A Marine's Second Mission: How Kirk Parsons Turned a Tour in Georgia into a Family Wine Business

Kirk Parsons spent nearly three decades serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. It was his military assignments overseas that first brought him to Georgia—a country many Americans knew little about, but one he found himself returning to year after year. What began as a professional mission soon became something deeply personal. Kirk discovered a culture where hospitality is a way of life, every meal is an opportunity to build lasting friendships, and wine is more than a drink—it's an expression of identity. Those experiences didn't simply leave an impression; they changed the course of his life. In 2022, Kirk founded Parsons Fine Imports as an importer and wholesaler dedicated to introducing U.S. consumers to the remarkable diversity of Georgian wine—and today runs it alongside his son, Will.

A Portfolio Built on Relationships

Parsons Fine Imports was built on a simple philosophy: represent the true diversity of Georgian wine through long-term relationships with the people who make it. Today, the family-run importer works with 18 carefully selected wineries, bringing nearly 120 wines to the U.S. market.

Rather than build around a single style, the portfolio reflects the many faces of Georgian winemaking—from traditional qvevri wines, fermented and aged in clay vessels buried underground, to contemporary expressions crafted in stainless steel and oak. Together, the lineup showcases the range of Georgia's indigenous grapes, including Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Kisi, Chinuri, Mtsvane, Tavkveri, Shavkapito, and beyond.

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—each selected not only for the quality of its wines, but also for its philosophy, craftsmanship, and story. Many of these partnerships have been built over years of returning to Georgia, where shared meals, vineyard walks, harvest conversations, and traditional supras have transformed business relationships into lasting friendships. At a Georgian supra—a feast centered on hospitality, wine, and heartfelt toasts—a glass raised often carries the same weight as a handshake.

"Every visit reminds me that great wine begins with great people," said Kirk Parsons. "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."

That relationship-driven approach comes at a timely moment, as interest in Georgian wine continues to grow. This month, SOMM TV released Echoes of Wine, a feature documentary exploring Georgia's 8,000-year winemaking tradition and the people preserving it today. Among the featured wineries is Villa Mosavali, one of Parsons Fine Imports' long-standing producer partners. As the documentary introduces new audiences to Georgian wine, Parsons Fine Imports offers consumers the opportunity to discover those wines firsthand through one of the most diverse Georgian wine portfolios in the U.S.

How to Get Involved

• For distributors, retailers, sommeliers, and beverage directors: Demand for Georgian wine isn't a maybe anymore—it's a curve, and it's climbing. Parsons Fine Imports offers direct access to the portfolio, along with the market guidance to place it well: which region, which grape, which bottle fits your list.

• For consumers: Georgian wine is having its on-screen moment—from Echoes of Wine to the Georgia segment on All Access with Andy Garcia. If either is still on your watchlist, don't press play empty-handed. Pick up a bottle from parsonsfineimports.com and pour something real while Georgia tells its own story on screen. No subtitles required.

• For media: Kirk Parsons is available for interviews on his path from military service to Georgian wine, and on the relationships behind the portfolio. Media samples are available for qualified journalists and reviewers. For interviews or sampling, contact the press office at Beviour Marketing.

About Parsons Fine Imports

Parsons Fine Imports is a family-run wine importer and wholesaler based in Columbus, Indiana, founded by Kirk Parsons and co-run with his son, Will Parsons. The company specializes in wines from Georgia, the birthplace of wine, representing 18 producers and nearly 120 wines, and also distributes select wines from India, Ukraine, and Oregon. Parsons Fine Imports distributes across Indiana, Kentucky, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, and New York.