Ghvino Forum 2026, March 11 – 12
March 11 @ 12:30 pm - March 12 @ 9:00 pm
Ninth Ghvino Forum
Bringing Together the Science and Business of Wine
The Ghvino Forum celebrates 8,000 years of living wine culture in Georgia—where the origins of wine, the uninterrupted qvevri winemaking tradition, and unique varietal distinctiveness have evolved into the elegance of modern-day winemaking. “Ghvino,” “ღvino,” or “ღვინო” is the Georgian word for “wine” and is widely believed to be the origin of the term itself.
The Ghvino Forum was initiated in 2018 by the America–Georgia Business Council to advance understanding of the origins of vine and wine culture and to explore the intersection of history, geography, economics, and the business of wine in Georgia and beyond.
“The interconnected natural and cultural development in Georgia produced unique achievements, including, among others, the domestication of wild grape varietals and the production of the first wines in human history,” says Professor David Lordkipanidze, Head of the National Museum of Georgia and co-author of the publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences presenting archaeological evidence of Georgia’s 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition.
The lead author of that article was the late Professor Patrick McGovern of the University of Pennsylvania Museum (Penn Museum). Professor McGovern passed away last year, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of scientific research and publications. His role in demonstrating the 8,000-year history of Georgian winemaking is difficult to overestimate.
“The 9th Ghvino Forum will take place on March 11–12 in Philadelphia, PA. In addition to an industry wine seminar and consumer tasting events, the centerpiece of Ghvino Forum 2026 will be a conference at the Penn Museum on March 12. At the conference, we will celebrate the life and legacy of the world’s most prominent wine and alcohol historian and scientist, a great friend of Georgia, Professor Patrick McGovern. Friends and colleagues will remember him and discuss his scientific achievements, including his contribution to shaping the story of the origin of wine,” says Mamuka Tsereteli, Founder of the Ghvino Forum and President of the America–Georgia Business Council.
In addition, the Ghvino Forum will traditionally address the development of the Georgian wine industry, its varietal diversity, and its unique winemaking methods. Georgian amber wines—produced from white grape varietals in clay vessels called qvevri, with extended skin contact during and after fermentation—are contributing to the formation of a new wine category in the U.S. market: amber wines.
Ghvino Forum 2026 Activities Include
👉 Seminar and tasting for the trade and media representatives
Where: Rex at the Royal, 1524 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
When: March 11, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Registration: Eventbrite Link
👉 Dinner for conference speakers and invited guests (By invitation only!)
Where: Restaurant Sakartvelo, 705 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
When: March 11, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Conference
👉 History, Geography, Economy, and Politics of Wines in Georgia and Beyond
Celebrating Life and Legacy of Professor Patrick McGovern
Where: Widener Lecture Hall, Penn Museum, 3260 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
When: March 12, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Registration: Please register here
👉 Many Colors of Georgian Wines: White, Amber, Red and Black
Georgian Food and Wine Festival
Where: Restaurant Kinto, 1144 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
When: March 12, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Registration: Please register here