Solikouri Skin 2022 Ramaz Nikoladze

Tsolikouri Skin 2022

Philosophy in the vineyard

The Tsolikouri Skin 2022 comes from a tiny vineyard over 100 years old, still farmed today with traditional tools like picks and spades, keeping alive a peasant heritage handed down for generations. In a small plot, the grass is hand-cut to preserve the vitality of the soil. Due to high humidity, Ramaz uses only Bordeaux mixture as the sole treatment to protect the vines naturally. The harvest is done strictly by hand, carefully selecting only the best Tsolikouri grapes — a signature variety of Imereti.

Approach in the cellar

In the cellar, vinification follows Ramaz Nikoladze’s purest artisanal philosophy. The grapes are fully destemmed and fermented on their skins in qvevri lined with beeswax — a traditional practice that keeps the vessel clean while respecting the wine’s character. The skin contact lasts 3–4 months, and after malolactic fermentation the wine is racked off the skins into clean qvevri, where it rests until it is bottled in the summer following the harvest. The result is an orange wine of remarkable integrity — vibrant, raw and truly authentic.

Deep amber in colour, the wine offers aromas of dried fruit, exotic spices, wild mint and herbs. The palate is enveloping yet always fresh and distinctly saline, with a brief tannic finish.

Technical sheet

• Producer: Ramaz Nikoladze

• Vintage: 2022

• Region: Imereti

• Grape variety: 100% Tsolikouri

• Format: 0.75 l

• Country: Georgia

• Alcohol: 12%

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Ramaz Nikoladze

A family story reborn

Ramaz Nikoladze is one of the most respected names in Georgia’s artisanal winemaking scene. His winery was founded in 2007 when he decided to revive an old cellar that had historically belonged to his family. This project is not just about wine but about protecting and passing on a heritage that could have been lost. Today, Ramaz is a true reference point for those seeking the most authentic side of Georgian wine — micro-production, native grape varieties and ancient methods.

Philosophy in the vineyard

At the heart of Ramaz Nikoladze’s work is less than one hectare of vineyard, a tiny plot farmed with obsessive care. Two native varieties grow here: Tsiska and Tsolikouri, traditional grapes from the Imereti region. Vineyard management is completely manual, fully respectful of nature and free of aggressive treatments. Ramaz firmly believes that the grower’s role is to be a guardian, not a manipulator, letting the vines follow their own rhythm while absorbing the unique energy and minerality of these ancient soils.

Approach in the cellar

In the cellar, Ramaz Nikoladze works with the same coherence. Vinification is minimalist and traditional, with no shortcuts: spontaneous fermentations with only indigenous yeasts, long skin macerations and the wise use of qvevri, the buried clay vessels that have defined Georgian winemaking for millennia. No filtration, no fining: each bottle tells the story of its vintage, its vineyard and Ramaz’s guiding hand in a direct, vibrant and honest way. His wines, despite being made in tiny quantities, are sought after worldwide by lovers of orange wines and authentic traditions.