Rkatsiteli. A wine as mysterious as its pronunciation. What is it? Where did it come from? Am I saying it right? And where can I get some? While it’s not an option gracing many tasting room menus (yet), for those who discover its secrets, this ancient grape offers a truly unique and aromatic experience. Let’s take a closer look at the deep-rooted history and exotic allure of Rkatsiteli.

The dictionary pronunciation is rəˌkɑːtsɪˈtɛli, which is something like reh-KATS-sih-tellee. The “r” is pronounced, but only lightly. The name translates to “red stem,” a reference to the color of the stalks at harvest time.

While it’s uncommon in our corner of the globe, Rkatsiteli is actually one of the oldest grape varieties, and the oldest that is still cultivated today. Seeds have been found in clay vessels in the country of Georgia, its ancestral home, dating back to 3000 BC. It’s still present – and very popular – in every wine region in modern-day Georgia. It’s also found across Eastern Europe, with a small representation in locations like Australia and the Eastern US.

M Cellars is proud to be the first commercial producer of Rkatsiteli in the Grand River Valley region, although we can’t take the credit for bringing it here. Giancarlo Calicchia, who owns one of our farming sites, sourced the vines years ago from one of the most prestigious viticulturists in the Finger Lakes, Dr. Konstantin Frank.

The vines themselves are unique, growing almost straight up, reaching for the sun. The fruit is cold-resistant, making it ideal for our terroir. The oblong berries age into a gorgeous golden color. We harvest them late in the fall, usually near the end of October. Because it’s naturally high in acid, we want to capture the ripest possible fruit.

The resulting wine boasts a completely distinct character. It’s aromatic, bright, and fruit-forward with a hint of spice, and a fuller body than many white wines. With a glass in hand, it’s easy to drift away to thoughts of Mediterranean summers long past. It also pairs superbly with spicy exotic dishes.

Ready to experience Rkatsiteli for yourself? As of this post, we have a small amount of last year’s vintage remaining in stock. We’ll also have a new batch ready this upcoming season. Stop in to our tasting room or shop in our online store. We can ship Rkatsiteli – and all of our wine – to 40 states.