The Natural Wine Association has admitted two new members: Giorgi Chekurishvili's Marani and Petra LLC. The decision was made on the basis of the candidates' inspection results and their compliance with the Association's current requirements.

Since 2024, admission to the Natural Wine Association has been based on the results of a two-year inspection process.

In 2025, five wineries applied for membership in the Association. A review of the submitted documentation revealed that three candidates did not meet the Association's requirements. Two candidates proceeded through the two-year inspection process, and ultimately only one of them, Giorgi Chekurishvili's Marani, was admitted to the Association.

Giorgi Chekurishvili's vineyards and winery are located in the village of Shashiani, in the Gurjaani Municipality, within the Mukuzani microzone. Natural wine enthusiasts are already familiar with the winery's wines, particularly its Saperavi. It is also worth noting that members of the Association had collaborated with Giorgi Chekurishvili for many years, purchasing grapes from him, and his vineyards were inspected by the Association during that period as well.

Giorgi Chekurishvili's Marani applied for membership in the Association in 2025 and completed the two-year inspection process required for admission. Over the course of two years, inspection visits were conducted at the candidate's vineyards and winery to verify whether vineyard management and winemaking practices complied with the Association's standards.

Another new member of the Association is Petra LLC. Its vineyard is located in the village of Giorgitsminda, Sagarejo Municipality, on the Iori Plateau, in the area known as Udabno. The vineyard covers a total of 7 hectares and is planted with Rkatsiteli, Chinuri, Cabernet, Pinot, and Tavkveri. The grapes are harvested separately according to variety.

Petra has previous experience with organic certification of its vineyards and grapes. During the 2026 inspection, the inspection team evaluated both the vineyard and the winery. One of the key issues in the membership process concerned the production of wine in the candidate's own winery. The candidate confirmed that the 2026 harvest would be processed at its own winery in Tbilisi.

The Natural Wine Association carries out inspections of membership candidates in accordance with its established procedures. As a rule, the process lasts two years, during which vineyard management practices, winery operations, winemaking methods, materials and inputs used in production, and the traceability of raw materials are assessed. For certified organic winegrowers, however, membership may also be considered after a one-year inspection period.