If you’re into unique natural wines but don’t want them too funky, the Klein Amoskuil QVEVRI line will be your new best friend. I’ve also got a free shipping promo on these beauties.

Pronounced ‘kwevh-ree’, Qvevri are clay vessels that originated in the country of Georgia and are the oldest winemaking vessels on earth. They make some of the most fascinating red and orange wine and used in the Klein Amoskuil QVEVRI wines below.

Qvevri are made from clay, without handles, and are buried in the ground. The interior is coated with beeswax, making them waterproof. With proper care, they can last centuries! Unlike amphorae, which are more portable, qvevri are meant for stationary fermentation and aging. The earth around the qvevri moderates temperature during fermentation and aging. It also aids in maintaining the structural integrity of the clay pots from the pressure that builds up during fermentation.

During fermentation, grapes, stems, and seeds are added to and crushed inside the Qvevri. Native yeast on the skins activates, and a natural fermentation begins, lasting several weeks.

Klein Amoskuil regularly punches down the cap to ensure proper maceration. Think of this like steeping a bag of tea, where the more you dunk the bag, the more extraction you get. After about 4 weeks for their ‘white’ (amber-color, really) and 6 months (!!!) for their red, the skins, seeds, and stems are removed.

Aging on lees follows, resulting in uniquely amber-colored whites and beautifully deeply colored, structured reds.