March’s Founder’s Club selection takes us somewhere most wine lists never go — the ancient hills of western Georgia. Baia’s Wine Krakhuna Blend is a living example of what wine looked like thousands of years before French oak and stainless steel tanks entered the picture, yet it drinks with a freshness and complexity that feels completely of the moment.
This amber-hued wine is crafted by Baia Abuladze, a young Georgian winemaker working out of the Imereti region with her sister and brother. Together they focus on rare indigenous varieties and traditional methods — the kind of winery that earns a cult following quietly, one bottle at a time.
The blend is a classic Imeretian trifecta: 60% Tsolikouri, 20% Tsitska, and 20% Krakhuna — three white grape varieties that have been grown in this region for millennia. After harvest, the grapes are fermented together in tchuri, the local version of the qvevri — clay amphorae sealed with a layer of clay rather than buried underground. The wine spends about a month on the skins before being racked into a clean vessel for several more months of aging. No commercial yeast. Very low sulfites. Unfiltered.
In the glass, the wine pours a warm golden amber. On the nose, expect persimmon, dried apricot, and citrus zest, with hints of wildflower honey and a savory herbal undercurrent. On the palate, Krakhuna brings a creamy, velvety texture; Tsitska adds brightness and freshness; and Tsolikouri ties it all together with a clean, balanced finish accented by soft tannins. It is full-bodied and dry, with a long, satisfying finish that rewards a slow pour and good conversation.
This is an ideal wine to pair with roasted chicken, braised pork, grilled vegetables, or soft cheeses. It holds its own alongside bold, savory dishes in a way many white wines simply cannot.
All active club members can purchase this for 50% off the “enjoy here” price, which is a substantial savings.
*If there is not sufficient wine in stock at the time of your order, it will be ordered and available for you as soon as possible.