Donato Lanati’s success story as an enologist and scientist is based on his unique approach to researches and on his innovative and extraordinary decisions.

Analyzing grape using the modern scientific methods, testing the advanced technologies, constant stride for perfection and a huge passion for wine – these are those main reasons that brought Dr. Lanati first in winemaking and later to Georgia. Constant researches and experiments that he implements at the “Enosis”, are dedicated to the only goal: raise the quality of wine through application of the advanced scientific methods.

For Dr. Lanati wine is nearly the same as for the most of Georgians – the product of a rural agrarian culture defined and refined over the centuries. A burning desire to unlock the secrets of grape is the main driver and motivation of his arrival to Georgia and joining Badagoni.

“I am here not to make a revolution, I am here to study, defend and preserve each vine variety and thus contribute to the work made by Georgian civilization. My sincere thanks to Georgia for teaching me a lot, hopefully my knowledge and experience will serve positively to the centuries long Georgian winemaking. I consider myself as a true member of Badagoni family.”
Today, as an expert in enology, he is a valued member of OIV (International Organization of Vine and Wine). Dr. Lanati, as a chief enologist is firmly convinced that without giving a good training and knowledge to those who work in the vineyards and wineries, it is almost impossible to make a wine with a strong sense of identity. It is by their hands, after all, that the wines are produced. He considers human skills merged with the scientific knowledge as a winning formula, ensuring wine responses not only to the expectations of the times, but also the tastes and demands of wine lovers and consumers.

Sandro Kumsishvili, Badagoni’s chief winemaker, brings a blend of professional education and 25 years of hands-on experience in winemaking. He manages the creation of every Badagoni wine, guiding the process through every stage on a daily basis. Sandro’s extensive team is a collective of individuals deeply passionate about their craft. They work across vital departments including vinification, fermentation, laboratory control, bottling, and etc., ensuring precision and care at every turn. For over a decade, Sandro’s contribution has been invaluable in maintaining the consistent, exceptional quality of Badagoni’s wines—from those crafted in the European style to the unique, traditional Qvevri wines. This unwavering commitment to excellence is richly reflected in the cascade of gold medals and ‘Best Wine’ trophies Badagoni is awarded with annually at the various international wine competitions.

Salome Salakaia, Badagoni’s enologist is a doctor of Enology and Viticulture. Her primary focus in the company is on the wines made using the traditional European methods, encompassing a range of styles from white, rose and sparkling to red. This involves working with modern winemaking equipment and techniques to produce high-quality wines on a larger scale. Salome studied at the University of Turin, which she’s complemented with hands-on work in various famous Italian wineries, while gaining practical experience in all stages of the winemaking process from grape reception and crushing to fermentation, aging, and bottling. „My time at the „Enosis Meraviglia“, under the leadership of Dr. Donato Lanati and Dr. Dora Marchi, was particularly formative. Enosis works with the leading wine companies, analyzing samples and providing expert recommendations. My role involved conducting various analyses on these samples, which gave me invaluable experience in applying scientific principles to real-world winemaking challenges. This is where I truly learned how to effectively blend a scientific approach with sensory evaluation, understanding how analytical data informs winemaking decisions and contributes to the final product’s quality“ – says Salome.

Paolo Lavagna, Badagoni Enologist is the Dr. of Enology and Viticulture. His academic foundation includes an initial qualification from the renowned Oenological School of Alba, followed by a degree in Viticulture and Oenology from the University of Turin, Italy. He combines a solid academic background with the practical experience gained in Italy’s prestigious winemaking regions, where he skillfully applied theoretical knowledge to the analytical practices of winemaking in a laboratory setting and also gained hands-on experience in the production processes.

Paolo is a very valuable enologist for Badagoni, balancing a respect for tradition with a drive for innovation and also with his deep understanding of the customer-wine relationship. His comprehensive background – from cellar work and laboratory analysis to direct consumer interaction, positions him as a strong voice for the future of Badagoni winery.