Khikhvi 2023 Pheasant’s Tears

Khikhvi 2023

Philosophy in the vineyard

Khikhvi 2023 represents one of Georgia’s oldest and most intriguing white varieties. The vineyard is managed with traditional, sustainable methods, focusing on biodiversity and the integrity of the land. The grapes are hand-picked, selecting only the ripest clusters of this early-ripening variety, which develops a rich aromatic profile and naturally soft acidity. The goal is to capture the purest fruit, delivering a wine that is both expressive and accessible to every wine lover.

Approach in the cellar

In the cellar, Khikhvi 2023 stays true to the ancestral philosophy of Pheasant’s Tears. The grapes are 100% destemmed, and spontaneous fermentation begins together with a long skin maceration in buried qvevri, where the wine stays for 6–7 months to build texture and depth. After maceration, the wine remains for another 7 months in the same qvevri before being bottled unfiltered and unfined, preserving its raw authenticity.

In the glass, it shows an intense amber yellow. On the nose, you’ll find ripe fruit, earthy notes, walnuts and sultanas. On the palate, it is soft and long, with a beautifully velvety texture that invites you back for another sip.

Technical sheet

• Producer: Pheasant’s Tears

• Vintage: 2023

• Region: Georgia

• Grape variety: 100% Khikhvi

• Harvest: Hand-picked

• Vinification: Spontaneous fermentation with 6–7 months skin contact in qvevri

• Ageing: 7 more months in qvevri

• Clarification/filtration: None

• Format: 0.75 l

• Alcohol: —

• Country: Georgia

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Pheasant’s Tears

A story of art, culture and wine

Pheasant’s Tears was born in the heart of Georgia thanks to the vision of John Wurdeman, an American painter who, from an early age, was captivated by the deep soul of this ancient land. During a journey through villages and monasteries, John met Gela Patalishvili, a farmer and winemaker, guardian of Georgia’s rural traditions. Their friendship gave birth to a project that intertwines art, music and viticulture, with the goal of reviving a heritage of more than 400 native grape varieties and the age-old rituals of Georgian winemaking.

Philosophy in the vineyard

In the vineyards of Pheasant’s Tears, every vine is treated as part of a living ecosystem. There are no chemicals or shortcuts here: the work follows the rhythms of nature, respecting biodiversity and rediscovering ancient farming techniques. Harvesting is done strictly by hand, and each plot is cared for to enhance the unique character of each terroir, preserving the deep bond between the vine, the land and the rural community.

Approach in the cellar

In the cellar, John and Gela continue a tradition unique in the world: vinification in Qvevri, large buried clay vessels, a cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO. Here the grapes ferment with skins and native yeasts, without filtration or corrective interventions, to create sincere, textured wines that tell stories of stone, wind and memory. This artisanal approach and attention to detail make Pheasant’s Tears an authentic voice in the world of natural wines, a bridge between Georgia’s winemaking past and future.