By Mariam Lomidze, Culture & Events Reporter · 12/11/2026
- Combine a visit to Rokiti with a day trip from Kutaisi, pairing it with Bagrati Cathedral, Gelati Monastery and the Sataplia Nature Reserve.
- Expect a small, family-connected marani rather than a large commercial winery, suited to travellers interested in rural Imeretian tradition.
- Plan for road travel from Kutaisi or nearby towns, as Rokiti is a village setting with no public transport directly serving the site.
As autumn settles over western Georgia, the village of Rokiti in Imereti offers a fitting backdrop for exploring the country’s winemaking roots. Marani Nadzveli Onise Kbilashvili, listed in the national tourism register and verified by GTour, sits at the second turn, number 7, in this rural settlement surrounded by vineyards and farmland typical of the Imeretian countryside.
Imereti has long been associated with qvevri vinification, the ancient method of fermenting and ageing wine in large clay vessels buried underground. The region is known for indigenous grape varieties such as Tsitska and Tsolikouri, both central to the style of white wine produced here. Unlike the more visited Kakheti wine region in the east, Imereti’s winemaking culture tends to be smaller in scale and more closely tied to individual households and villages, making a visit to a marani like this one a window into everyday rural tradition rather than large-scale production.
Why November suits a visit
November falls after the harvest and the first stages of fermentation, a period when Imeretian households are often still occupied with the season’s wine as it develops in qvevri. The cooler, quieter countryside this time of year also means fewer crowds along the roads connecting Kutaisi to its surrounding villages, giving travellers a more relaxed pace for exploring. The autumn light over the vineyards and hills of Imereti adds to the appeal for those interested in rural landscapes as much as in wine itself.
Reaching Rokiti generally involves a short road trip from Kutaisi, Imereti’s main city, or from nearby towns. Kutaisi itself is well worth building a day around, with Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery offering two of the region’s most significant historical and religious sites, both recognised for their architecture and centuries-old presence in Georgian cultural life. The Sataplia Nature Reserve, known for its karst caves and dinosaur footprints, provides a contrasting natural counterpoint for travellers who want to pair cultural heritage with the outdoors.
This listing will particularly suit travellers with a genuine interest in Georgia’s wine heritage beyond the better-known routes, especially those keen to understand family-run marani traditions as part of a broader exploration of Imereti’s cultural and natural sites. It is not a stop designed for large groups or structured tastings, but rather for those willing to slow down and engage with a smaller, village-based side of Georgian winemaking.
Read more on gtour.ge: Imereti · Marani Nadzveli Onise Kbilashvili — Wine in Imereti, Georgia
Wine of the day — a daily GTour desk feature drawn from the verified-place register and our destination guides. Not sponsored.
Source: Georgian National Tourism Administration — official register (georgia.travel)
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Source: Georgian National Tourism Administration — official register (georgia.travel). Reported by the GTour desk; updated 12 November 2026, 11:45 (Tbilisi).
