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Rtveli (Georgian: რთველი) is Georgia’s wine harvest festival. It encompasses the whole process, from picking the grapes, through processing them into the wine vessels (qvevri) and the supra (feast) that follows a successful harvest.
Every family that makes their own wine will have a Rtveli of their own. Each can happen in one day, multiple times, or spread over many days, depending on the size of the harvest for each family and the chosen harvest dates.
The Rtveli happens when the sugar content of the grapes have reached their ideal amount, based on the winemaker’s preference, which varies depending on where in the country they are grown. The peak season is between early September and mid October, but we have options which most seasons allow us to operate harvest tours from late August to early November.
Our scheduled harvest tours are over for 2022.
2023 Dates will be announced below in August. Please join the waitlist to keep updated about upcoming dates by email.
As a tourist, the best harvest experience depends on your preferences and availability. There are 3 versions that are typically possible, 2 are the common ones that get offered to tourists (simulations and events), and then there is the most authentic and least commonly offered option – The Real Family Rtveli – which we offer on a very limited schedule as one of the only tour companies in Georgia to do this with any level of organization.
Read our article that explains Rtveli and the experience, step by step and in pictures. Or choose your tour style below.
Vineyards large and small offer a simulation of some of the main activities of the Rtveli. Such as picking, stomping with feet, maybe a meal or even supra (feast) with a tamada (toastmaster).
We join winemaking families, on days where their real harvest is happening. The grapes you pick will be used to make the wines for the family that they will drink and sell the following year. This is a truly grass-roots experience and fully immersive.
Our scheduled wine harvest tours provide a fun and easy simulation of the harvest, visiting an independent winery to pick grapes, stomp them. If you have no flexibility in your visit dates, and need a trip that is not weather dependent, this is the closest to the real Rtveli we can provide.
Even though this is a simulation harvest, our focus is on taking you to independent vineyards where you can meet the winemaker and get more of a family feel, rather than just stomping grapes at a corporate vineyard.
Personal, small group experiences with bags of authenticity, even if the actual grapes will not be made into wine.
See a date you want to join? Go to the booking page and use the booking calendar to make your booking.
None of these dates work for you? Book an on-demand new date – click the button to start.
Minimum of 2 people.
We join various winemaking families, on the actual days where the real harvest is happening. The grapes you pick will be used to make the wines for the family that they will drink and sell the following year.
This is a truly grass-roots experience and fully immersive. Follow every step of the Rtveli, with the family and their friends, from picking grapes through to enjoying a supra (feast) with the tamada (toastmaster).
We run a very limited number of these, and they are highly weather dependent, which is why few tour companies offer this types of experience. We do it because we believe authenticity is a priority for our guests – and because we just love doing these tours. Read our article that explains Rtveli and the experience, step by step and in pictures.
We expect to run just 10 Real Family Rtveli tours in 2023.
Last years trips are listed below. 2023 trips will be listed ~August 2023.
Why this tour?
Winemaker is a professional dance teacher, and used to be part of the national team touring the world.
There will be traditional Georgian dance and a whole roast lamb or goat.
Visit to Uplitsikhe cave town before the Rtveli.
As with ALL our real Rtveli tours: picking grapes, helping winemaker fill the qvevri, helping make dishes for supra (feast) and having supra with the family after harvest.
Spaces: Two Trips of 12
Why this tour?
Higher altitude winery, close to Signagi.
Very small artisan production.
As with ALL our real Rtveli tours: picking grapes, helping winemaker fill the qvevri, helping make dishes for supra (feast) and having supra with the family after harvest.
Spaces: 7
Why this tour?
English speaking winemaker & tamada (toastmaster).
Family are all singers and there will be polyphonic singing at the supra.
Closer to Tbilisi.
As with ALL our real Rtveli tours: picking grapes, helping winemaker fill the qvevri, helping make dishes for supra (feast) and having supra with the family after harvest.
Spaces: 12
Why this tour?
Female winemaker.
Remote family home located in the Bolnisi Microzone region (south of Tbilisi) with a lovely garden.
Opportunity to visit the old German buildings of Asureti before the Rtveli.
As with ALL our real Rtveli tours: picking grapes, helping winemaker fill the qvevri, helping make dishes for supra (feast) and having supra with the family after harvest.
Spaces: 12
Why this tour?
Lively/crazy winemaker who will keep you entertained – antics are expected.
Vines are walking distance from the marani (wine cellar).
Expect a very fun Supra (feast)!
As with ALL our real Rtveli tours: picking grapes, helping winemaker fill the qvevri, helping make dishes for supra (feast) and having supra with the family after harvest.
Spaces: 12
Why this tour?
Family are all singers (mother is a music teacher) and there will be polyphonic singing at the supra.
In the Kardenakhi microzone.
Optional short excursion to Signagi is possible during the afternoon.
As with ALL our real Rtveli tours: picking grapes, helping winemaker fill the qvevri, helping make dishes for supra (feast) and having supra with the family after harvest.
Spaces: 7
Why this tour?
English speaking winemaker.
Vineyards with great views of the Caucasus mountains.
Very fine artisan wines. Smaller group.
Day 1 visits culture and wine sites around Telavi, instead of Signagi.
As with ALL our real Rtveli tours: picking grapes, helping winemaker fill the qvevri, helping make dishes for supra (feast) and having supra with the family after harvest.
Spaces: 7
Want us to organise a large harvest event for you?
Fill out our custom quote form and let us know your requirements.
Or join our Rtveli Party Event: 2 Day Tour, 10th September 2022. More details, click the link below to the Facebook event page. 20 to 30 guests.
We specialize in small group, food & wine itineraries (with a good dose of history, sightseeing and culture thrown in). But we can provide anything from fully custom, multi day itineraries that will take to across of of Georgia, down to private walking tours in Tbilisi.
From personal two person honeymoon wine adventures, to 30+ guest wine country parties/festivals. We have wine, food and fun waiting for you!
Submit a custom quote request and we can build you an itinerary and get you a quote.