Georgia’s Kakheti region is the biggest winemaking region and it goes without saying that winemaking is a business of its absolute majority. Kakha from Kakheti’s Ikalto village chose a different path. After having tried fortune in tiling, Kakha enrolled in cheese making and over past 4 years has managed to expand his business.
It all started a few years ago, when Kakha and his friend took a loan to buy 30 cows. Shortly after, Kakha’s friend withdrew himself from the business leaving it all on Kakha. Kakha did not give up. Contrary to this, he built the business with due diligence. He now has 36 cows and employs two shepherds. He rents a farm in the valley for the winter season, while in summer he lets the cattle graze in mountains.
Kakha’s father passed away when he was just six and the challenge of raising two sons fell on mother. This circumstance shaped Kakha’s life and his business as well. As a family tradition, he often watched his mother making cheese. He has learned everything about it then. Unfortunately, he cannot pursue cheese making for it is labour-intensive.
"Food safety as well as many other factors needs to be considered carefully during cheese making. As a sole worker, I cannot diversify my business and include cheese making as well. Therefore, I have decided to work on milk delivery for now."