Marleta is an artisanal cheese factory located in the village of Shalauri, Telavi District. It is run by Levan Tsaguria and his wife. In 2009, the couple decided to move from Tbilisi to Shalauri and engage in farming. To celebrate, their friends gifted them a Swiss cow with the passport name "Marleta" and the first cheese was produced from milk received from Marleta. The enterprise was also named after this cow.
“Marleta” turned the passion for making cheese into a commercial activity in 2011, and in 2013 won the gold medal at the Tbilisi Cheese Festival.
At the enterprise, cheese is produced from goat and cow's milk. At this stage, two types of soft and semi-hard cheese are prepared.
All “Marleta” cheeses are made according to a unique recipe. If you visit the factory, you can try the branded “Ashmelo” cheese from a tasting board covered with a layer of coal and white mold. Also, do not miss one of the most sought-after products of "Marleta's Bzha" - semi-hard cow's milk cheese, aged in special conditions.
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At present, the company produces 12 types of artisanal cheese:
- Ashmelo
- Tom Shalauri
- Shalauri cheese with ash
- Shalauri cheese with paprika
- Romano
- Shalo
- Telavi’s cheese
- Marleta's Bzha
- Kvareli alpine
- Tom Kvareli
- Shalauri’s white
- Bona – goat cheese
“Marleta” implements the HACCP standard, which means that products manufactured at the enterprise are harmless and traceable. At the enterprise, you can take master classes in cheese making and participate in the production process.
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Shalauri village is located on the northeastern slope of the Gombori ridge, 2 kilometers from Telavi. According to one version of oral tradition, earlier Shalauri was called Markaan. During the invasion of Shah Abbas, the population left the area. Only a few families were left in the village. Returning, they met the only surviving resident of the village - Shalva, and named the village of Shalvauri after him. The village has 7 historical monuments built in different historical periods.
During the visit to "Marleta" you can attend other attractions:
- Ikalto monastery
- Old Shuamta
- New Shuamta
- King Erekle II palace
- Cholokashvili fortress of Laliskuri
- White waters
- Torghva Bath
