The cellar of Akaki Khorava has been operating since 2018 in Baghdati district, the village named Rokiti. The head of the family, Gocha Khorava, produces several varieties of wine. Family also host guests – both inside and outside the winery, specifically in the yard. The small family winery has a table and an appropriate environment typical for Georgian hospitality.
Gocha Khorava:
A small family wine cellar is named after one of my three children. This place is located in the basement of my house, underground, where it is naturally cool during the summer heat, and in the winter the fireplace is burning.
The total area is about 120 sq m, out of which 40 sq m is the storage room itself, where the wine tanks are located. The alcoholic beverage storage room is protected from light and is designed to maintain a temperature appropriate for storing wine – 15-17 degrees. In July-August and the first half of September, when it is the hot days, I am prepared for this time as well and in the thick brick walls I regulate the temperature with air conditioner.
In 2018, with one of the winemakers, I tasted a blend of Tsolikouri and Otskhanuri Sapere. As you know, Otskhanuri Sapere is one of the unique red grape varieties in Georgia, which one day will have his say. It is distinguished by its rather dark tone and an excess of coloring matter. By adding just 5-10% of Otskhanuri Sapere to white wine, it is possible to get a red wine. I became so interested in this topic that in the same year I made a blend of Tsolikouri and Otskhanuri Sapere and got very good results.
I had been producing Tsolikouri and Aladasturi before as well and quite successfully, but when I gave for try the new product to tourists, it was so well received that they offered to bottle it. Since then, I have gradually started developing in this direction.
Today, I can offer about ten wines to tourists who come to us, both white and red, depending on their taste. This year I started making several other blends. For example: Tsitsqa-Tsolikouri, which is one of the famous drinks in Georgia, and I also made a blend of Tsolikouri and Krakhuna. We planted such unique varieties as: Adanasuri, Kundza, White Kapistoni, which will yield a harvest in the near future and our assortment will grow even more.
Generally, I grow grapes mainly in my own vineyards, but I buy some varieties. This year the vineyards have not “had any problems”. Moreover, the harvest has started early almost everywhere. It is a very good harvest and everyone noticed it.
As I have already mentioned, I have three children: Akaki, Tamar and Elene. My wife is a good cook and hosts guests wonderfully. We are all involved in one thing and, along with tasting drinks, we also treat tourists with dinner. If folklore and folk songs are added to all this, then it has an even greater effect on tourists.
We also have a comfortable yard, whether it is a bathroom or an entertainment area, tailored to the interests of our guests. Our territory is used for various events. We also cooperate with guides, who bring tourists to our cellar,attend them the harvest or come to us to celebrate birthdays.
Guests who come to us often express a desire to spend the night, and future plans include building a cottage in the yard, where it will be possible to accommodate those who wish. Delegations from different countries, or individual visitors, leave our family winery very satisfied, enchanted by the Imeretian hospitality, and this fact gives me great joy.
