David Sarajishvili
GEORGIA As ascertained by the scientists, the wine history starts in Transcaucasia, in the south of Caucasian range. It is known as well that wild vine was spread mostly in Georgia, facilitated with immensely favorable soil and climate conditions existing in these areas. Supposedly, Georgia is the first among the vine potential origins as the strongest liaisons between wild vine and aborigines are observed in Georgia. It should be noted, that vine and wine are integral parts of Georgian nation s history and cultural consciousness, evidenced by frequent use of vine symbols in Georgian traditional customs and different trends of art architecture, forged arts, poetry and music. In mythos era vine was considered to be divine plant Tree of life. Wine itself was enormous and the most important initial of life for a human in Georgia. Therefore the Georgian s amazing, unprecedented approach towards wine is not surprising. It could not be otherwise as Georgia is the cradle of vine and wine and precedents of Georgians were the first who cultivated the wild vine into a cultural plant. It shall not be exaggeration to say that vine and a human were simultaneously born on a Georgian land.
THE COMPANY In 1884 David Sarajishvili set up his first wine brandy production in Georgia using the classic technology, which was the first throughout the Russian Empire. The Tbilisi factory produced the first brandy in 1887. Sarajishvili Company was rapidly growing and expanding its operations throughout the Russian Empire and Europe. An elaborate network of distilleries, warehouses and outlets was popping up in Tbilisi, Moscow, Petersburg, Yerevan, Kiev, Warsaw, Baku, Riga, Vladikavkaz, Odessa, Pheodosia, Petrovsk and Chargou. The Sarajishvili Company was selling a wide range of products like brandy, vodka, wine, liqueur, rum, absinth and other alcohol drinks. In 1889-1912 the Sarajishvili brandy was awarded with gold medals on international shows in Paris, Chicago, Brussels and several other cities. In 1913 another milestone was reached: the Sarajishvili Company was honored with the status of The Official Supplier to the Emperor s Court.
For years the Sarajishvili Company survived a lot of perils: wars, destruction, limits, and prohibition. Nevertheless the Company never ceased to evolve and to adapt. In 1954, construction of a new enterprise was completed in Tbilisi wherein the resources stored in different locations of various cities were gathered. During the Soviet era the Company s fame and products distribution area were limited to the territory within the soviet boarders. Even the name of the Company was changed and for decades it was known as Tbilisi Brandy Factory. However, development rate did not decrease. Thanks to constant strive and enormous efforts of various professionals active at different times at the company, the creation of unique spirits, the products premium quality and devotion to Sarajishvili traditions in general have been thoroughly maintained and preserved. In 1994 the company was privatized again and upon initiative of the new owner the name Sarajishvili was returned to the Company. JSC SARAJISHVILI up today maintains the culture developed by David Sarajishvili.
TECHNOLOGY Compared with Georgian vine and wine history accounting tens of thousand years, Georgian wine brandy was born a bit later in the 19th century. With its contents, roots, nobleness and originality this divine drink deeply differs from other types of spirits and is considered to be an elite and luxury product. Its origination commences from a vineyard, gets maturity and develops in an oak barrel and finally gets completed in a bottle; this process takes minimum three years and maximum centuries of times. Basically, this is a process that implies a harmony of blending of taste and esthetics together. Wine brandy is a strong alcohol drink produced out of white wine double distillation and aging in oak barrels. Wine brandy production is a sort of an art; main participants therein are soil, climate, different types of vine, specific technology and refined taste.
PRODUCT The concept of the Sarajishvili Company is based on the fusion of traditional and innovative approaches, devotion to the technologies and principles adopted by David Sarajishvili on one hand and constant aspiration towards innovation on the other. Collection masterpieces created for more than a century ago are still alive and continue to amaze wine brandy gourmets and specialists with their aroma and taste. A melody sounds in each of them that make us feel the fusion of refinement with beauty. Wine brandy is not only a general liquid or spirit. Each particular brand is distinguished with its deeply expressed individuality, age, originality, features and character. At present, the Sarajishvili Company produces over ten products all of which are fascinating, carry refined taste and are distinguished with individuality.
