As summer gives way to autumn, Georgia prepares for Rtveli, the annual grape harvest that is far more than an agricultural task. It is a moment when the past and the present meet, when the heartbeat of the nation is felt in its vineyards, and when families, neighbours, and guests from abroad unite in celebration. For over 8,000 years, Georgia has nurtured the vine, making it the birthplace of wine and one of the few countries where the harvest is still a cultural and spiritual ritual.
Rtveli: More Than a Harvest
In Georgian villages, Rtveli begins at dawn. Laughter mixes with the sound of folk songs, and baskets fill with bunches of grapes destined for the qvevri, the large clay vessels buried underground that give Georgian wine its unique soul. The harvest is never silent – polyphonic chants, recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, echo across the valleys. These harmonies, sung by generations of Georgians, carry with them the weight of tradition and the joy of community.
When the day’s work is done, the supra begins: a grand feast where tables overflow with khachapuri, mtsvadi, fresh vegetables, and, of course, wine from the previous harvest. At the centre of it all stands the tamada, the toastmaster, who guides the toasts in a ritual that is both poetic and philosophical. Every toast is a celebration of life, family, ancestors, and the future – a reminder that in Georgia, wine is not just consumed, it is lived.
An Ancient Legacy Unknown to Many
While European wine lovers are familiar with Bordeaux, Tuscany, or Rioja, few know that Georgia is the oldest winemaking country in the world. Archaeologists have uncovered traces of winemaking dating back to 6000 BC, making Georgian wine culture older than the Pyramids. The qvevri method, still in use today, reflects a philosophy of harmony with nature – the earth itself shapes and preserves the wine.
For Georgians, wine is sacred. It appears in their legends, in their churches, and in everyday life as a symbol of hospitality. A Georgian proverb says:
“Guests are a gift from God.”
And no guest leaves a Georgian home without sharing a glass of wine.
The 2025 Vintage: A Promise of Excellence
This year, the vineyards of Kakheti, Kartli, Imereti, and Racha-Lechkhumi await harvest with anticipation. Grapes like Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Kisi, and Mtsvane are showing promise after a season marked by warm days and cool nights – conditions that often yield wines of remarkable balance and depth. Local winemakers whisper with optimism about a vintage that may join the list of truly memorable harvests.
Georgianwine.online Will Be There
The Georgianwine.online team will be present during Rtveli 2025, side by side with winemakers and families, to witness the harvest, taste the grapes, and capture the spirit of this ancient tradition. We will bring our readers not only news of the harvest but also stories, images, and voices directly from the vineyards.
A Celebration to Be Shared
Rtveli 2025 will once again remind us that wine is not born only from grapes, but from community, tradition, and faith in the future. For Europeans, it is an invitation to discover a world still little known – a land where every harvest is both a ritual and a celebration of life.
Follow us on Georgianwine.online as we bring Georgia’s most ancient tradition closer to Europe, glass by glass, story by story.
