The 
spirit that has been carried throughout centuries still exist as a living tradition. Rtveli is a Georgian word that stands for grape harvest, like many other words for viticulture and winemaking – Georgians added Rtveli to their wine-vocabulary. Rtveli is not just a harvest, Georgians still view this activity as a celebration. And so we do today – our Rtveli tour programmes that start in the last week of August and continue until the end of November, we take our guests from region to region introducing this spectacular local grape harvest celebration tradition.
The meaning of Rtvali is almost mystical and sacred. Therefore for locals it is much more that just a harvest of ripened grapes. After the delivery of the grapes to their collection sites Georgians begin making a special energy bar known as churchkhela from the grape juice, flour and nuts. For the evenings they gather for a party filled with the folk songs and delicious traditional dishes. Ceremonial part of Rtveli also includes qvevri cleaning and grape crushing at village wine cellars.
The celebration of the spirit of the grape harvest has been carried out through centuries and still exists as a living tradition. Rtveli is the primary Georgian word that means grape harvest; like many other words for viticulture and winemaking, Georgians added Rtveli to their wine-vocabulary in the ancient past. Rtveli is not just a harvest, as Georgians still view this activity as a great celebration. Queen Tamada organizes Rtveli tour programs that begin in the last week of August and continue until the end of November as we take our guests from region to region introducing them to this spectacular local event, one-part grape harvest, one-part celebration, and all parts tradition.
After the delivery of the grapes to their collection sites Georgians begin making a special energy bar known as churchkhela from grape juice, flour, and nuts. For the evenings residents gather for a party filled with the folk songs and delicious traditional dishes. The ceremonial aspects of Rtveli also includes Qvevri cleaning and grape crushing in the village wine cellars.
