Rtveli 2024: Georgian Wine Harvest Tours | Eat This! Tours (original) (raw)

Premium Authentic, All-Inclusive Food & Wine Harvest Tours

Late August to Early November

Authentic Wine Harvest Tours: Rtveli 2024

Rtveli 2024 Wine Harvest Georgia: 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 that most seasons allow us to operate harvest tours from late August to early November.

We have Rtveli 2024 harvest wine tours in Kakheti, Kartli, Imereti and Racha – Georgia.

Some provisional Rtveli 2024 harvest dates are NOW LISTED BELOW. These can change. JOIN THE WAITLIST to keep up to date.

3 Types Of Harvest Tours: Rtveli 2024

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).

Can book any date in the season (late August to early November)
Shorter and easier harvest experience (ie. only picking grapes for ~30 minutes) which is well paced with no gaps/waiting around
But less authentic than the real family Rtveli
Grapes normally made into juice not wine

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.

You join a winemaker and their family/friends to help make the family's wine for the season
By far the most authentic - small group of tourists actually helping a local family
Slower day of real activities, rather than a fast paced artificial itinerary
Dates can change last minute due to weather, so you need to be flexible
Very limited supply of dates, so please get on the waitlist

A large group go out to a larger winery (sometimes independent, sometimes commercial) and all work together to help the winery perform harvest. It can be a simulation or a real harvest. We mainly book these on request, but sometimes run our own public event.

One-off specific dates, so you have to be available
Large groups, rather than more personal small group tours
Book your own private event through us
Mostly tourists on the trip, little interaction with locals
Grapes may actually get turned into wine, rather than just juice

Dates & Options

Real Family Rtveli Tours

REAL Harvest: Late Aug to Early Nov

Real Family Harvest Tour
Specific, 1-off dates only

Go to the booking page and use the booking calendar to make your booking.

Want a private Rtveli or date that is not listed? Book an on-demand new date – click the button to start.

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 very 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 no more than 25 Real Family Rtveli tours in 2024. Less than 300 spaces total. Last year’s trips were mostly all sold out. We expect this year to be much busier.

OPEN/Confirmed dates will be listed on the booking page from early August 2024 More info, waitlist, and other provisional dates for 2024 are listed below. Weather dependent.

Group Size: 6 to 14 guests per trip
1 & 2 Day trips
Dates are SUBJECT TO CHANGE based on weather and grape sugar level. Please allow some flexibility in your availability. + or - 3 days is best. If you have no flexibility, please let us know when you apply to the waitlist for the tour.
There are no cancellation fees if dates change from those published. Once dates are locked in, you will be notified and you can pay a deposit to secure your spot. This is only refundable if the date changes, not if you later cancel.
Approx. pricing: 310 to 360 GEL per person per day, depending on group size. All inclusive, indulgent amounts of food and wine. Accommodation not included.

Scheduled Harvest Simulation Tours

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.

Scheduled Wine Harvest Tour
EVERY Tues / Thurs / Sat (Sept + Oct)

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.

Dates & Approx Itineraries

Real Family Rtveli Tours - Date Information

Rtveli Runs From Late August To Mid November

Real Rtveli Dates Calendar

Real Rtveli happens in many different locations. So the times and itineraries vary

Click each calendar entry for more information about the location and itinerary.

The Calendar (All dates are weather dependent, see note below):

“CONFIRMED” Dates/Locations which are 100% set and ready to book (once bookings open from August).
“EXPECTED” Dates that are 100% set, but the location may change depending on grape ripening levels. The locations will become “CONFIRMED” about 2 weeks before departure.
“PROVISIONAL” Approximate dates that we anticipate a real harvest, but we are waiting on the winemaker to confirm. This normally happens about 1 to 3 weeks beforehand.

NOTE: In the case of moderate to heavy rain the day before or morning of the tour, a Real Rtveli may be replaced with a simulation tour. The ONLY difference is you will pick grapes for much less time (or not at all if heavy rain during the allotted picking time) and the grapes picked will normally not be used to make wine. All other activities (including supra) remain the same. Please read the full terms and conditions on the booking page before booking.

Below some general information about each location, and the approximate times of year each location will harvest. This info is the same every year. For exact dates, consult the calendar above.

Typical example itineraries are listed below – they are not final – check the calendar above for latest itinerary, subject to change if the winery has to change last minute.

1 Day Tour: Near Akasheni, Kakheti

Real Rtveli: Early Harvest

Late August. Early Departure 8AM or even 7:30AM

Weather in August is hot. All picking must finish by midday.

Depart Tbilisi 8am. Pick from 10am to 12pm.

