The Georgian wine harvest of 2025 has been celebrated as one of the finest in recent years. Across the vineyards of Kakheti, Kartli, and Imereti, the legendary Rtveli festival — Georgia’s ancient grape harvest — brought together families, winemakers, and travellers to celebrate abundance and tradition. For the team of Georgianwine.online, this harvest was not only a journey through vineyards but a deep, personal connection to the spirit of Georgian winemaking.
An Exceptional Year for Georgian Wine
The 2025 harvest season is being described by wine experts and officials as exceptional. Thanks to new national policies that reward quality over quantity, Georgian growers have produced grapes of remarkable richness and balance.
In Kakheti, more than 110,000 tons of grapes were processed by the end of September, with classic varieties such as Saperavi and Rkatsiteli leading the way. The weather was kind, the operations ran smoothly, and every region — from the valleys of Kartli to the humid hills of Imereti — shared the same optimistic mood: this year’s Georgian wine harvest 2025 is a triumph.
Exploring Orkoli Winery in Western Georgia
The Georgianwine.online team began their Rtveli adventure in Kutaisi, travelling west to Mukhuri, home to Orkoli Winery. For two days, Paolo and Tania, guided by Vova Karakash and Ivan Chitoshvili, explored the unique winemaking philosophy of Bagrat “Bekka” Gakharia, the creative force behind Orkoli.
Unlike many wineries, Orkoli does not own its own vineyards. Instead, Bekka collaborates with local grape producers, selecting only the best fruit for his experimental wines. At one of these partner vineyards, the team joined the Tsolikouri harvest, helping pick the delicate white grapes under the warm western sun. Laughter, songs, and the earthy scent of soil filled the day, followed by a traditional supra feast — endless dishes, heartfelt toasts, and wines full of life.
Tbilisi Tastings with a New Generation of Georgian Winemakers
From the quiet charm of Mukhuri, the team travelled to Tbilisi, Georgia’s vibrant capital and the beating heart of its modern wine culture. Over two days, Georgianwine.online explored the city’s growing community of young Georgian winemakers — passionate innovators blending ancient qvevri traditions with contemporary techniques.
In cosy wine bars and small cellars, they tasted natural and amber wines, each telling a different story of land, courage, and identity. These encounters confirmed that the future of Georgian wine lies in the balance between respect for heritage and the freedom to experiment — a theme perfectly embodied in the Georgian wine harvest 2025.
Chito’s Gvino and the Spirit of Kakheti
The journey concluded in Martkopi, Kakheti — the spiritual home of Georgian wine — at Chito’s Gvino, a boutique winery founded by Nino Chitoshvili in 2017. Under the guidance of her son Ivan, the team once again took part in the harvest, this time gathering the golden clusters of Kisi, Georgia’s iconic grape.
Standing among the vines with hands stained purple, the team felt the ancient rhythm that connects people and nature. As the sun set over the vineyards, the tamada raised his glass during the evening feast, reminding everyone that in Georgia, wine is not merely a drink — it is memory, culture, and gratitude.
Georgian Wine Harvest 2025: A Celebration of Authenticity
By the end of their journey, Paolo, Tania, Vova, and Ivan had not only harvested grapes but also friendships and stories. The Georgian wine harvest 2025 was more than a festival — it was a celebration of authenticity, generosity, and the timeless bond between people and the land.
For Georgianwine.online, this experience reaffirmed a simple truth: to tell the story of Georgian wine, you must live it. And under the Georgian sun, for a few unforgettable days, they truly did.
