Nestled in the picturesque valleys of Georgia’s Kakheti Region, family-owned wineries are celebrated for their dedication and passion for winemaking. Among these, Lekso’s Marani stands out, thanks to its warm-hearted owner, Lekso Pitskhelauri, whose love for wine shines through in every bottle produced. His commitment to the craft has resulted in some of the finest wines you’ll encounter during your travels.
Located in the charming village of Akhshani within Akhmeta Municipality, Lekso’s Marani opened its doors in 2015 and now produces approximately 8,000 bottles annually, with an impressive 70% of that production exported to wine enthusiasts around the world. Each wine is crafted using traditional qvevri—large earthenware vessels that are integral to the fermentation, storage, and aging of Georgian wines. The grapes used in Lekso’s wines include indigenous varieties such as Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane, Kisi, Saperavi, Jananura (Khikhvi), and Pink Muscat. In exceptional years, Lekso also produces a limited quantity of Cabernet.
When you visit Lekso’s Winery, you’ll not only have the opportunity to taste exceptional local wines but also to immerse yourself in the ancient traditions of Georgian winemaking and enjoy the warm hospitality of the local people.
The winery is named in honor of Lekso’s grandfather, who also bore the name Lekso. With a history spanning over a century, the wine cellar was originally constructed with wooden planks, which were later replaced with sturdy blocks before Lekso himself was born. Remarkably, some of the qvevri vessels in use today date back over a hundred years, with sizes ranging from a modest 5 liters to an impressive 2.2 tons.
Lekso fondly recalls his family’s winemaking activities from his earliest childhood memories. Although he initially aspired to become a doctor, he found himself working in the pharmaceutical industry, where he produced medical ethanol. This experience gradually led him to the world of alcohol production, where he deepened his understanding of winemaking.
A pivotal moment occurred when Lekso first tasted wine from the historic Alaverdi Monastery. The experience inspired him to age his own wine in qvevri for a minimum of six months. Initially, the wine was for personal consumption, but as friends pointed out that he had more wine than he could drink alone, Lekso recognized the potential for a commercial venture. The turning point came in 2015 when he bottled his first Rkatsiteli. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from friends and family encouraged him to expand production, leading him to order new 10-ton qvevris from the city of Chiatura for the 2016 vintage, setting the stage for his winery’s success.
While Lekso primarily produces wine from grapes harvested from his own 2.5 hectares of vineyards, he also sources grapes from fellow winemakers in Kakheti. The winery currently boasts a capacity of 20 tons of qvevri for fermentation and aging. Among the standout wines crafted at Lekso’s Marani are:
Pink Muscat: A vibrant summer wine characterized by its high acidity, captivating aroma, and distinct pink hue, with an alcohol content of around 13%.
Saperavi Dry Red: The flagship wine of Lekso’s Marani, this iconic red boasts up to 14% alcohol and pairs beautifully with mtsvadi—the national pork barbecue of Kakheti. Lekso himself enjoys a small glass of Saperavi before bedtime, as he finds it helps him drift off to sleep quickly.
Jananura: A delightful dry white wine made from the Khikhvi grape variety, it pairs wonderfully with dried fruits and nuts. On warm summer evenings, a chilled glass of this wine is a true delight.
Looking ahead, Lekso plans to expand his stock of qvevri vessels each year and has exciting ambitions to open a small hotel at Lekso’s Marani. He envisions building a cozy cottage within the vineyard and hosting enchanting dinner parties on-site, further enhancing the experience for visitors.
Please note that family-owned wineries like Lekso’s Marani typically welcome visitors by prior appointment and may not accommodate walk-in travelers. At Shahina Travel, we maintain exclusive relationships with top family wineries in Georgia, allowing you to easily arrange your visit and enjoy a personalized tour complete with tastings in the cellar.