Why this tour? Very enthusiastic winemaker! Expect a lively supra.
Very small family home producer. RARE GRAPE: Okroula. Assist harvesting one of Kakheti’s rarest grapes.

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

Itinerary

Approximate Itinerary, subject to last minute change.

8:00 am – Depar Tbilisi
10:00 am – Harvest grapes
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Finish loading grapes, return to the marani. Help process the grapes, snacks and wine available.
2:00 pm – Help prepare Khinkali and other dishes for the supra
4:00 pm – Supra (feast) in at the family home
7:30 pm Depart
9:30 pm Arrive to Tbilisi

1 Day Tour: Near Velistsikhe, Kakheti

Real Rtveli: Mukuzani

Early September

Why this tour? Female Winemaker.
Incredible panoramic views from the dining space for the supra (feast). Hosted by the winemaker.Large family vineyard, but the winemaker sells most grapes and only makes small-batch wines herself.
NOTE: This Rtveli can also be booked by private groups to run on any date from 1st to 25th Sept (minimum 7 persons).

Unlike all the other Rtvelis on this list, wine is not always made from the grapes you pick. It will depend on the sugar content of the grapes on the day. The primary reason to attend is to see real picking operations at a large vineyard, which differ from all the other tiny family places on this list.
The vineyard is within the Mukuzani appellation but Mukazani wine is not going to be made.

Spaces: 12

Itinerary

Approximate Itinerary, subject to last minute change.

8:30 am – Depar Tbilisi
11:00 am – Harvest grapes and meet the large amount of local workers who assist with harvesting this massive vineyard.
12:00 pm – Finish loading grapes, return to the marani. Help process the grapes (if wine is being made, otherwise a simulation of the grape processing method), snacks and drinks available.
2:30 pm – Help prepare Khinkali and other dishes for the supra out in the vineyard.
4:00 pm – Supra (feast) with panoramic views, right in the vineyard.
7::30 pm Depart
10:00 pm Arrive to Tbilisi

1 Day Tour: Near Signagi

Real Rtveli: Vakiri

Early / Mid September

Why this tour?
There will be polyphonic singing at the supra.
English speaking toastmaster.
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: 12

Itinerary

Approximate Itinerary, subject to last minute change.

8:30 am – Depart Tbilisi
10:30 am – Harvest grapes with the family and other guests in Kardenakhi microzone.
12:30 pm – Help process the grapes, snacks and wine available during/after the process.
2 pm – Help prepare BBQ and other dishes for the supra.
And/Or make a short excursion to the mountain village of Signagi and the longest fortification walls in Europe (1.5 hours)
4 pm – Supra (feast) in the yard outside the marani (cellar). Home cooked food and the family are singers
7.30 pm – Enjoy the sun setting and then depart for Tbilisi.
9:30 pm – Arrive to Tbilisi

1 Day Tour: Alazani Valley, Kakheti (near Signagi)

Real Rtveli: Kardenakhi

Early to Mid September

Why this tour?
There will be polyphonic singing at the supra.
English speaking toastmaster.
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: 12

Itinerary

Approximate Itinerary, subject to last minute change.

1 Day Tour: Alazani Valley, Kakheti

Real Rtveli: Velistsikhe

Mid to Late September

Why this tour? Very enthusiastic winemaker! Expect a lively supra.
Very small family home producer.

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

Itinerary

Approximate Itinerary, subject to last minute change.

8:30 am – Depar Tbilisi
11:00 am – Harvest grapes
12:30 pm – Vine-side BBQ and drinks (TBC)
1:00 pm – Finish loading grapes, return to the marani. Help process the grapes, snacks and drinks available.
2:30 pm – Help prepare Khinkali and other dishes for the supra
4:00 pm – Supra (feast) in at the family home
8:00 pm Depart
10:00 pm Arrive to Tbilisi

2 Day Tour: Alazani Valley, Kakheti

Real Rtveli: Telavi

Mid September

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.

This may run as a 2-day or 1-day tour, depending on demand.

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

Itinerary

Approximate Itinerary, subject to last minute change.

Day 1: Wine & Culture Day

9:00 am – Depart Tbilisi. Stop for honey tasting on Gombori mountain pass
11:45 am – Alaverdi monastery
1.00 pm – Wine tasting and lunch in the Alazani valley at a small family winery
3:30 pm – Visit the qvevri builder and see how the wine vessels are made, at his home workshop
5:00 pm – Visit the historic city of Telavi, the king Erekle II fortress, and the 900 year old plane tree
6:30pm – Light dinner and wine tasting at a high class winery with mountain views on their terrace.
9:00 pm – overnight at your hotel (multiple options at different price points available, TBA) Accommodation cost not included.

