Stalin’s Wine Cellar: Timeline and Latest Developments
The 1999 investigation, the book and the 2026 reopening
The 1999 investigation, the book and the 2026 reopening
The story spans the original Tbilisi investigation, the publication of Stalin’s Wine Cellar and the Georgian authorities’ later reassessment of the collection. This timeline separates the historical account from dated public announcements.
John Baker and Kevin Hopko travelled to Tbilisi to examine the collection beneath the former Savane Winery No. 1. Over a week, they examined and recorded approximately 40,000 bottles. The archive preserves photographs, inventory material and observations from that visit.
Explore the 1999 investigation · Read the recorded producers, vintages and tasting context
The account on this website describes the cellar being sealed in 2002. In its statement of 29 May 2026, Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture said the enoteca had last been formally assessed and catalogued in 2002. These statements describe the historical account and the Ministry’s later record respectively.
Read the Ministry’s 2026 statement about the earlier assessment
Stalin’s Wine Cellar by John Baker and Nick Place was first published in Australia. The book follows the wider adventure behind the search for the historic collection.
Penguin’s original edition record
Penguin’s paperback edition is dated 20 July 2021, ISBN 9781761043666. The book has also appeared in French, Estonian, Hungarian, Romanian and Simplified Chinese editions.
See six international covers, publication details and buying links
The National Wine Agency announced the opening ceremony at Wine Factory No. 1 on 28 May. Its preliminary estimate was up to 20,000 collectible bottles. The Ministry’s statement the next day described the need to identify and verify the bottles and assess their current condition.
National Wine Agency, 28 May 2026 · Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, 29 May 2026
Co-author Nick Place announced that Beyond Productions and IPG Media had optioned the book for development as a potential television series. The announcement describes a development option; it does not announce a commissioned series or release date.
Read Nick Place’s announcement
The approximately 40,000-bottle figure in the 1999 account and the preliminary figure of up to 20,000 collectible bottles in the 2026 announcements refer to different dates and assessments. They should not be treated as directly comparable counts without the underlying inventories and definitions.
The National Wine Agency’s May announcement said examples from the collection could become auction lots. That announcement does not provide a final auction date or lot catalogue. Future sale details will be added here when supported by a dated announcement from the relevant authority or appointed auction house.
This website records the historical investigation and the book’s story. It does not offer bottles from the cellar for sale.
The 1999 material comes from the account and original archive supplied to this website. Publication dates come from Penguin Books Australia; the 2026 reopening and study details come from the National Wine Agency and Ministry; the television announcement comes from co-author Nick Place.
Last source review: 27 October 2026. Explore interviews and coverage · Explore the book