Growing up in Oxford, UK, I was always singing in different folk choirs and bands. I trained as an actor, first in Musical Theatre and then European Theatre. But singing in harmony with others is my main pleasure in life.

In 2017 I travelled to Georgia (Kutaisi, Samegrelo, Svaneti, Ajara and Guria) to learn about the ancient tradition of polyphonic singing. Since then I keep coming back, taking longer and longer trips. Now I spend most of my time in Tbilisi but visit other regions as much as possible. I love to visit villages where singers live, especially if they are surrounded by beautiful mountains and rivers! My favourite place in Tbilisi is the bazroba (central bazaar) where I find all manner of interesting foods! My favourite Georgian food is soko ketze - mushrooms sizzling in a clay pan with Georgian cheese melting on top. 

I have performed Georgian songs in festivals such as the Batumi Folk and Church Music Festival, and the Polikarpe Music Festival in Anaklia. I sing with Maspindzeli, the London Georgian choir of 20-30 people, and Stumbrebi, an octet from around the UK who come together to sing complex and unusual Georgian harmony songs. 

My name is Tamari Zakalashvili and I’m 23 years old winemaker and wine consultant from
Tbilisi, Georgia. I’m positive, sociable, love meeting people and seeing places.
Education: The specialty I have chosen has always been popular and much respected in my country as
Georgia is counted among the oldest winemaking countries and called “the cradle” of wine. I hold a
bachelor’s degree in winemaking and viticulture from Agricultural University of Georgia. With the motto
“Knowledge, Labour, Freedom” my home university encouraged me to do more for the better results. In
addition to that, I entered Hochschule Geisenheim University with Erasmus scholarship, where I studied
International Wine Business and Wine and Beverage Marketing and even more, I got new friends
throughout the whole world.
Languages: My mother language is Georgian, besides, I know English with full professional proficiency,
Russian(B1) , I also studied French(A1) in the university and right know I’m studying Spanish by my own,
because this is one of my favorite languages of all time.
Tours led: I’ve never led tour before, this is my first time and I’m so enthusiastic and excited about it.
Favorite Destination: I’ve visited many places in Europe like Germany, Hungary, France, Switzerland and
so on, but my favorite destination is definitely Georgia, especially Kakheti and Racha. To my point of
view, we have one of the greatest places to visit, people to meet and wine to drink!
My passion is my profession, I love winemaking and everything related to wine, I hope that one day I’ll
have my own cellar. Also, I like helping other people and talking with them about anything, especially
wine. Besides, I have different hobbies that I feel passionate about, for example, Singing, Swimming,
playing to the piano and having fun with my friends.