Day 2: Harvest Day

9:00 am – Breakfast
9:30 am – Depart hotel
10:30 am – Harvest grapes
12 pm – Vine-side BBQ and drinks
1:00 pm – Finish loading grapes, return to the marani. Help process the grapes, snacks and drinks available. A short excursion to the local maket may be possible, depending on the time.
4 pm – Help prepare Khinkali and other dishes for the supra
5:30 pm – Supra (feast) in the marani at the family home
8:30 pm Depart
10:30 pm Arrive to Tbilisi

1 Day Tour: Alazani Valley, Kakheti

Real Rtveli: Tsinandali

Late September

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

Itinerary

Approximate Itinerary, subject to last minute change.

Day 1: Wine & Culture Day

10:30 am – Depart Tbilisi
11:30 am – A quick stop at the beautiful Ninortsminda cathedral
12.30 pm – Wine tasting and lunch in the Iori valley at a small family winery
5:00 pm – Visit the historic mountain village of Signagi, and walk the city walls and cobbled streets.
7:00pm – Dinner and wine tasting at a high class winery with mountain views on their terrace.
9:30 pm – overnight at your hotel (multiple options at different price points available, TBA) Accommodation cost not included.

Day 2: Harvest Day

9:30 am – Breakfast
10:15 am – Depart hotel
10:30 am – Harvest grapes
12:30 pm – Help process the grapes, snacks and drinks available
2 pm – Help prepare BBQ and other dishes for the supra
4 pm – Lively and entertaining supra in the yard outside the marani
7.30 pm – Enjoy the sun setting and then depart for Tbilisi ~8pm
10:00 pm – Arrive to Tbilisi

1 Day Tour: Kvemo Kartli, South of Tbilisi

Real Rtveli: Bolnisi

Late September or Early October

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

Itinerary

Approximate Itinerary, subject to last minute change.

8:30 AM Depart Tbilisi
9:20 AM Asureti. Visit the historic 19th century German settlement, with old German homes and cathedral.
9:50 AM Depart
11:00 AM Grape Picking with the locals.
12:30 PM Vine Side BBQ. Cook Mtsvadi right in the field by the vines. Enjoy snacks and wine from your host.
1:00 PM Load and transport grapes back to Marani
1:30: PM Process grapes into the Qvevri with the family
2:30: PM Depart
3:00: PM Make an excursion to the incredible Zedashe (local monastery) that sits on a peak in the middle of the valley with mountains and fields on every side. Full panoramic views)
3:45: PM OPTIONAL (time permitting): Visit the Bolnisi museum and learn about the oldest remains of hominid life in Europe (1.8M year) discovered nearby, as well as more about the local German heritage. OR return to the winery for wine or to further assist with the end of the harvest.
5:00: PM Depart
5:15: PM Return to the winery to assist with preparing dishes for the Supra
6:45: PM Supra. Join the family and local friends who assisted with the harvest for a traditional feast to celebrate the successful day. Experience the traditional toasts from the Tamada (toastmaster) with free flowing artisan wine.
9:15: PM Depart
11:00: PM Arrive Tbilisi

1 Day Tour: Iori Valley, Kakheti

Real Rtveli: Sagarejo

Late September to Mid October

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

Itinerary

Approximate Itinerary, subject to last minute change.

9am – Depart Tbilisi
10 am – Visit Ninotsminda Cathedral
11 am – Picking grapes in the field
1 pm – Snacks in the home winery garden while helping to unload and process grapes
3 pm – Help preparations for the supra (feast) and making dishes with the family
5 pm – Supra & polyphonic singing
~8.30 pm – Depart
10 pm – Arrive to Tbilisi

1 Day Tour: Shida Kartli, North of Tbilisi

Real Rtveli: Mtskheta or Gori

Early to Mid October

Why this tour? Hosted by a former member of National Georgian Dance Troupe.
Get dance lessons!
Visit to Jvari monastery,

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

Itinerary

Approximate Itinerary, subject to last-minute change.

08:30 AM Depart Tbilisi
09:15 AM Jvari Monastery
10:30 AM Grape Picking with the locals.
12:00 PM Cook Mtsvadi (BBQ) right in the field by the vines OR at the family winery. Enjoy snacks and wine from your host.
1:00 PM Load and transport grapes back to Marani
1:30: PM Process grapes into the Qvevri with the family.
2:30: PM Assist with preparing dishes for the Supra – learn to make khinkali.
3:30: PM Supra. Join the family and local friends who assisted with the harvest for a traditional feast to celebrate the successful day. Experience the traditional toasts from the Tamada (toastmaster) with free flowing artisan wine.
5:30 pm: Learn traditional Georgian Dance with a local dance teacher OR enjoy Georgian polyphonic singing from a local singing group
7 PM: Depart
8:15 PM Arrive Tbilisi

1 Day Tour: Terjola Area (45 mins from Kutaisi)

Real Rtveli: Imereti (From Kutaisi)

October

Why this tour? *Female winemaker.
*Remote rural farmstead.
*Farm to table (ingredients from the farmstead) supra in the garden.
*Can operate as a 2-day tour from Tbilisi, if enough demand (we did in previous years).

