Kakheti is preparing for the annual grape harvest, or Rtveli, with Karseladze's Winery in Velistsikhe expecting a good crop this year. Founder Salome Matiashvili said the vineyards were not affected by hail, with the winery now waiting for the grapes to reach the required sugar level before harvesting and pressing them in traditional Qvevri.
Matiashvili said the vintage is important for small wineries not only as the start of the winemaking process but also as a key part of the tourism season in Kakheti. However, she said infrastructure works in Velistsikhe have affected tourist flows this year, with roadworks disrupting cooperation with several tour companies and resulting in fewer visitors than in previous years.
She said the infrastructure project in Velistsikhe has now resumed and expressed hope that the works will be completed successfully. Improved roads and access, she noted, could encourage tour companies that previously suspended cooperation with local wineries to return, helping increase the number of visitors to the village.
According to Matiashvili, the winery’s main advantage is the experience it offers beyond wine tasting, including its historic setting, Georgian cuisine and cultural activities. Interest from foreign visitors remains particularly strong, with the number of American tourists increasing this year. Karseladze Winery has operated in Velistsikhe since 2015 and welcomes guests at a historic winery built in 1802, offering wine and chacha tastings, an ethnographic experience and Georgian cooking workshops.
