Telavi: Rostomaant Marani Family Winery Tour & Cooking Class

Explore Georgia’s Heartland with the Rostomaant Marani Family Winery Tour & Cooking Class

This 10-hour tour in Kakheti, Georgia, offers an authentic glimpse into Georgian wine, cuisine, and hospitality. Starting from Tbilisi, the experience features a visit to the Telavi bazar, a guided tour of Rostomaant Marani’s historic wine cellar, and a hands-on Khinkali cooking class. The tour is ideal for those curious about Georgia’s ancient winemaking traditions and local food culture, with options to upgrade for a private transfer and overnight stay.

With a focus on immersive activities like tasting Qvevri wines and making traditional Khinkali, this experience combines cultural discovery with culinary fun. While the full-day itinerary covers many highlights, it is suitable for travelers who enjoy a well-rounded, interactive day. A key consideration is that the tour departs from Dzveli Tbilisi at 11:00 AM and returns around 7:30 PM, making for a long but fulfilling day.

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Key Points

• Authentic Georgian wine and food experience starting from Tbilisi
• Visit to Telavi bazar with local produce and spices
• Guided tour of Rostomaant Marani’s 200-year-old Qvevri wine cellar
• Hands-on Khinkali cooking class with homemade cheese, bread, and jams
• Tasting a curated selection of Qvevri wines, spirits, and brandy
• Optional overnight stay at the cozy guesthouse near the winery

Scenic Drive Through the Gombori Mountains

The tour begins at 11:00 AM with a personal pickup in a Honda Fit from Dzveli Tbilisi. The drive takes you through the Gombori Mountains, offering scenic views of Georgia’s traditional villages and lush landscapes. This peaceful route sets a relaxed tone for the day ahead, with the owner of Rostomaant Marani personally guiding the trip.

Expect a comfortable transfer that emphasizes the region’s natural beauty. This scenic drive is a highlight on its own, giving travelers a taste of Kakheti’s picturesque environment while traveling to the first stop.

Visiting the Vibrant Telavi Bazar

Your first stop is the Telavi local bazaar, a lively space filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, and homemade cheese. The market also features churchkhela and a variety of Georgian spices, offering a sensory introduction to local flavors. Exploring the bazaar provides a chance to see authentic everyday life and possibly pick up some souvenirs.

The market visit lasts approximately an hour, providing enough time to soak in the vibrant atmosphere without feeling rushed. It’s a great way to understand the ingredients that make Georgian cuisine so distinctive.

Guided Tour of Rostomaant Marani’s Historic Wine Cellar

At Rostomaant Marani, the guide leads you through a 200-year-old wine cellar and explains Kakheti’s tradition of Qvevri winemaking, recognized by UNESCO. You’ll observe the clay vessels still used today to ferment and age wine, illustrating Georgia’s 8,000-year-old wine heritage.

The cellar tour includes a tasting of various Qvevri wines such as Rkatsiteli Qvevri Amber Dry and Saperavi Qvevri Red Dry, along with aged spirits like Chacha and Qvevri Wine Brandy aged five years in oak. This detailed exploration of wine production emphasizes tradition and craftsmanship, offering wine enthusiasts an authentic experience.

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Hands-On Khinkali Making Master Class

At 2:30 PM, the tour shifts to a Khinkali cooking class led by your host. Participants learn how to fold and cook Georgian dumplings filled with meat or vegetarian options, depending on preference. The class is interactive, with guidance on kneading dough, filling, and shaping.

After mastering the technique, everyone enjoys eating the Khinkali accompanied by homemade cheese, local bread, seasonal jams, and house Qvevri wine. Vegetarians are warmly welcomed with a special cheese-filled Khinkali crafted from house-produced cheese. This activity provides a delicious insight into Georgian culinary traditions.

Tasting Curated Wines and Distilled Spirits

Following the cooking class, the tasting session features several handcrafted wines and aged spirits. Highlights include the Rkatsiteli Qvevri Amber Dry Wine, the Saperavi Qvevri Red Dry Wine, and dessert wines like Rostwine 1 and Rostwine 2.

Plus, you sample Georgian pomace Brandy (Chacha) and a Qvevri wine brandy aged five years in oak. These tasting sessions showcase Georgia’s wide array of traditional and modern beverages, giving a comprehensive view of its wine culture.

