"Beqa's Wine"

“Bekas Wine”

The house where Beso Meparishvili now lives with his wife Marika Shoshashvili and their three extraordinary children belonged to his grandparents. The grandparents' yard was known for its vineyard of various Gurian grape varieties, and beneath the large walnut trees, a traditional Gurian marani (wine cellar) with pitchers was set up. Beso was very young at that time and does not remember the grape varieties his grandfather had, but he fondly recalls “Chkhaveri” and “Aladasturi.” During the “nut boom” in Guria, vineyards were massively uprooted, including those in his grandfather's yard, as the walnut trees were cut down for timber, giving way to winemaking and viticulture. His grandfather was reluctant to replace the vineyard, but his father opposed him, saying, “Vineyards require a lot of care, if you really want, we could sell the nuts and buy wine barrels instead.” After finishing high school, Beso returned to the village and met a young man named Dato Kobidze, who was eager to build a vineyard, earning him the nickname “Abdali” (a local jargon meaning stupid) among the locals, because of his seemingly unprofitable endeavor at the time. Beso was skeptical, but deep down, he too doubted Dato's venture's success. During the land reform, Beso was allocated a plot for experimental farming, which previously yielded various grape varieties. The family began cultivating the land. One day, Beso and Dato accidentally walked past this plot. Dato exclaimed in amazement, “The owner of this plot must be out of his mind to waste this soil on silica.” Beso revealed it was his, and that very evening, Dato brought 300 Chkhaveri vine cuttings. The family was in shock, taken aback by Beso’s decision. Everyone was against it: “You can’t be a winemaker and work the land.” Only the grandfather, an 80-year-old man, wholeheartedly supported Beso. The motivation was high—he had to prove to everyone that he could do it! Andro Vashalomidze also offered advice. During this time, Andro handed over Gurian vine cuttings for one of his projects, gifting Beso 1000 “Chkhaveri” and 100 “Chumuta” vine cuttings. Leading up to the vineyard's fruition took so much time, energy, and finances that Beso decided to sell the grapes, but, like a meteor from the sky, Dato Kobidze dropped in, bringing bottles, cork stoppers, and even offered barrels, promising to help with the winemaking. The Meparishvili vineyard story begins in 2013, the same year Beso's son, Beka, was born, and the wine was aptly named “Beka’s Wine.” The first wine was barreled in 2018. From 2019, “Beka’s Wine” first made its way to export in the USA, in a Georgian restaurant. Dato constantly oversaw Beso, giving him no chance for rest, and one night after a feast, slightly buzzed, they broached the topic of building a marani. By morning, a decision was made to construct Beso’s marani. The pandemic posed a serious threat to Beso's business, but again, with Dato's help, the wine was exported to the USA and Australia. Today, Beso jokes, “Fate smiled at me, guiding me along the path trodden by Dato, my mentor.”

Meparishvili’s marani is a member of the “Natural Wine Association,” producing both traditional and European technology-based red, white, and rosé “Chkhaveri,” “Tsolikouri,” and “Chumuta.” “Beka’s Wine” can be purchased on-site and online. In case of an order, the producer personally ensures delivery throughout Georgia.