From the prestigious halls of UC Davis to Sacramento’s legendary Firehouse Restaurant, our oenologist Salome Salakaia and her sister Barbare Salakaia recently represented Georgian wine culture on the international stage during a visit to Northern California.

At UC Davis, one of the world’s leading universities in viticulture and enology, Salome and Barbare took part in a series of meetings held as part of the Distinguished Kosuna Lecture, hosted by renowned Japanese philanthropist Kosuna. They were also honored guests on an exclusive wine tour in Sonoma, where they met with leading Californian winemakers and shared insights into wine production, traditions, and innovation.

One of the main topics discussed during the UC Davis event was the future potential of grape varieties. Dr. Harold Schmitz, who is currently leading advanced research in this field, expressed an interest in Georgian native grapes.

The most memorable highlight of the week came later with a private dinner at Sacramento’s iconic Firehouse Restaurant, home to the largest wine collection of any restaurant in California. The evening was hosted by the legendary sommelier and co-owner Mario Ortiz. Salome and Barbare presented Badagoni wines, including the distinguished Alaverdi Traditions. The wines' elegance, depth, and unique flavor profile deeply impressed both Mario Ortiz and Kosuna, earning sincere praise and admiration.