Restoration of Ancient Vine Terraces 

Called "Khizavabris Darijebi"

#First harvest after 400 years 

#Restored historical Meskhetian vine terraces 

#came back 24 unique meskhetian grape species 

#First terrace wines after 400 years

​Meskheti, a historical region of winemaking..

On October 3, the winery Vardzia Terraces harvested restored historical grape varieties for the first time in approximately 400 years. The harvest took place on the historic Khizabavra Meskhetian terraces, in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of southern Georgia.

“Our company began the rehabilitation of approximately 30 hectares of land. The first 12 hectares have already been restored, and 24 historical grape varieties have been planted there. These unique varieties had not been cultivated on these terraces for nearly four centuries. Soon, we will have the first wines made from these ancient grapes.”

Natenadze describes the project as one of the most demanding undertakings of his life.

“I have put my full energy and my heart into this project. The climate here is extremely harsh. Winters are severe, and an entire harvest can be destroyed in a single day. Growing such precious grapes in these conditions is the result of enormous dedication and hard work. Every winter, we cover nearly 30,000 vines to protect them and keep them alive.”

The project also brought together the work of Georgian scientists and grape collectors. Scientist Levan Ujmajuridze and Giorgi Natenadze, a collector and researcher of Meskhetian grape varieties, made significant contributions to identifying and preserving rare Meskhetian vines, including work conducted at the Saguramo Scientific Research Center.

Many unique Meskhetian grape varieties had already disappeared. Others survived only as isolated vines scattered across forests, abandoned terraces, villages, and remote landscapes.

The restoration of the terraces therefore became more than simply a viticultural project. It became an attempt to reconnect surviving vines with the land where they had historically been cultivated.

Today, approximately 24 historical Meskhetian grape varieties have been planted on the restored terraces.

The first harvest represents the tangible result of years of exploration, propagation, planting, and painstaking work.

For Meskheti, it is the return of a lost agricultural landscape. For Georgia, it is another chapter in the story of one of the world's oldest wine cultures.

Meskheti is considered one of the ancient centers of viticulture in Georgia, and some researchers have suggested that certain ancient Georgian grape varieties may have origins in this region.

Ancient Meskheti was once characterized by stone-walled terraces, where vineyards and orchards were cultivated across the mountainous landscape. The region was renowned for its distinctive grapes and wines.

Evidence of this viticultural tradition can still be found in the landscape: centuries-old vines, abandoned vineyard terraces, and Satsnakheli — traditional wine presses carved directly into stone.

For centuries, viticulture was deeply embedded in the life of Meskheti.

Then history intervened.

By the end of the 16th century, the traditional cultivation of grapes on many Meskhetian terraces had come to an end. Centuries of conflict, occupation, and social upheaval led to the destruction and abandonment of vineyards, and many ancient Meskhetian grape varieties were lost forever.

Four centuries later, the vines are returning.

The terraces are alive again.

And the first wines are being made from grapes that had not been harvested there for generations.

“This is not simply about planting vines,” says Giorgi Natenadze. “It is about bringing back something that history almost erased.”

Terraced Vineyards

Vineyards in Chachkari, pursuant to the geographic characteristics of the region, were arranged on terraces surrounding the village.  This allowed for efficient use of the rugged land and helped to effectively harness the sun’s energy for agriculture.

Located just outside of the built, central part of the village, there is a unique still living grapevine, which is estimated to be four centuries old.

Rock-Hewn Wine Presses

Wine presses carved from the rock cliffs are some of the most prominent objects of cultural heritage on the site. There are over 50 such wine presses located throughout and even above the village. The abundance of presses once again attests to the long-standing tradition of wine-making in the region.  One of the fascinating artifacts is a wine press with the capacity to process up to four tons of wine at a time. 

The Village Revitalization Project seeks to transform Chackari village into an open-air, living history museum. There are many such successful museums of this kind in the modern world and they enjoy significant popularity amongst tourists, both domestic and international.  Contemporary trends in tourism have long transcended the usual tourist routes. This museum-come-to-life concept responds to one of the biggest current trends in global tourism, wherein tourists seek out unique, rare experiences in lieu of, or in addition to, the traditional sightseeing locations.  

Imagine a traditional donkey cart, or Uremi, transporting you, not only physically but also temporally, from Vardzia to Chachkari, where you will experience the 12th century come alive before your eyes. Imagine a traditional Meskhetian village nestled on the ancient architectural and cultural landscape, the villagers welcoming you in traditional, King-Tamar era attire, the hosts offering you Meskhetian food, spending the night in the flat-roofed houses, participating in traditional games, making and tasting wine with local villagers, trying on traditional clothes and experiencing traditional customs.  You will also be able to visit museums, buy souvenirs, and learn about the unique history and culture of old Meskheti through the eyes of Chachkari residents and the architecture of Chachkari village.  

The Revitalization Project involves:

Rehabilitating and preserving the built heritage of Chachkari so that the existing unique historic buildings can support touristic objectives.  For example, it is possible to transform the cave houses into unique accommodation experiences.  Different museums, eateries, and other amenities can furthermore fill Meskhetian Darbazis houses; Catering with Meskhetian food and wine.  This presents a unique experience for both domestic and international tourists; Organizing festivals and other events.  This will generate an additional source of tourism inflow and income for local residents.  Meskhetian wine, Meskhetian cuisine, folk crafts, festivals and events; Creating tourist attractions (funfair rides and games) pursuant to the village landscape, e.g. Rock climbing paths that are popular among adventure seekers.  

Chachkari will be the first and the only open-air living history museum in Georgia and it will, without a doubt, attract massive tourist interest.

Chachkari Today

Today Chachkari is an abandoned village.  The population left it decades ago and relocated to the nearby village of Gogasheni in pursuit of better living conditions.  The locals are primarily involved in livestock rearing. There is only one animal farm in Chachkari now. Sadly, the local population uses the village and its surroundings as pastures, eroding historical and cultural monuments and protected territories in the process.  Considering this, the rehabilitation of the village is an urgent matter to ensure that the village can be well preserved for future generations and to ensure its rightful place in the patrimony of Georgia.

Restoring the village was first proposed by a local man whose family hails from Chachkari, Mr. Giorgi Natenadze.  Today he is one of the founders and initiators of the Chachkari project.  Giorgi was instrumental in putting forward the issue of assigning the status of national cultural heritage to the site. He managed to motivate and involve various stakeholders in the process, which has helped the project to be structured, grounded in reality, and feasible to implement.  Giorgi Natenadze is at the forefront of the Chachkari Development Fund, which unites the villagers under one goal and will act as one of the organizers of the project in the future. 

Location

The village of Chachkari is located in Akhalkhalaki Municipality, 30 kilometers south of Aspindza, in a valley to the immediate north-east of the Vardzia Cave Monastery.  It is this location that makes Chachkari such a unique tourism destination. What gives Chachkari a competitive edge is the site’s proximity to one of the most prominent historic monuments in Georgia – Vardzia, a mere 10 minutes away from Chachkari.

Chachkari, as a historic and cultural monument, is part of the region’s main tourism destination chain within the Khertvisi-Vardzia Cultural Landscape, which includes: Khertvisi Fortress, Vanis Kvabebi (Vani’s Caves), Tmogvi Fortress, Vardzia Cave Monastery, and others smaller, yet significant sites. The Khertvisi-Vardzia Cultural Landscape is on Georgia’s tentative list for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Cultural Heritage

Since 2016, the Village of Chachkari has been considered an Immovable Cultural Monument of National Significance in Georgia.

Giorgi Natenadze