Dear friends,
Not long ago, precisely on December 18, 2024, a momentous event took place within the SAVALAN – ASPI Winery family! With immense joy and pride, we are thrilled to announce that SAVALAN – ASPI Winery has secured a new place for Azerbaijan in the Guinness World Records™. Our barrel has officially been recognized as the World’s Largest Wooden Wine Barrel, marking a historic achievement for our winery and our country!
A deep passion for exclusivity and unwavering commitment of our team to developing the tourism industry of Savalan winery – that is what inspired us to embark on this ambitious project. In February 2020, SAVALAN – ASPI Winery signed up an agreement with G. & P. Garbellotto S.p.A., one of the oldest and most renowned barrel-making companies, to craft a barrel of large dimensions.
Overall, the process of creating such a colossal project lasted 5 years. The total amount of 25 m3 century-old trees’ wood was used to create the barrel. A team of 50 master coopers poured their skill and dedication into the process, painstakingly putting together and taking apart their handcrafted “child” at a factory in Italy before assembling it once again at the SAVALAN – ASPI Winery. As a result, a barrel with a volume of 66,579 liters was born, which is equivalent to 89,866 bottles of wine!
An equally monumental effort was dedicated to refining the barrel’s appearance—from the meticulous design of its fastening to the engraving of a unique illustration accompanied by SAVALAN – ASPI Winery logo. Thus, three meters high engraving portrays a breathtaking Savalan Valley, elegantly framed within the delicate contours of a grape leaf. A team of skilled Italian artists labored tirelessly for over two weeks, pouring their expertise into every detail of this masterpiece.
On December 18th, in the presence of the official Guinness World Records™ judge Mr. Patel Pravin Jasmatbhaiand and under the online supervision of judges from the head office, our barrel was filled with wine with all the honors and celebrations. After completing all the necessary procedures, we were given a certificate confirming the setting of a new world record!
From now on, the unique barrel is a treasure of our brand new historic site located at our winery. Every visitor has now an opportunity to see the barrel firsthand and imagine the level of effort given to produce a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
We would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional team of professionals—our long-time friends and esteemed colleagues from G. & P. Garbellotto S.p.A.—who brought this magnificent project to life and took the initiative to submit it for recognition in the Guinness World Records™. A special note of appreciation goes to the esteemed representatives of Guinness World Records™, whose recognition not only honored our achievement but also reinforced our confidence in our capabilities!
Best regards,
Fuad Seyidaliev and Arif Rahimov
Founders and Co-owners of SAVALAN-ASPI Winery