Rtveli: the harvest work behind Kakhetian wine
A concise guide to Rtveli, shared harvest work and Kakhetian pressing and fermentation.

Rtveli is Georgia’s grape harvest, bringing families and communities together for shared work. Georgia Travel describes cellars cleaned and qvevris prepared before picking, followed by pressing and a shared meal.
From vineyard to satsnakheli
The harvest page says picked grapes are pressed on the same day. The page names the satsnakheli press and describes foot pressing as a traditional method. Harvest timing differs by region and year.
Kakhetian cellar work
The National Wine Agency describes Kakhetian pressing followed by qvevri fermentation with grape skins, stalks and pips. Ask a cellar whether work is private and which activities a visit includes.
- Ask which grape or harvest task a host plans to show.
- Confirm visitor access before travelling to a cellar.
- Ask before joining work or taking photographs.
Sources & checks
- Rtveli grape harvestGeorgian National Tourism Administration, harvest work, family participation and regional timing differences. Checked 24 October 2026.
- Kakheti winemaking regionNational Wine Agency of Georgia, Kakhetian varieties, presses, qvevri process and aging. Checked 24 October 2026.
Image credits
- Rtveli--Vintage in Kakheti (1). rugbyxm, CC BY 2.0 Generic. Adapted as a paper collage.
Related guides
Browse all guidesChurchkhela and janjukha: grape sweets by region
Follow the difference between sweet grape juice, concentrated badagi and the finished nut confection.
Read the guideQvevri: clay vessel and inherited practice
A concise guide to qvevri making, cultural transmission and regional storage practices.
Read the guide
