Khvanchkara: Vacation Apartments and Holiday Homes

Khvanchkara is a Georgian Protected Designation of Origin wine made from Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes grown in a small microzone around Khvanchkara. Those wishing to rent a vacation apartment in Khvanchkara can then continue searching for accommodation. Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli are described as ancient indigenous Rachan grape varieties. Khvanchkara may be made only from these two grape varieties harvested in the Khvanchkara microzone; production takes place through incomplete alcoholic fermentation of the grape must.

History

Viticulture and winemaking are described as an old sector in Racha. The Kipiani winemaking tradition began with Dimitri Kipiani in the 1880s. The wine associated with this tradition received the Grand Prix at an international exhibition in Belgium in 1907. From 1930 onward, the wine known as Kipiani wine was renamed Khvanchkara.

Landscape

The Khvanchkara wine microzone is located in the Ambrolauri area of Racha, on the southern slopes of the Lechkhumi Ridge and on the right bank of the Rioni. The climate of the microzone is humid, with moderately cold winters and hot, relatively dry summers. The commercial vineyards designated for Khvanchkara are located at elevations of 450 to 750 meters above sea level.

Factors cited as influencing the quality of Khvanchkara wine include south-facing foothill slopes, solar radiation, warmth, moderate summer temperatures, and moderate humidity. The soils in Khvanchkara are described as deep humus-carbonate soils with heavy loam and light clay. The processing of Khvanchkara grapes and the winemaking must take place within the microzone, while bottling may take place elsewhere in Georgia.

Regional Surroundings

Kipiani House & Winery offers a rural stay in Khvanchkara with a wooden house, views of Racha, an equipped kitchen, a fireplace, and a green courtyard. It also includes locally produced Kipiani wine made according to the traditional method.

In the wider Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region, hiking is offered at the Buba and Kirtishi glaciers and in the Chiora and Khikhata mountains. The region is characterized by mountain peaks, caves, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, and historic architectural monuments.

The cuisine of Racha-Lechkhumi includes Khavitsi cheese fondue, Rachuli-Lori ham, Lobiani bean pie, and Tskaldaskhmula cornbread with dips. In Ambrolauri, the Khvanchkara wine monument is located in one of the city's squares.

Other local pages in the same regional navigation area: Tsageri, Lentechi, Oni, Glola, Kveda Tlughi, Ambrolauri, Tsanashi, Ghebi.

To the higher-level travel overview: Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti.