🍇 Grape harvest in Georgia 2026: Rtveli dates, prices and Kakheti wineries

Rtveli in Georgia starts earlier than you can pick a hotel. Grapes in Kakheti are harvested as early as late August, while in the west of the country the harvest runs through November.

The main thing to understand before planning your trip: Rtveli is not a single festival with a fixed date. The harvest moves in a wave from east to west, and each winery works on its own schedule.

For a traveler there are three options: join a real family Rtveli, book a ready-made harvest program at a winery, or attend an autumn wine festival. Below we break down the 2026 harvest window, programs and wineries that welcome guests, plus the practical details people usually forget.

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When Rtveli 2026 takes place

💡 In short:

Kakheti harvests grapes from late August through October, western Georgia joins later.
The exact date for a specific winery is announced a few days before harvest.
Keep your dates flexible: weather in 2026 is unstable and may shift the harvest.
Harvest dates and the festival in Gurjaani: 09/2026, verified on the official website of the Georgian tourism administration

Panorama of Telavi with tiled roofs and mountains

The season opens with Kakheti, the country's largest wine region. Here the harvest usually starts in late August or early September, with the peak in mid-autumn. Western regions, including Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi, join later, and in some corners of western Georgia Rtveli stretches into November.

Region	Grape harvest window
Kakheti	late August-October
Kartli	September-October
Imereti	late September-October
Racha-Lechkhumi	October
Guria and western Georgia	through November

Producers have not yet announced a single start date for 2026. The timing depends on the weather, vineyard elevation, and the winemaker's decision on sugar levels in the grapes. So we don't give you a made-up date; we show the window during which the harvest is already underway.

If Rtveli is the main goal of your trip, go for Kakheti and September. If you're planning a later vacation, look west: Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi. There the grapes come off the vine after Kakheti has already finished fermenting. We'll add new confirmed 2026 dates to this article as they appear.

AIIllustrative image: AI-generated

What happens during Rtveli

Rtveli is the Georgian grape harvest, but the word means more than just picking berries. It represents the culmination of a full year of work in the vineyard.

Fortress walls and courtyard of Batonis Tsikhe in Telavi

The harvested grapes are taken to the marani, the Georgian wine cellar. There they are pressed, and fermentation begins. In wine villages Rtveli has long been a family and community affair: relatives come to help, neighbors drop in to lend a hand, and there's work for everyone.

Georgia's winemaking history spans more than 8,000 years, and the tradition of making wine in qvevri is on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. The official tourism portal of Georgia covers this in detail. Qvevri are large clay vessels buried in the ground.

Every family has its own Rtveli. It can take one day or stretch over several, and the timing depends on when the grapes ripen in a particular vineyard. That's why two neighboring wineries sometimes press their harvest a week apart.

Modern equipment and tradition work side by side during Rtveli. A wooden press sits next to a mechanical crusher, and alongside the qvevri in the ground there are stainless steel tanks. For a guest this is an important observation: Rtveli remains a living tradition, not a staged reenactment for tourists.

Grapes reach the cellar in crates and buckets. Some berries are set aside for eating and for churchkhela, the rest goes to pressing. The process is usually overseen by the eldest family member or a hired winemaker.

The workday during Rtveli starts early, before it gets hot. Grapes are cut by hand, placed in buckets and crates, then taken to the cellar.

AIIllustrative image: AI-generated

The most recognizable image of Rtveli is barefoot grape stomping in the satsnakheli, a wooden trough. This is an important detail when choosing a program. Stomping is not offered everywhere and is often just a show for guests.

Beyond wine, the season is built around food. Women boil churchkhela in fresh grape juice, bake bread, and prepare mtsvadi. The day ends with a supra, a feast with a tamada, celebrating the new harvest.

How tourists participate in Rtveli

Not every winery is open to guests during Rtveli. For winemakers this is the busiest time, and many prefer to focus on wine rather than hosting tourists. So it's better to choose your format in advance.

Family Rtveli

This is the most authentic option: you join a family on the exact day they harvest their grapes. You'll have to work with your hands. Depending on the household, you spend several hours cutting grapes, helping with transport and processing, preparing food, and in the evening you sit down at a shared table.

The catch is obvious: exact dates are almost impossible to predict in advance. Weather changes plans, and a winemaker sometimes decides on a specific vineyard just days ahead.

Winery program

Many wineries offer dedicated guest programs in September and October. These are easier to book because the dates are fixed. The package usually includes picking a small amount of grapes, stomping in the satsnakheli, making churchkhela, a cellar tour, a tasting, and a supra-style lunch.

