Australian producers of a rare Georgian grape have united to form the ‘Australian Saperavi Association’ (ASA) in one of the nations’ first variety-specific wine groups.

Saperavi finds its origins over 8000 years ago in the cradle of winemaking in Georgia, but despite its longevity and unique qualities, the grape remains relatively unknown in Australia.

The ASA is looking to change that. The first weekend in November saw the largest ever forum of Australian Saperavi producers.

Growers and winemakers from eight wine regions gathered in McLaren Vale to form the association, taste samples of the varietals and discuss Saperavi in the Australian wine market.

Mary Hamilton, CEO of Hugh Hamilton Wines, counts the inaugural meeting as a huge success. The forum also constituted the largest survey of Australian Saperavi growing.

”Wine is a fairly collegial industry so it benefits us all to sit down and talk shop. With a grape as underrepresented as Saperavi, it really helps us as producers,” she said.

“Peak bodies have very little data on our production. We decided that we could just do it ourselves.”

The ASA’s first order of business after foundation was to host a public event.

The Saperavi Festival saw producers showcasing their Saperavi offerings to over 180 local, interstate and international visitors.

The success of the event has given the association a mandate to take the festival around the country in the future.

Also noted was the grape’s tenacity in harsh Australian conditions, with Angelo Puglisi, owner of Queensland’s Ballandean Estate, calling Saperavi “the magic grape that fixes itself”.

This is of particular relevance in an age of climate change with producers facing more intense and frequent weather systems and droughts.

The weekend left all attendees with high hopes for Saperavi in Australia. Its trademark colour, complexity and natural acidity offers wine lovers a greater element of intrigue than the standard well-known and loved reds currently on the market.

Hamilton believes the intense red wine that Saperavi produces is perfect for the Australian palate.

“When you tell people the backstory of the grape and give them a glass, they can’t believe how good Saperavi is. Now we just need to get glasses in hands,” she added.