Marina is Iago's wife, and she makes her own wine. Separately sourced, separately fermented, from her own vision of what Georgian amber wine should be.
Marina Kurtanidze, together with Tea Melanashvili, founded the first female-run Georgian winery in 2012. Under the name Mandili, they began producing natural wines using the traditional qvevri method and gained international recognition. Later, Marina joined her husband, Iago Bitarishvili, another pioneer of natural winemaking in Georgia. They adhere strictly to local traditions and avoid modern winemaking techniques.
The Marina is 100% Kakhuri Mtsvane from the vineyards of Manavi in Kakheti, with seven months of skin and stem maceration in qvevri.
How does Marina by Iago's Wine taste?
Unlike the other Iago's wines we have on offer, expect a more recognisable amber in the glass. The nose opens with honeyed apricot and peach, then shifts into wild herbs like mint and eucalyptus and a delicate hint of black tea.
Further complexity comes with notes of Malt, Rye Bread and Aniseed. The palate is full and beautifully balanced, offering good structure, soft tannins and fresh acidity. The finish is long and aromatic, and a carafe rewards everything further
About Marina Bitarishvili — Iago's Wine
Marina works from the same small cellar as Iago in Chardakhi, but the Marina wine is entirely her own project. Different grape, different source village, different expression — same commitment to qvevri and zero intervention. A rare example of two producers sharing a cellar but making genuinely distinct wines.
What is Kakhuri Mtsvane?
Kakhuri Mtsvane is the Kakheti-region strain of the Mtsvane variety — one of Georgia's most prized white grapes, producing wines of notable aromatic richness and textural depth. With seven months of skin contact, it develops the amber colour and structure of a serious orange wine, while retaining the fresh acidity that makes Georgian whites so distinctive.
