The Role of Traditional Viticulture and Winemaking in the Development of the Geopark in Racha Region

The main goal of my research is to introduce you to the Racha viticulture and wine-making territory. The region has a complex geological and geomorphological structure, which has greatly influenced the formation of relief formation, as well as the culture and traditions of the region. This is an area that meets all the requirements of a geopark, because a geopark is not just a geological area, and it is a connection between man and the earth at all levels. Exactly these connections are well identified in the field of this study. The presented viticulture microzone is located on both sides of the Rioni River, although the taste of grapes in the microzone varies from north to south, which does not depend on just one specific geographical component. Soil chemical composition, landscape characteristics, geological characteristics, terrain types, and more are important. Racha Viticulture - Wine Zone and its recognition play an important role in the development of geotourism. What is already creating new jobs is a new economic activity and an additional source of income, economic benefits. Also, the region is mountainous and characterized by severe depopulation. It is possible to limit emigration through research and development in this area.


Introduction
The study area is historic Racha, located in the northwestern part of Georgia. The territory and borders of historical Racha were constantly changing. Currently, Racha territory includes Oni and Ambrolauri municipalities and together How to cite this paper: Chichinadze, T. with the other two municipalities (Tsageri and Lentekhi), forms the Racha-Lechkhumi-Kvemo Svaneti region. Racha covers an area of 2818 km 2 . Physically-geographically, Racha is located on the southern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, mainly in the Rioni River basin. The northern border is the main ridge of the Caucasus from the peak of Phasi Mountain (west) to Zekar Pass (east), while the southern border is the Racha Range.
The territory of the region is characterized by mountainous terrain. The height of the region varies from 500 -4500 meters. The highest peak of Racha is Chanchakhi 4462 above sea level [1] (Figure 1).
This mountainous region has a rich cultural heritage. Here, all the buildings, household items, household tools, home interior, vintage or storage, grape picking, wine making are associated with rituals. The region has a rich tradition of viticulture and winemaking, which plays an important role in agriculture, as well as in terms of traditions and education.

Methodology
The research process was complex, consisting of materials obtained during field expeditions and the results of laboratory studies. Soil samples were taken at several locations during the expedition and geological and geomorphological surveys of the study area were conducted.  Digital maps allowed me to determine the area of distribution of vineyards, the height of distribution, the microzones of vine varieties.
In the process of research, I used local scientific ampeological literature, which is mainly the scientific literature of the last century.
There was also contact with locals during the expedition. Respondents were mostly older people who gave us information about the vine, which is preserved only in the scientific literature today. They described the name, type, color, size, the village where this type was spread, the weight of the grapes.

Results
According to researchers, this field developed at the turn of the II and I millen-  On the left bank of the Rioni River, in the southern part of viticulture, the following types of relief are distinguished: 1) Sonlkin depression of Racha-Lechkhumi mountainous, terraced landslide relief, developed on the third and fourth clay substrates, marls, limestones. Canyon-like valleys are common; 2) lowland mountainous, erosive-karstic relief, with deep canyon valleys, upper Cretaceous limestones and marls are developed on the substrate [5] (Figure 3).
Soils are subject to natural landscape zoning. Typical alluvial soils of the floodplain are found in the floodplains of the Rioni River. There are some soils in the viticulture zone: 1) Raw Hummus Calcareous Soils (Leptosols Rendzic) Raw Hummus Calcareous soils are characterized by a granular structure. The thickness of the soil varies from 40 to 60 cm, which is transformed into deeper layers into limestone fragments of solid rocks. These types of soil contain heavy loam or large loam which is good for vineyard. At this stage only a relatively complete analysis of this type of soil has been carried out. Soil samples showed that the soil pH is very high at 7.8; The average concentration of calcium carbonate is 20%; Soil salinity (EC in micro Siemens/cm) 65.2; Fe -12.% in soil; In Al soil -12.%.
2) Yellow brown forest (Stagnic, Mollic, Ferric Luvisols); 3) Brown forest Soils (Cambisols Eutric and Cambisols Dystric) [1] (Figure 4).  As we can see, this part of viticulture is favorable in terms of soil and climate, but is a constant threat due to intense landslides and erosion processes. Due to these processes, many local vine species are no longer found today.
The area of vineyards in Racha was constantly changing due to climate change, hisorical events and migration. Today the knowledge of vine cultivation is forgotten according to the ripening periods of the grapes. It is known that such a tradition existed in Racha, when there were grape growing zones in the region according to ripeness, quality and taste. Many varieties of grapes have also be- There are about 60 local grape varieties in Racha. According to old data, many species of grapes are extinct in the region. We propose a fragment of a database of viticulture-winemaking geo-information maps (data are collected in expeditions) (Table 1).
Tsolikauri, a variety imported to Racha, which was cultivated after the Second  Today, "Sakipiano Center" is referred to as the Khvanchkara Microzone ( Figure   3) and covers a wider area, in the village of Ambrolauri, in the villages of the Wine making in Racha has its old tradition. A winery is a building or property that produces wine, or a business that is involved in winemaking, for example, a wine company. There is a cellar in Georgian. Almost every old house has its own old cellar. Due to the fact that Racha is a mountainous region, the wine was stored in closed cellars, as the building protects the wine from frost in winter and heat in summer [6].

Conclusions
As can be seen in the topic, viticulture is one of the most important economic sectors in the region, located on a complex geological and geomorphological terrain associated with a seismically active site. Because this area is characterized by landslides, erosions, it is necessary for people to have less impact on nature to avoid both natural and human damage. However, the area has favorable soilvegetation cover for viticulture. Also today many local grape species are extinct and we have only descriptive information about them; however, in this case, the extinction of the vine species is not related to the landslide; it is related to more difficult climatic conditions as some of the described grape species are no longer found in growing regions with harsh climates. Due to these harsh conditions, population migration is frequent.
In order to maintain the traditional mountain viticulture and winemaking, it is necessary to raise the world awareness about the region and to implement international level projects, such as a geopark, which will play an important role in stopping severe depopulation.