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: 14

Itinerary

Approximate Itinerary, subject to last minute change. For Tbilisi departures, see below.

From Kutaisi

10:00 AM Depart Kutaisi
11:00 AM Grape Picking with the locals.
12:30 PM Vine Side BBQ. Cook Mtsvadi right in the field by the vines. Enjoy snacks and wine from your host.
1:00 PM Load and transport grapes back to Marani
1:30: PM Process grapes into the Qvevri with the family
2:30 pm Preparations for supra, and enjoy wine in the garden
4:30 pm Supra
7:30 pm Depart for Kutaisi
8:30 pm Arrive to Kutaisi

Can you join from Tbilisi?

I’d suggest getting a bus (~$12) the day before, and back the day after, and stay 2 nights in Kutaisi with the rtveli being the middle day.

Private transfers are also possible, but the travel time makes this a bit tricky for a 1 day trip. I’d suggest departing Tbilisi early (8:00 AM) on the day of the Rtveli. Arrive to the harvest around 11am. Stay overnight in the area. Return on day two, including a family winery lunch on the way back to Tbilisi. If we have enough interest we can run this as a 2 day tour from Tbilisi.

1 Day Tour: Signagi, Kakheti

Real Rtveli: Signagi

330 GEL per person (all-inclusive)

Mid October

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

Itinerary

Approximate Itinerary, subject to last minute change.

8:30 am Depart Tbilisi
10:30 am Visit Signagi mountain village, city walls and old cobbles streets
11:45 am Picking grapes
1 pm Processing grapes in the the qvevri. Snacks and drinks.
2 pm Quick (optional) excursion to Bobde monastery
3 pm Assist with preparing some dishes for the supra (feast)
4 pm Supra with the family to celebrate the harvest.
7 pm Depart
9 pm Arrive Tbilisi

3 Day Tour: Imereti & Racha

Real Rtveli & Terjola Wine Festival: Imereti & Racha

~990 GEL per person (all-inclusive)

Late October - Runs Based On Demand Only

Why this tour? Off-track locations.
From Tbilisi to West Georgia.
Small artisan production.
Attend a non-touristy, local wine festival.

Attend a late season harvest – we don’t have locations long in advance, but most likely Racha (Ambrolauri) or Imereti, or possibly Kartli region. Help a family with their harvest and enjoy local harvest activities. It’s quite late in the season, so the harvest is hard to confirm in advance.

We’ll also attend the Terjola wine festival on October 23rd, the date for which is currently confirmed but also may change outside our control. The general dates are based on making it to the festival.

Spaces: 12

Itinerary

Approximate Itinerary.

Day 1: Travel to Racha or Imereti. Stopping for lunch at a winery in the Kartli region.

Day 2: Wine harvest in Racha or Imereti (pending options closer to the date, weather dependent). Overnight Terjola area.

Day 3: Terjola wine festival. Return to Tbilisi

Looking for something a little off track?

More Dates

We have more possible dates in other wine regions.

Kartli Region (just north of Tbilisi): Early October

Racha Region (North of Kutaisi): Some from 10th September until 25th October

Imereti Region (Kutaisi): Early October.

If you are interested in these. mention it in the waitlist form and I can see if we have enough people to run trips to the less visited wine regions.

Book A Large Harvest Party Or Join One Of Ours

Event Rtveli

Want us to organize a large harvest event for you?

From 10 to 50+ guests is possible. This will include all of the Rtveli activities (based on what you select):

Pick Grapes.
Process Grapes (either stomping by foot, or with a machine, or both – let us know what you need).
Massive Supra (feast) with the winemaker and/or their family. Traditional toasts. Unlimited food & wine!
Real family style, or at a chateau or other more sophisticated venue.
Real harvest (make wine – very limited dates) or simulation (Any day from late August to Late October).
Polyphonic singing.
Traditional dancing.
Make churchkhela (Georgia’s national dessert, made from grapes).
Khinkali and/or Khachapuri and/or Mtsvadi cooking class.

Fill out our On Demand / Private quote form and let us know your requirements. A minimum of 10 Guests is required. Options and prices vary widely depending on your requirements, group size and dates.

Looking For Something Different?

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.