New life comes to Georgia’s 12th Century winemaking Tchatchkari Village

New life is returning to an ancient winemaking village in southern Georgia to reflect its historic significance and boost tourist numbers to the settlement that is linked with the famous Vardzia cave city complex.

Too often local and international tourists focused on the Vardzia complex and overlooked the historical and cultural significance of the nearby Tchatchkari Village – but hopefully not for much longer. 

Experts are involved in a new project to restore the 12th Century village that’s located on the north-eastern slope of same the rock formation that houses Vardzia on its southern side. The project aimed to make Tchatchkari Village an important tourist destination on its own.

Tchatchkari Village will be restored and promoted as a historical winemaking village. Photo from Gela Bedianashvili/Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia.

An announcement by the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia today said the settlement's rehabilitation would also benefit nearby towns and villages, as it would bring more tourists into the region.

During its medieval life, Tchatchkari functioned as a wine-pressing spot for the produce that was then delivered to storage cellars in nearby Vardzia.

The village’s historic role will be restored within a project that aimed to firmly place the settlement on the tourist route.

A view of Tchatchkari Village. Photo from Gela Bedianashvili/Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia.

Currently housing just three families due to lack of opportunities for locals, Tchatchkari Village will become a vibrant spot of agricultural tourism and offer visitors to take part in wine pressing activities, said the Ministry in its statement.

Meanwhile inside the village itself, are several sites and areas of historical interest including ancient terraces that now lie damaged due to neglect as well as a wine-pressing tool that’s been cut into rock and vineyards that date back four centuries.

Residential areas include a living hall cut into the rock and a St George Church, while living areas for village resident can also be seen.

The announcement to restore Tchatchkari Village coincided with a fresh project at Vardzia to make the site more accessible for people with limited abilities.