This format is convenient, but remember: it's a guest program, not necessarily the actual working harvest of a specific family. Ask whether the grapes you pick will go into this year's wine. Large groups can book an entire winery harvest for themselves. This is what people do when they want a specific winery and don't want to depend on someone else's schedule. In that case you need to arrange it in advance, because the good September dates go first.

Wine festival

Public wine festivals in autumn are convenient because they bring dozens of producers together in one place. You'll feel the Rtveli atmosphere, but you won't take part in the actual grape harvest.

The main event of the season is the wine festival in Gurjaani. It takes place in October in Akhtala Park, and since 2019 it has brought together both large wineries and family maranis. According to the Georgian tourism administration, guests are shown how wine is made in qvevri, get to try churchkhela and Kakhetian shoti bread, and the tastings feature hundreds of grape varieties.

The upside of the festival is that in one day you taste wines from dozens of wineries and immediately understand which styles you prefer. The catch is also clear: it's a fair and a concert, not work in the vineyard. If you specifically want to stomp grapes, the festival won't replace that.

Many travelers combine formats. In the morning they go to a winery and work in the vineyard, and in the evening they return to Tbilisi or stay in Telavi. This plan works well when you only have one or two days for Kakheti.

Rtveli 2026 programs

Below are the 2026 season programs that welcome guests on a set schedule. Some operate from Tbilisi, others are based right in Kakheti. We checked the names and terms against the organizers' official pages (as of 09/2026).

Real family rtveli with Eat This! Tours

Where: Kakheti, Kartli and Western Georgia, various small wineries
2026 dates: late August to early November, on a schedule
Price: from 375 GEL per person, including round-trip transfer from Tbilisi (as of 09/2026)
Who it's for: those who want to join a real family harvest as a working shift
Not for: those who need to lock their trip to a specific date
The catch: dates depend on the weather and the winemaker's decision, spots sell out early

Eat This! Food & Wine Tours is perhaps the only operator with a full lineup of ready-made Rtveli programs across Georgia. The first trips start in late August, with most tours running in September and October. There are day-trip and overnight options: grape picking and pressing, a supra and unlimited tastings. For details and booking, see the official Eat This! website.

The company works with small family wineries, so the grapes you pick will actually go into this year's wine. Book early: some dates are already sold out.

Every day rtveli with Eat This! Tours

Where: Telavi and small wineries nearby
2026 dates: every day during harvest season, from late August to early November (as of 09/2026)
Price: from 410 GEL per person, including transfer from Tbilisi (as of 09/2026)
Who it's for: those who need to plan their vacation around fixed dates
Not for: those looking specifically for a working day with one family
The catch: it's a guest program, so part of the time you watch rather than work

If the Real Family schedule doesn't work for you, the same operator runs a more predictable program. It goes every day of the season and isn't tied to a single farm, so it's easier to book. The price includes transfer from Tbilisi, and if you're already in Kakheti, they'll pick you up from Telavi. Picking, grape pressing, tastings and lunch are bundled into one package. For the schedule and terms, see the Eat This! tours page.

Houses with balconies in Telavi against the backdrop of the Caucasus Mountains

Grape harvest day tour with Weekend Travelers Georgia

Where: Kakheti, a small family farm

Gate of Batonis Tsikhe Fortress in Telavi in autumn

2026 date: one September trip, check the exact date with the organizer (as of 09/2026)
Price: around 220 GEL per person, including transfer from Tbilisi (as of 09/2026)
Who it's for: solo travelers and those living in Tbilisi
The catch: only one date per season, and you can't reschedule the trip

Weekend Travelers Georgia usually runs hikes around Tbilisi, and in the fall they organize trips to harvest at a small vineyard in Kakheti. Round-trip transport is included in the price. The vibe here is more about meeting people, so it's a good option if you're traveling alone.

Rtveli at Keti's House

Where: the village of Shilda near Kvareli

2026 dates: every weekend from September to late October (as of 09/2026)
Price: on request
Who it's for: those who want to combine grape picking with an overnight stay in a village
Not for: those looking for a weekday harvest

Keti's House is a family guesthouse that has been welcoming guests for Rtveli for many years. For 2026, the host offers two weekend options. The first is a three-day program from Friday to Sunday: two nights, cooking classes, meals and entertainment. The second option takes up only Saturday: grape picking and pressing with a tasting. For the schedule and booking, see the guesthouse page.

