Qvevri Making School Opens in Ikhalto, Kakheti

Georgian Wine Week kicked off with the opening of the Ikhalto Qvevri School. Qvevris are clay wine vessels traditionally used to ferment and store wine, listed by UNESCO as part of the world’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013.

The school aims to revive and preserve the ancient tradition of Qvevri-making techniques in Georgia, while at the same time promoting and developing the cultural, hitorical, educational and touristic potential of the village of Ikhalto, located in the Kakheti region in eastern Georgia.

The Ikhalto School of Qvevri-making is seen as a possibility to learn about the oldest methods of vessel production. It is equipped with the latest technological advances such as modern clay stoves, cisterns for clay washing, and clay-mills.

The project is co-financed by the Government of Georgia and World Bank, with a budget of 5 mln GEL.

Minister of Agriculture of Georgia Levan Davitashvili stressed the importance of the event and underscored the significance of cooperation between the State and private sectors that resulted in the opening of the School. He expressed hope that the project will increase awareness of the Georgian Qvevri internationally and help it to gain a distinctive place on the world markets.

“It is essential to preserve this exceptional tradition we have, through creating an infrastructure that will assist the development of its production,” the Minister said.

The Ikhalto School of Qvevri-making will be a multifunctional venue with workshops, museum, library and an internet cafe. The school will also have clay and Georgian porcelain-making, and enamel and goldsmith workshops.

Nino Gugunishvili