Chacha is Georgia's national spirit — a grape pomace brandy distilled by almost every winemaking family in the country. This full-day excursion to Kakheti takes you inside a family winery to witness the traditional distillation process on a copper alambic and taste the results alongside the family who made them.

What Is Chacha?

Chacha (pronounced "cha-cha", not like the dance) is produced from the grape skins, seeds, and stems left over after winemaking — called pomace. The pomace is fermented and then distilled in a traditional copper alambic (a pot still), producing a spirit of 40-65% alcohol. Every Georgian winemaking family has their own recipe and preferred grape varieties: Rkatsiteli chacha is floral and aromatic; Saperavi chacha is darker and more structured. Oak-aged chacha takes on a whisky-like character over years of barrel ageing.

The Programme

09:00 — Drive to Kakheti

We depart Tbilisi in the morning and drive east through the Gombori Pass to Kakheti — a journey of about 1.5 hours through mountain forest.

11:00 — Distillation at the Family Winery

We arrive at a family winery where the host — a third-generation winemaker — shows us the copper alambic and explains the distillation process. We watch a full distillation run: the heating, the condensation through the worm, the separation of heads, heart, and tails. The distiller explains which parts are kept and which discarded, and why. The process takes about 2 hours.

13:00 — Tasting

We sit at the family table and taste 4-5 types of chacha: fresh grape chacha, oak-aged chacha, and specialty fruit versions (pear, mandarin, fig, quince — depending on the season). The tasting is accompanied by Georgian snacks: churchkhela, dried fruit, cheese, and bread. You can purchase bottles to take home at ₾15-20 per litre direct from the distiller.

15:00 — Return to Tbilisi

We return via a scenic route with a short stop at a Kakheti vineyard viewpoint before arriving back in Tbilisi by evening.

Timur's Tip

Eat breakfast before the tour — a light breakfast is fine, but don't come on an empty stomach. Chacha is strong (the family's own is typically 55-60%) and drinking it on a proper empty stomach is not advisable. The family will feed you well during the tasting, but the snacks are accompaniments, not a full meal.

Included

  • Private transfer from Tbilisi and back
  • English-speaking guide (Timur)
  • Family winery visit
  • Distillation demonstration
  • Tasting of 4-5 chacha types
  • Georgian snacks during tasting

Not Included

  • Meals (lunch)
  • Chacha purchases (₾15-20/litre)
  • Children under 18 not admitted

Frequently Asked Questions

Can children join the chacha masterclass?

No. This is an adults-only experience. The distillation site and tasting are not suitable for children under 18.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes. The family winery prepares the distillation run specifically for the visit — a minimum of 48 hours advance booking is required.

Can I buy chacha to take home?

Yes. The family sells their chacha directly at ₾15-20 per litre. You can buy as much as you like — it travels well in checked luggage.