Winery Solomone — Wine in Imereti, Georgia

In short

Winery Solomone is a small, family-run winery attached to Hotel Chiatureli in the town of Chiatura, in the Zemo Imereti sub-region of western Georgia. The winery says it was established in 2018, works exclusively with indigenous Imeretian grape varieties, and ferments its wine in a single qvevri that survived the collapse of three others found buried under the family home. The project is named after the winemaker’s great-great-grandfather, Solomon Lezhava, on whose land the vineyard and winery now stand.

The estate and its history

The winery traces its origin to a family house in Chiatura that stands on land once owned by Solomon Lezhava, the great-great-grandfather of the current owners, and the man after whom the winery is named. According to the winery, winemaking knowledge passed down through the family from Gulda Chachanidze, who worked as a professional winemaker during the Soviet era and taught the present-day winemaker the craft, starting when he was nine years old.

The winery says that during renovation work on the family house, four 1,200-litre qvevri were discovered buried in its foundation. Three had been damaged beyond repair, but the fourth was found intact and is still used today to ferment and age the estate’s wine. The winery also says its labels carry Braille lettering as a tribute to the winemaker’s grandfather, who lost his sight late in life but, by his own account, could still fully appreciate the smell and taste of wine.

• Solomon Lezhava owns the land on which the winery now stands (date not specified by the winery)
• Gulda Chachanidze works as a professional winemaker during the Soviet era and later teaches the next generation
• Four 1,200-litre qvevri are discovered in the foundation of the family house during renovation; three are ruined, one remains usable
• 2018 – Winery Solomone is formally established

Vineyards, grapes and method

The winery says its vineyards cover 3 hectares in Chiatura, a town in Zemo Imereti better known historically for manganese mining than for wine. The vines range in age from 8 to 15 years. Winery Solomone works exclusively with indigenous Imeretian grape varieties: Tsitska, Tsolikouri, Krakhuna and Dzelshavi. Fermentation and ageing take place in the single surviving qvevri from the four originally found under the family house. The winery states a production capacity of 35,000 bottles.

The wines

The winery’s published materials describe its grape varieties and winemaking method rather than listing individual labels by name. Based on the varieties the winery says it works with, its range draws on the following Imeretian grapes:

• Tsitska – a white Imeretian variety the winery uses in its qvevri production.
• Tsolikouri – a white Imeretian variety, among the most widely planted in the region, used by the winery in its wines.
• Krakhuna – a white Imeretian variety included in the winery’s vineyard plantings.
• Dzelshavi – a red Imeretian variety used by the winery, traditionally associated with the wider Imereti region.

No individual cuvée names, vintages or prices are stated by the winery.

Visiting

The winery does not publish a separate tasting menu, tour schedule or fixed pricing for cellar visits. Winery Solomone operates alongside Hotel Chiatureli, which lists itself as open 24/7 and gives info@chiatureli.com and +995 479 25 24 10 as contact points. Travellers wishing to see the qvevri or taste the wines are advised to arrange a visit in advance through the hotel.

Food and stays

The winery is part of the same property as Hotel Chiatureli, which the hotel describes as a place where “tradition meets modern comfort” in Chiatura. The hotel’s restaurant serves Imeretian traditional Georgian dishes. Accommodation includes a Family Room (28 sq m, 4 beds, up to 6 guests), a Standard Room (20 sq m, 1 bed, 2 guests, also offered as a double-bed version for 2 guests), a Luxe room (1 double and 1 single bed, 4 guests), and a Breakfast category room (26 sq m, two double beds and one single bed, two 28 sq m rooms, 6 guests). The hotel also has a 10×5 metre swimming pool accommodating 7–8 guests. The hotel states it sources ingredients locally and works with local artisans as part of its approach to hospitality.

Awards

No awards are stated by the winery.

Location and getting there

Winery Solomone and Hotel Chiatureli are located at Nodar Chachanidze 1st turn #8, in the town of Chiatura, in the Zemo Imereti district of the wider Imereti region of western Georgia. Chiatura lies roughly 220 km from Tbilisi, a drive of around three and a half to four hours along the main west-bound highway and connecting roads. The town is historically known for manganese mining and for its network of Soviet-era aerial cable cars, which still carry passengers up the surrounding cliffs. The winery can be combined with a stop in Kutaisi, the regional centre of Imereti, or with visits to other Imeretian wine producers working with Tsitska, Tsolikouri, Krakhuna and Dzelshavi.

Good to know

• The winery was established in 2018 by the Chachanidze family.
• It is named after Solomon Lezhava, the family’s great-great-grandfather and original landowner.
• Wine is fermented in a single 1,200-litre qvevri, the only one of four original family qvevri to survive intact.
• Wine labels feature Braille lettering as a tribute to a blind grandfather who could still taste and smell wine.
• The vineyard covers 3 hectares with vines aged 8 to 15 years.
• Only indigenous Imeretian varieties are used: Tsitska, Tsolikouri, Krakhuna and Dzelshavi.
• Production capacity is stated at 35,000 bottles.
• The winery shares its site with Hotel Chiatureli, which can be contacted for visits, meals and accommodation.

Questions travellers ask

Where exactly is Winery Solomone located?

It is in Chiatura, in the Zemo Imereti part of the Imereti region, at Nodar Chachanidze 1st turn #8, on the same site as Hotel Chiatureli.

What grape varieties does the winery use?

The winery says it works exclusively with four indigenous Imeretian varieties: Tsitska, Tsolikouri, Krakhuna and Dzelshavi.

Does the winery still use qvevri for production?

Yes. The winery says four 1,200-litre qvevri were found under the family house during renovation; three were damaged, and wine is still made today in the one that remained intact.

Can visitors taste wine or tour the cellar?

The winery does not publish set tasting hours or fixed prices. Visits can be arranged through Hotel Chiatureli, which operates on the same property and lists contact details for bookings.

Is there somewhere to eat or stay nearby?

Yes. Hotel Chiatureli, on site, has a restaurant serving Imeretian traditional dishes, several room categories including family and standard rooms, and a swimming pool.

Sources

• Winery Solomone — official website (chiatureli.com)
• Winery Solomone: Book Now
• Winery Solomone: About Us
• Winery Solomone: Special Suites Room
• Winery Solomone: Rooms
• Winery Solomone: Transport Guide

Profiled in depth by the GTour desk on 28 October 2026 from the property’s official website; photographs are the property’s own, from its official website, credited under each image. Not sponsored; tell us if something has changed.