Relaxing in the Cellar and Photo Opportunities

After tasting, there’s ample time to relax, take photos, or simply absorb the tranquil atmosphere of the wine cellar. The peaceful environment allows for appreciation of the craftsmanship involved in producing these wines and spirits. Visitors often find the setting perfect for reflection and capturing memorable images.

This part of the tour offers a gentle pause before heading back to Tbilisi, with the scenic Gombori Mountains as the backdrop on the return journey.

Return Trip and Optional Overnight Stay

At 6:00 PM, the return trip begins, retracing the scenic mountain route back to Dzveli Tbilisi, arriving around 7:30 PM. The tour concludes with warm memories of Georgian food, wine, and hospitality.

For those wishing to extend their visit, an optional overnight stay at the Rostomaant Marani Guest House is available for 75 GEL per person, which includes breakfast. This offers a relaxing way to enjoy more of Kakheti’s tranquil countryside and further explore its wine and culinary scene.

Practical Details and Booking Flexibility

The tour departs daily at 11:00 AM, with a small group size limited to 10 participants. The experience includes round-trip transportation, a Telavi bazar visit, a Khinkali master class, lunch, a guided cellar tour, and wine tasting.

Booking is flexible; travelers can reserve now and pay later, with free cancellation available up to 24 hours in advance. The tour can be customized with an upgraded private transfer and overnight stay. For those already in Telavi, a local option offers the Khinkali and wine tasting for 150 per person (transport not included).

Who Will Enjoy This Tour the Most?

This tour appeals to those interested in authentic Georgian wine and food, appreciating hands-on experiences like cooking and wine tasting. It suits travelers who enjoy scenic drives, exploring local markets, and learning about traditional crafts. The small group size ensures a personal touch, making it ideal for those seeking an intimate, culture.

However, since the full-day program lasts around 10 hours, it’s best suited for travelers comfortable with long, active days. The optional overnight stay offers a relaxing extension, perfect for those who want to linger longer in Kakheti.

The Sum Up: A Genuine Taste of Kakheti’s Wine and Cuisine

The Rostomaant Marani Family Winery Tour & Cooking Class delivers a well-rounded experience of Georgia’s rich wine heritage and culinary traditions. Its highlights—visiting Telavi bazar, touring historic Qvevri cellars, and making Khinkali—offer a truly engaging glimpse into local life.

While the full-day format involves a long schedule, the combination of learning, tasting, and exploring makes it worthwhile for anyone eager to discover Kakheti beyond typical sightseeing. The option to stay overnight adds extra value for those wanting to extend their experience.

This tour suits foodies, wine lovers, and cultural enthusiasts looking for an authentic, interactive day in Georgia’s most famous wine region. It provides a meaningful connection to tradition, flavored with warmth and hospitality that Georgia is famous for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the tour?
The tour includes personal driver (Rostomaant Marani owner), round-trip transportation, Telavi bazar visit, Khinkali master class, lunch, guided cellar tour, and wine tasting.

Can I stay overnight at the guesthouse?
Yes, there is an option to stay overnight at the guesthouse near the cellar for 75 GEL per person, including breakfast.

What wines are tasted during the tour?
The tasting features Rkatsiteli Qvevri Amber Dry Wine, Saperavi Qvevri Red Dry Wine, along with dessert wines and aged spirits such as Chacha and Qvevri Wine Brandy.

Is the tour suitable for vegetarians?
Vegetarians are warmly welcomed, and the Khinkali are available with a special cheese filling made from house-produced cheese.

How long does the tour last?
The full experience lasts approximately 10 hours, from 11:00 AM to around 7:30 PM.

Is transportation provided?
Yes, round-trip transportation is included in the standard package, with the option to upgrade to a private transfer.

What is the best way to book the tour?
Reservations can be made with flexible payment options; you can reserve now and pay later, with full cancellation available up to 24 hours before the tour.

Is there a group size limit?
Yes, the tour is limited to 10 participants, ensuring a small, personalized experience.

Can I join the tour if I am already in Telavi?
Yes, there is a local option for those already in Telavi, offering Khinkali and wine tasting for 150 per person (transport not included).

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