RETRO
SPECTIVE
Last year, WINECAST welcomed up to 1,000 guests — film and wine professionals, cultural figures, diplomats, and industry leaders from the USA, Ukraine, Spain, Norway, Mexico, and the Netherlands — at the Radisson Tsinandali Estate. With over 50 partners including the U.S. Embassy, National Wine Agency, Department of State, Wissol Group, Mazda, Euronews, and more, the focus country was the United States, featuring Oscar-winning guests and educational sessions. Major media like Variety, Wine Enthusiast, and Napa Valley Wine Journal covered the event.
Wine tastings, guest voting to select the festival’s best wine, sommelier awards for the best wine, masterclasses, and a traditional grape-crushing ceremony.
A Georgian wine exhibition featuring 30 local wineries.
An American wine showcase presenting wines from the USA’s leading wine regions.
A wine and cheese pairing masterclass, held in collaboration with Georgian artisan cheese producers and sommeliers, with the support of the USDA.
A Ukrainian wine section, organized to support Ukraine.
WINE
Screenings and premieres of competition films, a retrospective of cinema classics, a project development workshop, pitch sessions, panel discussions, and industry networking meetings.
Script Development Workshop (AFS – American Film Showcase)
Tutor: Oscar-winning director Laura Nix
Masterclass: “Funding Opportunities through American Film Funds”
Tutor: Ebi San — Director of Artistic Programs, International Documentary Association (IDA)
Panel Discussion: “Georgian Documentary Cinema on the International Stage”
Speaker: Salome Jashi — DOCA · Documentary Association – Georgia
Section: “Solidarity with Ukraine”
Premiere of the film “Wounded Land”, followed by a discussion and Q&A session.
FILM
In 2024, WineCast created rare opportunities for Georgia’s creative community through groundbreaking international collaborations.
Highlights included Georgia’s first-ever Script and Story Development Workshop with the American Film Showcase, an inspiring masterclass from Abby Sun of the International Documentary Association, and exclusive wine sessions led by U.S. Master Sommeliers Jesse Baker and Jason Heller, who introduced Georgian professionals to U.S. wines and market strategies.
Local sommeliers also showcased Georgia’s rich food and wine traditions — all reflecting WineCast’s mission to connect Georgia with global expertise.
