a bio certificate this year.

To be honest, I initially believed that my professional knowledge and experience were sufficient for my current business stage. My perspective changed when I had the opportunity to participate in organic winemaking training sessions, organised free of charge by the same donors. There I realised I had the best start and opportunity to develop my activities with their assistance. I take great satisfaction in measuring the results, and recently, I conducted a thorough calculation that revealed my production volume before receiving assistance was 3000 bottles. While this seemed substantial at the time, I was pleasantly surprised to witness the actual outcome increase to 15,000 bottles.

Reflecting on my journey, I feel compelled to share my experiences with others so that they can make the most of these opportunities. I firmly believe that any idea or ongoing task can succeed with determination, willingness, and effort.

From my present point, I envision this business expanding even further by acquiring a bio certificate. I clearly envision it establishing itself as a premium quality brand with confidence.

I sincerely wish that those who have encountered setbacks along their entrepreneurial paths or contemplated giving up due to obstacles will not be deterred. Instead, I encourage them to continue and embrace new possibilities.

For those interested in the "Gvinuka" winery or any other matters, whether it be shared experiences or potential business collaborations, we can always be reached in the social space through our platform - ღვინუკა • Gvinuka

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With the support of the European Union, Sweden and Austria, 68 small and medium-sized entrepreneurs in the highland region of Georgia have received substantial assistance for their business development.

Take advantage of the upcoming success stories, where incredibly fascinating people will share their experiences with us.

Project GRETA | "Green Economy: Sustainable Mountain Tourism and Organic Agriculture" is implemented by the Austria Development Agency in Georgia with the support of the European Union, Austria, and Sweden. The project aims to facilitate improving the business environment and creating new income opportunities in two important sectors of the Georgian economy, mountain tourism and organic agriculture.

This material has been produced with the assistance of the European Union, Sweden, and Austria, within the framework of the GRETA project.  Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Austrian Development Agency /GRETA Project and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union, Sweden, or Austria.

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