A Woman with a Dream to Sparkle: The Awards Just Keep Coming
The Story of Kateryna Chiganova and Mtsvane Estate Georgian Sparkling Wines
The word "Mtsvane" (pronounced: Mutts-vanee) means green in Georgian. For Kateryna Chiganova, the visionary founder of Mtsvane Estate, "green" signifies the genesis of something truly extraordinary. As Kateryna eloquently put it in a recent Elle article, "Do you think it is easy to find a Georgian who believes that a Ukrainian woman can come to Georgia and create a wine that will conquer not only the most sophisticated local experts, but the whole world?ā
Indeed, that is precisely what she has accomplished with the establishment of Mtsvane Estate Georgian Sparkling Wines. Kateryna's journey is one of many compelling narratives of powerful women winemakers who are actively revolutionizing the Georgian wine industry. This is a transformation we, and Georgia itself, wholeheartedly celebrate ā a stark contrast to the troubled history of invasions, repression (where women have often paid the highest price), and tumultuous revolutions that have plagued the region.
However, Kateryna and many other strong, intelligent, and ambitious women like her are forging a different path. Their story is one of inspiring leadership, bold entrepreneurship, and remarkable success.
International Acclaim: Mtsvane Estate's Award-Winning Wines
Don't just take our word for it. In just a few short years, Mtsvane Estate wines have garnered significant international recognition, including numerous accolades in the United States and other major Western wine regions. Here's a glimpse of their achievements:
- TexSom 2025 ā The Leading US Premium Wine Competition
- Judges Selection (Platinum): Sparkling Wines ā Mtsvane Estate Pet-Nat Rose Saperavi Brut Vintage 2022 (This competition is judged by top sommeliers from around the world.
- Sommelierās Choice Awards San Francisco 2023
- Gold Medal (94 Points): Mtsvane Estate Saperavi Rose Pet-Nat Vintage 2021
- Granikās Guide to Georgian Wines ā Best Wine per Category 2024
- Best Sparkling Rose: Mtsvane Estate Saperavi Rose Pet-Nat 2022 Vintage
- Wine & Spirits Reviews 2022
- 92 Points: Mtsvane Estate Saperavi Rose Pet-Nat ā Described as "Vibrant color, with vivacious rhubarb brightness, perfect for late-summer BBQ."
- Planet Grape Wine Review ā 2022 Mtsvane Estate Saperavi Brut Rose Pet-Nat (Georgia)
- Noted for its "Softly sweet and sparkling Saperavi with notes of watermelon, orange marmalade, violet and white mushroom."
- Further Accolades:
- Recognized as The Best Small Winery by "Welcome To Georgia Tourism Awards" 2021
- Received the Sommelier's Choice Award for PĆ©t-Nat Mtsvane at Wine Expo Georgia 2022
- Two wines included in the TOP 5 best wines of Georgia according to the Georgian Wine Guild 2022
- Mtsvane Estate Tsolikauri-Tsitska 2021 received Silver in 2023 from IWSC
- Mtsvane Estate Chinuri-Goruli Mtsvane 2022 received a Gold Medal at the London Newspaper Awards 2023
The Art of PĆ©t-Nat: Natural Sparkling Perfection
Mtsvane Estate specializes in crafting sparkling wines, commonly known as PĆ©t-Nats around the world, including in Georgia. The name PĆ©tillant Naturel, shortened to PĆ©t-Nat, originates from French words meaning "sparkling natural." This distinctive style is a natural sparkling wine achieved through a single, continuous fermentation in the bottle. Unlike classic sparkling wines, no additional sugar or other ingredients are introduced.
Beyond the specific wine awards, Mtsvane Estate has received broader recognition for its excellence. In 2021, the winery was honored with the highest award for "Best Small Winery" by the Welcome To Georgia Tourism Awards. The following year, their PĆ©t-Nat Mtsvane earned the Sommelier's Choice Award at Wine Expo Georgia. And in 2023, Kateryna herself was bestowed with the "Oscar of Winemakers" ā a gold medal at the prestigious London Newspaper Awards competition.
This remarkable reception for a Ukrainian winemaker in the historically less-known country of Georgia might seem significant, but it truly marks only the beginning of the international recognition and awards that Kateryna's exceptional PĆ©t-Nats are achieving.
Our First Encounter: Energy, Passion, and Unforgettable Wines
When we first encountered Kateryna at her charming wine bar, St. Bunny, in central Tbilisi, her boundless energy immediately struck me. She was a true multi-tasker ā perhaps fueled by her own PĆ©t-Nats! Our meeting unfolded amidst a lively scene: she discussed her wines and her philosophy on exclusively producing sparkling wines, all while greeting customers lining up for Sunday post-mass wine tasting, meticulously managing her staff to ensure high standards of customer service, and even tending to her young sons. My immediate assessment from that first meeting was clear: We had to import her wines!
Kateryna Chiganova at her St. Bunny Natural Wine CafƩ, Tbilisi, Georgia
As we savored her exquisite PĆ©t-Nats ā including sublime blends of Mtsvane-Rkatsiteli, Tsolikouri-Tsitska, Chinuri-Goruli Mtsvane, and (oh my goodness!) Saperavi Rose ā perfectly paired with delightful Georgian small plates of salads, light cheeses, and what might just be THE BEST BREAD IN THE WORLD, our minds raced to keep up, even as we tried to assist with the toddlers who, charmingly, spoke perfect English.
That transformative meeting took place over three years ago, and since then, we have cultivated an amazing partnership and friendship with Kateryna. We are incredibly proud to be her friend and her partner in bringing her remarkable wines to the USA. This is not merely a story of one person's success; it's a much larger narrative about a region of the world often misunderstood by the West, particularly by the USA. It is our mission to share this story. Kateryna embodies a powerful example of a person driven by ambition, a dedicated mother, and an intelligent entrepreneur who never takes for granted "the love that this life gives you," because she intimately understands that the world is not always kind.