Karseladze's Winery in Velistsikhe plans to expand its tourism offering by creating a space where visitors can enjoy wine tastings, food and overnight stays. Founder Salome Matiashvili said the family has been developing the winery gradually since 2015 using its own revenues.
The winery currently sells its wine only on site and has no immediate plans to enter retail chains. Matiashvili said the family is focused on completing the winery’s development first, after which it plans to explore selling its wines through stores.
Plans also include a hotel, dining area and spaces for various masterclasses. Construction of the accommodation facilities began before the pandemic after guests expressed interest in staying overnight, but the project was suspended. Matiashvili expects to resume work if the current season is successful and estimates the full project could take around 18 months.
According to Matiashvili, some foreign visitors continue their Georgian experience after returning home, including by visiting Georgian restaurants. She said this creates additional motivation for the small winery to promote not only wine tourism but also Georgian cuisine and culture.