Rtveli at Rostomaant Marani

Where: Telavi
2026 dates: September 15, 19 and 25, plus private dates depending on the weather (as of 09/2026)
Price: from 350 GEL per person, including transfer from Telavi (as of 09/2026)
Who it's for: those who want the full program: vineyard, cellar, dinner
The catch: only three open dates, everything else is on request

This family winery in Telavi runs hands-on Rtveli days. The program includes grape picking in the vineyards outside Telavi, traditional pressing, a tasting of qvevri wines, making mtsvadi, a Georgian cuisine masterclass and a traditional dinner with wine. Beyond the open dates, the winery hosts private groups depending on the weather. See the season page on the Rostomaant Marani website.

Another way to join a harvest in Kakheti without being tied to a specific winery: wine tours of the region on GetYourGuide.

Wineries open to guests

If you are traveling to Kakheti on your own, these wineries welcome tourists during harvest season. Everywhere you need to arrange your visit in advance, ideally a couple of days before. We checked the terms and contacts against the wineries' official pages, verified on 09/12/2026 on the wineries' official websites (as of 09/2026).

Plan your route based on distances from Telavi: most wineries are within a half-hour drive of the city, and Kisiskhevi is just fifteen minutes away. In one day you can realistically fit one winery with a full program or two with a short tasting. If you don't have a car, arrange a transfer in advance, because catching a taxi between villages is difficult.

The visit format varies from winery to winery. Some places will let you cut grapes, serve a supra, and bring in live music. Others will take you through the cellar and pour a tasting without any work in the vineyard. Before booking, ask whether the program includes the physical part and how much time you'll spend among the vines.

Also clarify food and lodging separately. Some wineries serve a supra-style lunch, while others ask you to let them know about meals in advance. Hotels at wineries during harvest season are best booked together with the program, not at the last minute.

Decide separately how many wineries you can handle during the trip. A full program takes a whole day, while a short tasting with a tour fits into a couple of hours. In September daylight is still long, so two short stops along the way work without rushing.

Wine Yard N1

The village of Akhalsopeli near Kvareli, about fifty minutes from Telavi (by map). The winery is run by the fourth generation of the family and makes qvevri wines from grapes of the Kindzmarauli microzone. During the season they welcome guests every day in the afternoon, and the program lasts about four hours: grape picking and pressing, a supra, and live folk music. This is one of the most beautiful places in Kakheti for lunch and a tasting. For reservations and details, contact the winery through Facebook or WhatsApp.

Berika Winery

Velistsikhe, about forty-five minutes from Telavi (by map). This family winery opens its vineyard throughout September, with tours available on request. The price depends on group size, and a discount is possible if you arrive in your own vehicle from Tbilisi. The program includes a vineyard walk, a tasting, a supra-style lunch, and a churchkhela workshop.

Schuchmann Wines Chateau

Kisiskhevi, about fifteen minutes from Telavi (by map). One of the most polished options: a hotel, restaurant, wine spa, and private villas. The full Rtveli package includes grape picking and pressing, a tour of the estate, bread and churchkhela workshops, a chacha distillation demonstration, and a supra with Schuchmann wines. For details and overnight bookings, see the hotel's website.

The property is considered upper-tier for the region (as of 09/2026). If you want to spend a couple of nights nearby, hotels in Kakheti on Trip.com will show available options.

Giuaani Winery

Manavi, less than an hour from Tbilisi (by map). The winery sits on the road to Sighnaghi, so it suits those who don't want to drive deep into Kakheti. A private harvest here is planned for mid-September, with exact dates confirmed separately by the team. The estate has a small hotel and a pool, and the local restaurant is considered one of the best in the area. See the official Giuaani website.

Kakhetian House Vakirelebi

Vakiri, about fifteen minutes from Sighnaghi (by map). An organic format: grape picking and pressing, churchkhela, a farm lunch with live music. The founder, Tamara Ninidze, personally guides guests through the vineyard. For groups of seven or more, a transfer from Tbilisi is included in the price (as of 09/2026).

TEMI Community

The village of Gremi near Telavi, about twenty-five minutes from Telavi (by map). A social enterprise where more than seventy people of varying abilities work on agricultural projects. Grape picking is possible here in September, along with churchkhela, khinkali workshops, meals, tastings, and bicycle rental. Picking and pressing require a minimum of ten people, so it's better to join an existing group or put together your own.

