The word “guest” in Georgian is close to the word “God” — and not by chance. Hospitality is a supreme value, and its perfect expression is the supra: a long feast, loaded with dishes and toasts, that can last for hours.
What a supra is
A table where you can’t see the cloth: dozens of dishes served at once, plate upon plate. People eat, drink, sing — and no one is in a hurry to be anywhere. It’s the Georgian way to celebrate anything: a birth, a wedding or simply a guest who comes from afar.
The tamada — the master of toasts
At the head of every supra sits the tamada, the master of ceremonies. He leads the toasts in a fixed order — to peace, to parents, to love, to the guests, to memory — and each person gives a short speech before drinking. It’s not a quick “cheers”; it’s a moment of respect.
What it is: a good Georgian toast is half poetry, half philosophy. Don’t be surprised if a toast lasts several minutes.
Homemade wine
Most rural families still make their own wine in qvevri. On the supra table you’ll almost always find rural, unfiltered wine, poured from a jug. It’s very different from commercial wine — and that’s where all the magic is.
Chacha
Georgian brandy, distilled from the grape remains. Very strong (40–60%), served in little glasses for special toasts. The homemade version can surprise you — go carefully.
If you’re invited to a family supra, say yes. It’s the chance to understand authentic Georgia, far beyond any attraction.
Booking: Wine tastings and supra experiences · Accommodation in Kakheti