Tushetian Guda Cheese Festival 2026 – October 11 in Kvemo Alvani

The Tushetian Guda Cheese Festival 2026 will take place on October 11 in the village of Kvemo Alvani, Akhmeta Municipality, bringing together local farmers, food producers, artisans, chefs and visitors interested in Georgian food culture and rural tourism.

The festival will be held at the Itabani Agro-tourism Farm, approximately 5 km from Alaverdi Monastery. Admission is free.

The event offers an opportunity to discover Tushetian Guda cheese and other traditional products while experiencing local cuisine, wine, crafts, music and Tushetian cultural traditions.

Tushetian Guda Cheese Festival 2026 – When and Where?

The festival will take place on October 11, 2026, from 12:00 to 17:00.

📍 Location: Itabani Agro-tourism Farm, Kvemo Alvani, Akhmeta Municipality, Kakheti
🕛 Time: 12:00-17:00
🎟️ Admission: Free

The location is approximately 5 km from Alaverdi Monastery.

For the exact location, visitors can use the following Google Maps location.

What to Expect at the Tushetian Guda Cheese Festival

The festival will bring together more than 25 farmers and food producers offering a variety of traditional products, including:

Tushetian Guda cheese made from sheep’s milk
Guda cheese made from cow’s milk
Dried kalti
Chogi
Erbo
Butter
Other traditional local products

Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet more than 25 local artisans and discover traditional handicrafts.

The festival is designed not only as a food event, but also as an opportunity to experience the cultural and rural heritage of Kakheti.

Guda Cheese Competition and Festival Program

One of the highlights of the Tushetian Guda Cheese Festival 2026 will be a competition for the best sheep’s-milk and cow’s-milk Guda cheese.

The cheeses will be evaluated by a professional jury.

The festival program will also include:

A farmers’ market
A local entrepreneurs’ market
A Guda cheese competition
A culinary masterclass
Children’s activities
Local food corners
Traditional music and dance
Tushetian cultural performances

This combination makes the event particularly interesting for visitors looking for authentic food and cultural experiences in Georgia.

Culinary Masterclass Featuring Guda Cheese

A special culinary masterclass will demonstrate how Guda cheese can be used in traditional and contemporary dishes.

Food corners at the festival will offer popular Georgian and local dishes, including khinkali, kotori, mtsvadi and other regional foods.

Visitors will also be able to taste Itabani natural wines and Tushetian Aludi.

Food is an important part of Georgia’s tourism experience, and events such as this contribute to the development of gastronomy tourism in Georgia.

Tushetian Folklore, Music and Dance

The cultural program will feature Tushetian folklore, traditional music and dance.

Performances are planned by ensembles and cultural groups including Keselo, Genia and the Folklore House, among others.

For visitors, this creates an opportunity to experience Tushetian traditions in an authentic local environment rather than simply seeing them as part of a staged cultural attraction.

Children’s Area

The festival will also include a dedicated children’s area, making the event suitable for families.

The combination of food, crafts, cultural activities and entertainment provides visitors of different ages with an opportunity to spend several hours exploring the local culture and traditions of Kakheti.

Guda Cheese and Tushetian Food Culture

Tushetian Guda cheese is one of the distinctive traditional foods associated with Georgia’s mountain regions.

The cheese is traditionally connected with Tusheti’s pastoral culture and is an important part of the region’s culinary identity.

Events dedicated to Guda cheese help connect local producers with visitors while creating greater visibility for traditional Georgian food products.

The festival therefore goes beyond a simple food market and highlights the relationship between local agriculture, traditional food production, culture and tourism.

The Festival as Part of Agrotourism in Georgia

The Tushetian Guda Cheese Festival 2026 is closely connected with the development of agrotourism in Georgia.

Visitors can meet farmers and local producers, learn more about traditional food production and discover products that are closely connected with the region.

Agrotourism is becoming an increasingly important part of the tourism experience, particularly for travelers interested in authentic local products and rural destinations.

The event in Kvemo Alvani is another example of how local food and agricultural traditions can become an attraction for domestic and international visitors.

October in Kakheti – Wine, Food and Local Festivals

October is one of the most interesting periods to visit Kakheti.

The region is closely associated with Georgia’s wine culture, and autumn brings together wine, food, harvest traditions and local festivals.

Travelers interested in this side of Georgia can also explore Travel News’ coverage of the Gurjaani Wine Festival 2026 and learn more about wine tourism in Georgia.

Combining a visit to a food festival with wine experiences can provide travelers with a broader understanding of Kakheti’s tourism identity.

Tushetian Guda Cheese Festival and Gastronomy Tourism

Food is increasingly becoming an important reason for travelers to explore specific destinations.

The Tushetian Guda Cheese Festival 2026 brings together several elements of Georgia’s gastronomy tourism: local products, traditional cuisine, farmers, artisans, wine and cultural performances.

For international visitors, events like this can offer a more direct connection with Georgian traditions and regional food culture.

For local producers, festivals can also create an opportunity to introduce their products to new audiences and strengthen their presence within Georgia’s tourism economy.

How to Get to the Tushetian Guda Cheese Festival

The festival will take place at Itabani Agro-tourism Farm in Kvemo Alvani, Akhmeta Municipality, Kakheti.

The venue is approximately 5 km from Alaverdi Monastery.

Visitors can use the following Google Maps location to reach the festival venue.

Why Visit the Tushetian Guda Cheese Festival 2026?

The festival is worth visiting for travelers who want to experience Georgian food and culture beyond the country’s most popular tourist attractions.

Among the main reasons to attend are:

Taste authentic Tushetian Guda cheese
Meet local farmers and producers
Discover traditional Georgian food
Explore local handicrafts
Attend a Guda cheese competition
Participate in a culinary masterclass
Enjoy Tushetian folklore and dance
Taste local wine and Tushetian Aludi
Experience rural tourism in Kakheti
Spend a day surrounded by local food and traditions

The festival also provides an opportunity to discover how Georgia’s agricultural traditions are becoming part of the country’s modern tourism experience.

Tushetian Guda Cheese Festival 2026 – Event Details

Date: October 11, 2026
Time: 12:00-17:00
Location: Itabani Agro-tourism Farm, Kvemo Alvani, Akhmeta Municipality, Kakheti
Admission: Free

The Tushetian Guda Cheese Festival 2026 will bring together traditional food, local producers, crafts, gastronomy and Tushetian cultural heritage in one event.

For travelers visiting Kakheti in October, it can be an opportunity to experience a different side of the region – one centered around local communities, food traditions and rural tourism.