Military Service Led to Wine Import Venture Kirk Parsons spent nearly three decades in the U.S.
Marine Corps before founding Parsons Fine Imports in 2022. His repeated military assignments to Georgia sparked a personal interest in the country's wine culture and hospitality traditions, eventually leading him to establish an importer and wholesaler focused exclusively on Georgian wines. He now runs the business alongside his son, Will.
Portfolio Spans 18 Wineries and Multiple Styles Parsons Fine Imports works with 18 carefully selected Georgian wineries, bringing nearly 120 wines to the U.S. market. The portfolio reflects the diversity of Georgian winemaking, from traditional qvevri wines—fermented and aged in clay vessels buried underground—to contemporary expressions crafted in stainless steel and oak. Partner wineries include Villa Mosavali, Giuaani, Barbale, Disveli Estate, Terra Kisi, Traditsiuli, Tanini, Satsnakheli, Château Buera, Ghvardzelashvili's Marani, Marbano, Lazmauri, Kiketi Farm Wine, Chelti, Schuchmann, Labara, Spring Fields, and Wine Thieves. The lineup showcases Georgian indigenous grapes including Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Kisi, Chinuri, Mtsvane, Tavkveri, and Shavkapito.
Relationship-Driven Approach Parsons has built the importer's strategy around long-term partnerships with producers rather than focusing on a single winemaking style. "Every visit reminds me that great wine begins with great people," Kirk Parsons said. "The wines are exceptional, but it's the friendships and trust we've built over the years that make this business so rewarding. We don't simply import bottles—we're honored to share the people, traditions, and culture behind them." Many of these partnerships developed through repeated visits to Georgia, vineyard walks during harvests, and traditional supras—feasts centered on hospitality, wine, and toasts that Parsons describes as transforming business relationships into lasting friendships.
Timing Aligned with Growing Interest The venture enters a market showing increased consumer interest in Georgian wine. SOMM TV released a documentary this month titled "Echoes of Wine" that explores Georgia's 8,000-year winemaking tradition. Villa Mosavali, one of Parsons Fine Imports' producer partners, is featured in the documentary. Parsons Fine Imports currently distributes across Indiana, Kentucky, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, and New York. The company also carries select wines from India, Ukraine, and Oregon.
Why It Matters
For operators seeking to expand wine lists with differentiated offerings, Georgian wines represent both a heritage category with deep winemaking tradition and a growth trend gaining mainstream attention. A diversified portfolio from a single importer with established producer relationships can simplify sourcing while providing educational context—particularly valuable as consumer awareness of Georgian wine increases through media coverage.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
