Pheasant's Tears Poliphonia 2019

VARIETAL: Field Blend
REGION: Tibaani/Mukhrani, GE
VITICULTURE: Organic
WINEMAKER: John Wurdeman

417 heirloom varieties? Yep. This is seriously 417 unique varietals native to Georgia. Planted in an experimental vine nursery preserving ancient varietals that were almost lost forever when the Soviet Union ripped out all but a handful of the highest yielding grapes. Field blend is an understatement. WILD. 3 days on skins, 9 months Qvevri, chuck it in the fridge. No sulphur, either.

Fun fact: Georgia also has a rich musical history of polyphonic singing (arguably the earliest polyphonic tradition).

Founded in 2007 by American artist John Wurdeman and Georgian farmer Gela Patalishvili, Pheasant's Tears aims to preserve Georgia's rich winemaking heritage dating back over 8000 years. All their wine is fermented and aged in Qvevri, traditional Georgian vessels made of clay, lined with beeswax and buried in the ground.