Rtveli: Georgia's Traditional Grape Harvest Festival

Rtveli is not merely a harvest — it is a living tradition thousands of years old. Every autumn Georgian families gather in the vineyards to cut the heavy grape clusters together, press juice with their feet in wooden vats, and sing ancient polyphonic songs.

The festival takes place mainly in Kakheti — the country's main wine region — in September and October, depending on the grape variety. The most celebrated varieties are Rkatsiteli and Saperavi.

Many family wineries welcome tourists for Rtveli. You will be treated to freshly pressed grape juice (dedaluri), bread baked in a clay tandoor, shashlik, and of course last year's homemade wine. Expect Georgian dancing and a jar of churchkhela to take home.

Batumi Tours Georgia organises Rtveli tours from Batumi and Tbilisi. If you dream of joining a real Georgian wine festival, contact us in September.