"Armunji"

“Armunji”

The Chokhatauri Municipality's village of Goraberezhouli hosts a dendrological park and a 17th-century castle-fortress, where the oldest amphoras have been preserved. From these amphoras, wine was produced using various endemic grape varieties, specific to the Guria region. The family of Mavra Tsereteli and Guram Tkesheladze resides closest to this fascinating tourist location. After learning about the castle's histories, visitors often expressed a desire to taste the local wines, a desire that often remained unfulfilled. Seeing this as an opportunity, the industrious couple decided to revive the Gurian grape varieties. In 2012, they began planting interesting grape varieties that, according to sources, were used to make wine in these ancient wells. The family's ancestral, centuries-old 0.5-hectare vineyard plot was equipped with a wine cellar, traditional winepress, chacha distillery, and other facilities, reviving the winemaking traditions established by their ancestors.

It's important to note that even in 2012, Guram and Mavra planned the vineyard layout so that it would be accessible for those working with a plough. They started step by step and continue to this day, tirelessly working towards the development and production of high-quality products. Currently, the family's oldest vineyard is under restoration. The wines of Mavra and Guram are bottled. The wines made of the following sorts of grapes and their combinations hold a special place in their production: Tolikouri, Tsitska-Tsolikouri, Sakmiela, Otskhanuri Sapere, Jani, Klarjuli, Tskhilatubani, Chkhaveri.

The company "8000 Vintages" tasting commission highly rated Tkesheladze's wine, and their wines were stored on their own shelves. Interestingly, Jani, Skhilatubani, Sakmiela, and Klarjuli were among the first to be introduced to Tbilisi's wine shops (Wine Kiosk, Wine Gallery, etc.), reminding Tbilisians of the taste and aroma of newly made Gurian wines. "Armunji" wine is also being prepared for export. Turning wine production into a business presented the family with new needs - a tasting space where guests could be offered various accompaniments and experience an authentic Gurian environment during wine tasting. In 2019-2020, Mavra participated in women's economic empowerment projects and received micro financing, which helped diversify the business, creating the complex tourist location "Armunji." "Armunji" is an ancient Gurian word meaning genuine, waterless wine.

Mavra transformed the so-called preparation house in the yard into an interesting space for a new purpose: setting up a wine stand and tasting area, offering guests homemade preserves ("Mavra's Jam") and the opportunity to taste Gurian tea, all in an interior decorated with traditional ornaments. Besides wine and jams, visitors can purchase Georgian national costumes (Chokha and Qabalakhi) made by the family's ladies. The Gurian Qabalakhi is a particularly popular and interesting item, handcrafted and suitable for representatives of all genders. Learning about this family's history, which connects to the world map and describes the tragic life paths of its members, is incredibly fascinating.