Collecting clay from nearby his village of Vardisubani, Zaza Kbilashvili is a part of one of the most vital aspects of Georgian winemaking as a 4th generation qvevri maker. The qvevri- an egg-shaped clay vessel- is the foundation of traditional Georgian winemaking. This ancient craft, precious to every detail, takes several months to create each single qvevri. Zaza’s waiting list for orders gets longer by the day. 

The cultural significance of the qvevri within Georgian winemaking has long been the driving force behind Zaza’s life mission, when he was admittedly unsure about continuing his family’s legacy. Years later from that fateful decision, he is now determined to keep Georgian qvevri- making alive and teaching the younger generations of Georgians. Visitors can see him during the process and visit his workshop in Vardisubani, near Telavi.

Learn more about Zaza and qvevri making from UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage: