The Natural Wine Association of Georgia is delighted to present the Zero Compromise Natural Wine Festival—a two-day celebration that leaves no stone unturned in the pursuit of quality, authenticity, and sustainability in natural wine production. This unique event brings together an international roster of experts whose voices reflect a deep commitment to traditional practices, innovative techniques, and the unwavering spirit of natural winemaking. From exploring ancient Georgian traditions to global insights on agave spirits and sake, the festival promises an immersive encounter for any wine enthusiast.

A Lineup of Visionaries and Tastemakers

Niki Nakazawa

Blending an artistry that spans continents, Niki Nakazawa is the Oaxaca and Mexico City-based co-owner of the agave spirits brand NETA, and the charismatic host of The Nectar Corridor podcast. With a career spanning creative collaborations across music, film, art, and culinary ventures, Niki has elevated the story of mezcal through innovative master classes and transformative experiences. Her extensive background — featured in projects with the Noma pop-up in Mexico and Netflix shows such as Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat and Street Food—cements her status as a true connoisseur of artisanal beverages. Kickstarting the festival on May 2, Niki will lead a Mezcal Master Class that traverses the rich history, production nuances, and vibrant culture behind mezcal.

Aaron Ayscough

Based in the heart of Burgundy, Aaron Ayscough is an American wine writer whose intimate knowledge of natural wine culture radiates through every piece he pens. As the author of The World of Natural Wine (Artisan Books, 2022) and the creator of the celebrated blog and newsletter Not Drinking Poison, Aaron has been instrumental in demystifying the natural wine movement since 2010. His diverse background — from sommelier stints in the United States and France to hands-on work at wine estates in Beaujolais and the Languedoc — equips him with a unique perspective that beautifully bridges the old world with new wave natural wine thinking. At the festival, Aaron will captivate the audience with his presentation “A New Vision of the Past,” where he delves into how traditional Georgian winemaking has become a lodestone for the global natural wine culture, redefining the future of natural winemaking amid evolving global trade dynamics.

Alice Feiring

Alice Feiring is a multi‐award‐winning wine writer whose career reads like a master class in natural wine advocacy. Honored with a James Beard award for wine journalism, her incisive essays on wine, life, and culture have appeared in foremost publications such as The New York Times, New York Magazine, Time, AFAR, and World of Fine Wine. A regular contributor to the cherished zine Noble Rot, she’s even earned the moniker “The Queen of Natural Wine” from Jancis Robinson herself. With six thought‐provoking books—including her wine writer’s memoir, To Fall in Love Drink This—Alice has both chronicled and championed the natural wine movement through works like Natural Wine for the People, Dirty Guide to Wine, For the Love of Wine, Naked Wine: Letting Grapes Do What Comes Naturally, and her daring debut The Battle for Wine & Love or How I Saved the World from Parkerization. Recently decorated with France’s Ordre du Mérite Agricole and freshly returned from a creative residency at Maison Dora Maar in Provence, she now crafts her influential narratives from a vintage New York walkup (complete with a kitchen tub that doubles as a writing nook for her Substack, The Feiring Line). Her passionate journey and authentic storytelling promise to deliver a captivating session at the Zero Compromise natural wine festival in Tbilisi.

Elisabetta Foradori

For those passionate about heritage, sustainability, and the subtle art of viticulture, the story of Elisabetta Forradori is one of dedication and renewal. Born in 1965 in the Dolomites near the Austrian border, Elisabetta has continuously nurtured her family’s farming traditions by championing the recovery and biodiversity of local grape varieties such as Teroldego and Nosiola. With a lifelong commitment to a circular economy and collaborative agricultural practices, her approach celebrates the land’s natural variability and cultural legacy. Her insights will enrich two key sessions — participating in the panel on “Mountain Wines and Viticulture, Expression and Traditions” moderated by John Wurdeman, and rejoining a later discussion on quality in natural wine.

Dick Stegewerns

Dick Stegewerns stands at the dynamic crossroads of natural wine and pure sake culture. As the co-founder, selector, and educator behind Yoigokochi Sake Importers—the world’s first sake import company devoted exclusively to junmaishu (100% pure sake without additives)—Dick has spent his career redefining the way we experience artisanal beverages. Born in the Netherlands and deeply influenced by his time in Kyoto, Japan, his academic specialization in modern Japanese history lends a rich contextual framework to his lifelong mission: to introduce pure, unadulterated sake to new audiences well beyond the usual Japanese restaurant setting. Dick’s pioneering efforts have been instrumental in bridging the gap between the sake world and natural wine circles. Whether through global natural wine fairs or through intimate lectures, seminars, and tastings across Europe and North America, he has tirelessly linked sake’s robust flavors with fine dining and natural wine aesthetics. His entrepreneurial spirit led to the founding of Zuiver Wijnen in 2013—a key importer of natural wines in the Netherlands and the foremost Dutch conduit for Georgian natural wines. With a compelling blend of academic insight and hands-on experience, Dick’s presentation at the festival is expected to be both enlightening and transformative, inviting audiences to explore the exciting synthesis of tradition, innovation, and uncompromised quality.

Mike Bennie

A revered name in the world of wine and drinks journalism, Mike Bennie brings a lifetime of exploration and keen storytelling to the festival. When he isn’t trekking the vineyards across every corner of the globe, Mike is immersed in writing and curating the most compelling narratives about natural wine. Known nationally as one of Australia’s premier drinks writers —and an authority on natural wine — he has guided countless readers through his work with leading food and wine publications such as delicious. magazine, WineFront.com.au, and the James Halliday Wine Companion. His hands-on experience as a co-founder of P&V Wine + Liquor Merchants and his role as drinks director for the WA Good Food Guide ensure that his perspective is both richly informed and refreshingly innovative. Later in the festival, Mike will spearhead an engaging panel discussion on “What is Quality in Natural Wine?” alongside renowned guests including Alice Bouvot, Elisabetta Forradori, Tom Lubbe, Iago Bitarishvili, and Mads Kleppe.

Festival Schedule at a Glance

May 2

11:00–12:15 Mezcal Master Class Speaker: Niki Nakazawa (Neta) Delve into the storied past and crafting secrets behind mezcal in this immersive session.

1:00–2:30 A New Vision of the Past Speaker: Aaron Ayscough Explore why traditional Georgian winemaking has become a lodestone for the global natural wine movement—and what it means for the future in an era defined by trade dynamics.

3:00–4:30 Panel Discussion: “Second Guessing Nature – What the Hell is a Vigneron to Do?” Moderator: Alice Feiring Engage with top vignerons including Tom Lubbe, Christian Tschida, Merab Mirtskhulava, and Oriol  Artigas, as they share innovative techniques and daring experiments in natural wine production.

May 3

11:00–12:30 Discussion: “Mountain Wines and Viticulture, Expression and Traditions” Moderator: John Wurdeman Join a thoughtful dialogue with Elisabetta Forradori, John Oqruashvili, and Eric Narioo as they discuss the unique challenges and treasures of mountain viticulture.

1:00–2:15 Sake Master Class Speaker: Dick Stegewerns (Yoigokochi) Discover the intricate history and meticulous craft behind sake, guided by an expert dedicated to preserving this age-old tradition.

3:00–4:30 Panel Discussion: “What is Quality in Natural Wine” Moderator: Mike Bennie With insights from Alice Bouvot, Elisabetta Foradori, Tom Lubbe, Iago Bitarishvili, and Mads Kleppe, this session will probe the very essence of quality in natural winemaking, inviting debate and fresh perspectives.

A Festival with No Compromises

At its core, the Zero Compromise Natural Wine Festival is more than just a series of talks and tastings — it is a forum where diverse traditions and modern innovations converge. Each speaker, from internationally renowned critics and writers to hands-on vintners and master class experts, brings a distinctive voice that encapsulates the passion for both terroir and technique. This is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of natural wine, connect with a vibrant community, and be inspired by the intersections of culture, history, and art that make natural wine a global phenomenon.

We invite you to join us for these two days of rigorous exploration and spirited conversation — a celebration where every aspect of natural wine is honored without compromise.