Tbilisi Wine Exchange

2026-07-18

The most famous wine exchanges in the world are:

Liv-ex⁠ — an international platform based in London, which is considered the most influential exchange for premium wines. Here, professional traders, importers and collectors buy and sell high-class wines. The platform also publishes price indices, such as the Liv-ex 100.

WineBourse⁠ — an online platform where private collectors and professionals can trade wine lots. Transactions are made using a secure payment system, and the wine is usually stored in specialized warehouses.

BBX (Berry Bros. & Rudd)⁠ — a secondary market for premium wines, where authenticated wines are traded between collectors.

It is important to note that these platforms mainly trade in physical wine (bottles or cases), and not in financial contracts, as on classic stock or commodity exchanges. The quality, origin, storage conditions and authenticity of the wine are important factors in the price.

How can a wine trading exchange be created in Georgia?

It is actually possible to create a wine trading exchange in Georgia, but for this it is necessary that it is not just a trading website, but a trust-based marketplace where the wine has a proven origin, quality and storage history.

The main elements of such an exchange can be:

1. Standardized product

● Only wine that meets certain criteria should be listed on the exchange.

● Each batch should have a unique code, analysis results and origin documents.

2. Certified storage facilities

● Wine should be stored in independent, controlled warehouses.

● When changing ownership, there should be no need to transfer bottles — only the ownership record should change.

3. Electronic trading platform

● Winemakers will post lots for sale.

● Buyers will post purchase applications.

● The system will automatically connect the buyer and seller.

4. Price indices

● To be created, for example:

• Georgian Qvevri Wine Index;

• Saperavi Index;

• Mukuzani Index;

• Rare Collectible Wines Index.

○ These indices will increase market transparency.

5. Independent operator

The exchange should preferably be managed by an independent company or association so that all participants have the same conditions.

6. Legislation

It will be necessary to determine the rules for the exchange's activities, transactions, tax issues and dispute resolution. The Securities Commission should be an independent regulator of the exchange's activities.

Georgia's advantages

Georgia has several important prerequisites:

● 8,000-year history of wine;

● Unique local varieties;

● Growing exports;

● A National Wine Agency, which already carries out quality control and export support.

What could be the first stage?

At the initial stage, it would be more practical to create a digital trading platform than a full-fledged exchange. For example, it would list only certified Georgian wines, display current prices, transaction history and demand-supply data. If such a system works successfully and sufficient liquidity accumulates, it can then be transformed into an international-level wine exchange.

For Georgia, such a project could become not only a trade infrastructure, but also a center for the formation of international prices for Georgian wine, which would significantly increase the competitiveness of the country's wine sector.

The area of ​​the "Rike Jars" would be quite sufficient for the establishment of the Tbilisi Wine Exchange. For example, on 8,620 m², the following could be freely located:

● Wine Trade Exchange;

● International Auction Hall;

● Georgian Wine Museum;

● Tasting and exhibition spaces;

● Wine Research and Certification Center;

● Administrative and IT offices;

● Conference Center.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Rike was a district of Old Tbilisi, where markets, shops, workshops, warehouses and residential buildings were located.

"Rike's Jurs" turned the Tbilisi Wine Exchange into one of the largest specialized centers in the region.

Zurab Maghradze, DBA

Sources:

● liv-ex.com ● winebourse.com ● bbr.com

● georgia.travel