The term "European Cultural Route" refers to a road that crosses one or more countries or regions organized around a community whose historical, artistic or social interests are clearly European.
Our cultural tea route "Georgia painted with Tea" covers Guria, Samegrelo, Imereti regions, the Autonomous Republic of Adjara and Tbilisi. The route tells the history of the development of tea culture in Georgia and its importance in both local and international markets.
The participants of the route are: Georgian bio tea companies, associations, tea houses and museums, which will tell their stories and offer a variety of services to the visitors: tasting of several types of tea, historical excursion, getting acquainted with the picking and processing process, etc.
Requirements for beneficiaries: First of all, they must have a story that sets them apart from others (Make your story, sell your story), "Farm to table" concept, interested persons will be able to visit tea companies and taste on the spot, with the help of various applications and sites (Cultural routes, Biliki, etc.). They also need to introduce international production standards, take on social responsibility, have a bio-certificate and adequate infrastructure for visitors.
Gezruli Tea in Gezruli village near Chiatura in Georgia's Imereti region is an organic, family-run tea estate founded around 2016–2018 by Tournike (“Toko”) Shekiladze. Situated at an elevation of about 630–700 m in a century-old mixed forest, the plantation benefits from exceptionally clean air—no pollution within a 20 km radius—creating ideal conditions for cultivating high-quality wild and plantation teas.
Educational trips to China in 2018–and winning first prize at a Yunnan Tea University competition—have helped refine his production techniques and enhance Gezruli’s offerings . Here you will taste black tea, cultivated white, green, and black teas, and a caffeine‑free blueberry‑leaf tisane sourced from native Vaccinium arctostaphylos. The estate comprises around 7 hectares of rehabilitated plots and an additional forest area where wild tea bushes grow, and employs up to 15 seasonal pickers.
Toko has expanded the venture beyond tea production by opening a guesthouse and offering immersive tea‑tourism experiences. Visitors can explore the tea fields, pick leaves, participate in masterclasses, enjoy traditional Imeretian meals and tea ceremonies, stay overnight, and even take a “tea bath.” Additional activities include mushroom foraging, forest hikes with waterfall views, karst‑cave adventures, and wine tastings (Tsitska, Kakhetian Green, and Saperavi) in a traditional cellar with centuries‑old qvevri.
Services typically offered in a 1.5-hour Tea Cultural Tour:
· Welcome and Introduction
o Warm greeting by host or guide
o Brief overview of tea culture and tour agenda
· Tea Garden Walkthrough (if applicable)
o Short guided walk through tea plants or garden area
o Introduction to different types of tea plants
o Explanation of cultivation and harvesting methods
· Traditional Tea Ceremony Demonstration
o Presentation of local or traditional tea brewing techniques
o Cultural significance of the ceremony
o Participation opportunity for guests
· Tea Tasting Session
o Sampling of various types of teas (e.g., green, black, oolong, herbal)
o Guidance on tasting notes and differences
o Discussion on health benefits and preparation tips
· Cultural Storytelling
o Narratives on the history of tea in the region
o Folklore, rituals, and customs related to tea
· Hands-On Activity (Optional)
o Guests try brewing or serving tea themselves
o Creating their own tea blend (if offered)
· Q&A with Tea Expert
o Interactive session with a tea master or guide
· Souvenir or Gift Option
o Small pack of local tea or cultural token
o Photo opportunity in traditional attire (if provided)
A short journey of around 10–15 km brings you to the Katskhi Pillar, a 40 m natural limestone monolith hosting the medieval Katskhi Monastery atop its summit, home to a solitary monk. As you wander, hidden gems emerge: the railway depot where ageing locomotives shuffle manganese wagons by the Qvirila River, a football stadium scarred by earthquakes yet still in use, and an old swimming pool with Soviet‑era mosaics depicting mythical Jason and the Argonauts. Don’t miss the Chiatura Mining Museum in a reclaimed mine building, where dusty machinery and interactive exhibits tell the story of the valley’s manganese-rich roots.
Temple architecture continues with the Darkveti Church of St George on a mountaintop above Mghvimevi, a single-nave 10th–11th-century basilica with carved masonry that marks medieval Georgian sacred design. For those drawn to nature, a brief drive west brings you to Karst regions like Sataplia, with its dinosaur footprints and caves, but that’s venturing a bit further out.