SARAJISHVILI 5* - Prepared using Eaux-de-vie aged in oak barrels for an average of five years, Sarajishvili Five Stars is a dark straw-coloured finely balanced brandy. On the nose, it brings together an intense and fruity character with oaky notes. On the palate, it exhibits a strong flavour of grilled almonds, supported by notes reminiscent of fresh grapes.
SARAJISHVILI VS - A fresh, harmonious brandy of a vigorous character, Sarajishvili VS is a mouth-watering blend of spirits of different ages, the oldest of which is over 10 years old. Grapes from different wine-making regions of Georgia give this exceptional light-amber coloured brandy complex aromas of wild flowers and dried fruits, impressive intensity and precision, and a lingering, sensual finish that leaves a velvety feel on the palate.
SARAJISHVILI VSOP - The natural balance of strength and smoothness creates a harmonious blend of Sarajishvili VSOP in which maturity combines with vigour. It is a mixture of premium spirits made of Georgian grapes out of which the age of the oldest exceeds 12 years. Its time spent ageing in an oak barrel infuses it with complex aromas along with notes of dried fruits and prunes, cinnamon, vanilla and sweet spices, typical of lengthy ageing. Multilayered in texture and luminous amber in tone, this is a perfectly balanced yet intense brandy.
SARAJISHVILI XO - is prepared according to classical methods from oldest wine brandy spirits preserved in the unique spirit collection of David Sarajishvili. It is a blend of more than 15 different spirits the oldest of which is over 30 years old. It is characterized by brilliant gold color, pleasant, harmonious bouquet of vanilla and chocolate, and soft, light and velvety flavor.
The creation of this drink, the idea of which was born at the beginning of the new millennium, was dedicated to the 20th century. This unique blend, made for those who value wealth created over time, has been enriched with Sarajishvili unique spirits from each decade of the previous century. This is a blend of 17 different spirits the oldest of which was distilled in 1905. The crystal carafe, hand-painted in platinum, was created by the well-known crystal producer MOSER in Czech Republic. It is located in Karlovy-Vary a spa city in the region of Bohemia long time known for its superior glassmaking traditions. For the past 150 years MOSER has become a symbol of quality in traditional glassmaking craft. MOSER s unique crystal glass products, outstanding in their classical design, brilliance and elegance are owned by many royal families, government leaders and other famous people around the world. Due to these traditions MOSER is often referred to as The Glass of Kings The King of Glass to this very day. Sarajishvili 20th Century is characterized by pleasant gold color, rich and diverse bouquet with tones of oak and vanilla, and by soft, gentle and refined flavor.
Dedicated to the 155th anniversary of the company s founder, David Sarajishvili, this unique blend was created for those who value wealth created over time. Two spirits, distilled in 1893 and in 1905 under the personal supervision of David Sarajishvili himself, give this drink its inimitable uniqueness. The blend has been further enriched by adding other premium spirits of different ages from the unique collection of Sarajishvili House. The crystal carafe, hand-painted in platinum, was created by the well-known crystal producer MOSER in Czech Republic. It is located in Karlovy-Vary a spa city in the region of Bohemia long time known for its superior glassmaking traditions. For the past 150 years MOSER has become a symbol of quality in traditional glassmaking craft. MOSER s unique crystal glass products, outstanding in their classical design, brilliance and elegance are owned by many royal families, government leaders and other famous people around the world. Due to these traditions MOSER is often referred to as The Glass of Kings The King of Glass to this very day. David Sarajishvili is characterized by pleasant gold color, rich, diverse and refined bouquet a synthesis of oak and leather tones, and by soft, light and velvety flavor.
JSC SARAJISHVILI 4 Sarajishvili Ave., 0153 Tbilisi, Georgia. Tel: +995 32 255 44 44. Fax: +995 32 265 44 44. email: info@sarajishvili.ge www.sarajishvili.com