Chateau Mosmieri

Kisiskhevi, about fifteen minutes from Telavi (by map). A hotel-winery with a large outdoor pool and views of the Greater Caucasus. Harvest celebrations run here every day in September: grape picking, cooking workshops, meals, and lodging. The format is more polished and secular than at family maranis. See the Chateau Mosmieri page for details.

Nekresi Estate

Kvareli, about thirty minutes from Telavi (by map). A secluded winery-hotel on the road to the Nekresi monastery. For autumn they offer grape picking and pressing, a tasting, a lunch with mtsvadi, and a churchkhela workshop. A good option for those combining Rtveli with the monasteries of Kakheti.

Agarani Estate

On the outskirts of Telavi, about fifteen minutes from the city center (by map). The hotel and winery welcome guests, including walk-ins without a reservation. During the season they hold grape picking and pressing and churchkhela workshops. If you're based in Telavi, this is an easy stop in the evening after exploring the city.

Practical tips

Book in advance, but stay flexible. Rtveli dates are confirmed at the last minute and change due to weather and sugar levels in the grapes. The 2026 season has been unstable: rains, flooding, and a cool summer in many areas may push the harvest back.

Clarify what's included in the price. The word Rtveli is used loosely in tourism. Ask directly whether you'll be joining a working harvest or a guest program, and whether picking, pressing, lunch, and tastings are included.

Bring work clothes and shoes. Vineyards are dusty or muddy, and grape juice leaves stains. Garden gloves and a spare pair of socks will come in handy.

Real Rtveli is work. If you're visiting a family, be ready to actually cut grapes, not just pose with a basket. There will also be pauses while the grapes are transported and processed.

Plan your way back. Rtveli ends with a feast with wine and chacha. You need a sober driver behind the wheel, or book a taxi in advance, or stay overnight in wine country. If you're traveling on your own, compare car rental in Georgia and train tickets from Tbilisi to Telavi.

What to see after Rtveli

Wine season in Georgia doesn't end with Kakheti. In the west, it's worth basing yourself in Kutaisi and visiting the wineries of Imereti: they make more acidic white wines there and also welcome guests. In Tbilisi, tastings and wine bars are easy to fit into the evening of your arrival or departure.

In Kakheti itself, there's more to add to your itinerary besides wine. Telavi with its fortress and market, Sighnaghi with its city wall, the Nekresi monastery, and the Kindzmarauli vineyards. If you don't have a car, Telavi and Sighnaghi are easy to reach from Tbilisi by public transport, and from there you can take a taxi or a transfer from the winery.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When does Rtveli start in 2026?

In Kakheti, grapes are harvested from late August through October, and the western regions join in later. Producers have not announced a single start date for the 2026 season: the timing depends on the weather and the sugar level in the grapes. If Rtveli is your main reason for going, book Kakheti for mid-September.

Where in Georgia does Rtveli take place?

Rtveli happens throughout wine-producing Georgia, but Kakheti offers the most programs. In the west, the harvest shifts to Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi, and in Guria it runs until November. For a short trip, use Telavi as your base and choose wineries within a half-hour drive of the city.

Can you join Rtveli without a reservation?

Without a reservation, it's risky. Wineries ask for at least a couple of days' notice because the schedule changes with the weather. The exception is a few winery hotels near Telavi that accept walk-ins. But always confirm the specific harvest location in advance.

How much does it cost to take part in Rtveli?

The price depends on the format and length. A one-day trip with a transfer from Tbilisi costs about 220 GEL per person, and programs with dinner and a tasting start at 350 GEL (as of 09/2026). Multi-day options with an overnight stay cost more. The exact amount is set by the individual winery.

What should you wear for grape picking?

Clothes you don't mind ruining: grape juice leaves stubborn stains, and vineyards are dusty or muddy. Bring closed-toe shoes, a cap, and garden gloves. A warm sweater is also a good idea, since evenings in Kakheti get cool by October. For the evening feast, something looser will come in handy.

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In short: what's worth booking

Rtveli in 2026 is easiest to plan around Kakheti: the season starts there first. If you have fixed dates, book a winery program, and for a real working harvest, go to small family wineries. If you're going for the atmosphere, plan your trip around the wine festival in Gurjaani in October.

If you want a real harvest during a working shift: book Real Family Rtveli.
If your dates are fixed: book Every Day Rtveli.
If you're in Tbilisi for a couple of days: book the one-day Weekend Travelers trip.
If you want to stay overnight in a village: book Keti's House.

You can compare dates and prices for the season's programs on GetYourGuide.

Rtveli 2026 in Kakheti: where to pick grapes and how much it costs