AZGRANATA MMC

About the distillery

AZGRANATA is located in the Ağsu region and is a major Azerbaijani producer of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Here, wine, vodka, cognac, and whisky come together at a facility spanning 14 hectares, while vineyards and pomegranate orchards stretch across the Shamakhi- and Ağsu-area. For whisky lovers, it is particularly interesting that the house works with a classic blended whisky, Rodeo, as well as the named Visky Qırmızı and Visky Göy.

History

AZGRANATA was established in 2011 and quickly grew into one of the largest producers of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in the South Caucasus. The plant in Ağsu covers 14 hectares and is equipped with modern facilities from, among others, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Bulgaria, and France. At the same time, the company began establishing vineyards as early as 2006 on the Adnali plateau in the Shamakhi region at an elevation of 600–700 meters. Here, both table grapes and technical varieties are grown, such as Madrasa, Saperavi, Rkasiteli, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Shiraz, Glera, and Chardonnay. The same year, pomegranate orchards were also established in Ağsu, which today cover around 350 hectares and contain several local varieties. The company describes itself as a producer that combines modern technology with centuries-old Azerbaijani wine traditions, and on the site there is both a tasting room and a small wine museum with old exhibits, vintage wines, and books about wine production.

Raw materials and production

Production is built on two clear tracks: grape-based alcoholic drinks and a large non-alcoholic processing line. On the alcoholic side, a receiving and pre-treatment line for grapes is described, as well as a distillation unit, and sections for preparation, aging, and storage and filtration for wine and other alcoholic drinks. The wine filtration line can handle 6,000 bottles per hour, and the line for spirits 4,000 bottles per hour. On the non-alcoholic side, the facility is set up for fruit reception, processing, tetrapak filling, bottle filling, and compote production. There are also sections for sorting, blending, syrup, pasteurization, homogenization, aseptic storage, and water treatment. Under the laboratory’s control, products are tested for chemical and microbiological quality as well as taste, aroma, and appearance. For pomegranate seeds, special drying and packaging facilities are used, and the finished goods are exported to several countries for use in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations.

Maturation and cask types

AZGRANATA states that whisky is matured in old oak cognac casks for at least five years. This gives Rodeo a distinct cask character and places it in a classic matured style. For the company’s other wine aging, casks of south-west European, east European, and American oak are used, and the old wood types underscore that oak plays a central role in the house’s maturation work.

Whiskies

The whisky section includes three named products: Rodeo, Visky Qırmızı, and Visky Göy. Rodeo is the only one described in detail; it is a classic blended whisky at 42% and is matured in old oak cognac casks for at least five years. The two other products appear as part of the current whisky range, but without further technical information on the product pages. Overall, the range points to a small, concentrated selection of whisky alongside the company’s larger wine and vodka production.

The whisky’s style and flavour profile

The whisky paints a picture of an aromatic and relatively mature style. Rodeo offers flowers, spices, honey, dried fruit, and noble oak, while the more detailed wine products show sides of berries, dark fruit, vanilla, smoke, palais, and spice. In Cabernet Sauvignon, you find, among other things, blackcurrant jam, cherry jam, red berry fruit, vanilla, and smoke; Icewine Rkatsiteli and Icewine Saperavi add flowers, honey, dried fruit, noble oak, and roasted nuts to the picture.

Visiting the distillery

There is public access to a tasting room on the premises, and the company has set up a small wine museum. Here, visitors can combine tastings with a look at old wine objects, bottles from different vintages, and books about wine production. The available text does not state fixed opening hours, booking requirements, or the duration of visits, but it is clearly a visitor facility associated with the site.

Philosophy and craft

The company places emphasis on strengthening agriculture and the non-oil-based sector in Azerbaijan through grape and pomegranate cultivation. At the same time, it highlights the desire to make “Made in Azerbaijan” known internationally and to build a competitive local brand using modern technology and Azerbaijani wine traditions. Quality work is supported by the laboratory’s chemical, microbiological, and sensory analyses.

Sustainability

Some of the pomegranate orchards are organic.
Drip irrigation is used in the gardens.
Products are certified organic by KIWA GmbH of Germany.
The company states BIO, USDA Organic, Kosher, ISO 22000:2018, ISO 9001:2015, and Halal certification.