The international award was established by two cultural routes of the Council of Europe – “Iter Vitis – Phoenicians route”, the aim of which is to strengthen the cultural and oenological heritage of the two countries participating in the international network, as well as the promotion of creative and sustainable tourism.

The Cultural Routes Program of the Council of Europe was established in 1987 to demonstrate the contribution of various European countries to the common cultural heritage through “travel in time and space” and to promote the diversity of modern Europe and the sustainable development of cultural tourism. 

Wine company “Shumi” was founded in 1997 in Kakheti, Tsinandali. The tourist complex is located on 9 hectares. The complex includes 38 tourist sites, including a collection vineyard, where more than 1,300 grape varieties have been preserved, including endangered varieties.