The Makaridze family has a long history of viticulture in Terjola, in Imereti region. Grapes had always been cultivated by the family, mainly to sell as cuttings, while wine was made only for home consumption. At the age of 23, Gogita realized that his dream was to continue this family tradition. He quit his job in the financial department of the local town hall and invested everything he had in planting one hectare of Otskhanuri Sapere. He also renovated and expanded the family cellar, adding more qvevris. Gogita was part of the generation of Georgian winemakers who helped shape the natural wine movement at a time when “natural wine” was not yet a recognized concept or movement in Georgia. For these winemakers, working sustainably and in harmony with the vineyard was more than a winemaking philosophy, but rather a conscious departure from the post-Soviet approach to viticulture and winemaking, which had become increasingly focused on quantity, standardization, and homogenization. They chose instead to return to traditional methods, local grape varieties, healthy soils, and wines that reflected their place of origin. Makaridze Winery remains committed to creating a connection between the vineyard and its surrounding environment, producing natural wines that express the authenticity of the soil, the character of Imeretian grapes, and the winemaking traditions passed down through generations.