Scattered across the lands of Western Georgia, the traditional Oda houses, guardians of ancient family
wine cellars, clay qvevris, and timeless vintages, offer the perfect gateway into Georgia’s uninterrupted
8,000-year-old winemaking journey. Here you can not only witness but take part in the living tradition of
qvevri winemaking, a craft so unique that UNESCO has recognized it as part of the world’s Intangible
Cultural Heritage. This path is also an initiation into ampelography, the study of grape varieties and their
stories. You will discover how Imereti gave birth to the harmonious wines Tsolikouri; how, on the sun-
drenched slopes of Racha’s micro-zones, Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli combine to create the celebrated
Khvanchkara; how in Lechkhumi, at the foot of the mystical Khvamli Mountain, thrives the rare and
singular ruby-red Usakhelauri; how in Samegrelo, the legendary Ojaleshi carries centuries of tradition;
and how, in Guria, the sparkling Chkhaveri fills the table with joy, laughter, and life. On this soil, where
the fragrance of sea and mountain mingle, winemaking has risen to the level of high art. And in the Oda
houses, you are invited to share in that artistry. Guided by winemakers, you can walk through neatly
tended vineyards, witness the pressing of grapes, and take part in the ceremonial opening of a Qvevri.
Family cellars host workshops, tastings, and intimate feasts where the host himself teaches guests the
art of the Georgian Tamada (the toastmaster) and the philosophy behind each toast. Here, too, you may
purchase the unique wines produced by these families. Each bottle is one of a kind, never mass-
produced, carrying the signature of a single household. Every vintage tells the story of one season, one
village, one vineyard, yet the ending of that story is left for every taster to imagine.