georgia kakheti tour

Wander-Lush

How to Find a Quality Wine Tour in Georgia (Plus My Favourite Kakheti Tours)

Joining a Kakheti wine tour from Tbilisi is the best way to immerse yourself in Georgia’s UNESCO-listed wine tradition. In this guide, I’ll show you how to choose the perfect wine tour in Georgia and what to expect on the day.

Wine culture is hard to hide from in Georgia. Though by no means mandatory, a wine tour is a wonderful part of any visit to the country and often ends up being a highlight of Georgia for most people.

Good vino, good food, great hospitality, gorgeous mountain scenery – this is Kakheti , so what could possibly go wrong? Having visited the wine region numerous times I can tell you there’s actually a lot of room for error – from poor organisation to having a guide with limited knowledge of wine, to dangerous driving or unforeseen expenses.

This guide to choosing a wine tour in Georgia shows you things to look out for and what to expect on the day. I’ll also introduce you to one of my favourite companies, Eat This!, who recently invited me to join one of their tours to see how they do things differently.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

Transparency: My Kakheti wine tour was hosted by Eat This! As always, all opinions, endorsements and criticisms are 100% my own.

Why do a wine tour in Georgia?

There are lots of possible ways to explore Kakheti Wine Region: You can self-drive in a rental car , use public transport, find a driver through your guesthouse, or join a tour. I’ve tried them all over the years, and each one has its merits.

My favourite trips to Kakheti were always the days when I was travelling with a knowledgeable guide. In fact, along with Mtskheta , Kakheti is one of two places in Georgia that I highly recommend you visit with a guide. Here are a few reasons why:

• You’ll get access to smaller family wineries. Most (if not all) smaller wineries require an advance reservation. Some might not open for just one or two people because it’s not viable. By joining a tour, you’ll avoid disappointment and get a chance to support small businesses as well.
• You’ll see more. If you’re short on time and hope to visit the wine region as a day trip from Tbilisi , you really need a driver plus someone behind the scenes to make it happen. You’ll be surprised how much you can comfortably fit into one day when you have someone knowledgeable taking care of the logistics.
• You’ll be free to drink! Although I loved driving myself around Kakheti last winter, Georgia’s zero-tolerance policy on drink driving meant that I had to sit out of the wine tastings – which kind of defeats the purpose of visiting wine country.

Of course there are some downsides to tours as well depending on the company you choose. I’ve been on wine tours that were quite rushed and stressful. Joining a tour means less flexibility and being limited to the wineries someone else chooses for you. Some companies lean towards larger commercial wineries, whereas I always prefer to have a balance between big operators and smaller family cellars.

Beware of tours that have hidden costs. Don’t assume food or even wine is included in the quoted price because it’s often not.

Looking for a cooking class in Tbilisi, Kakheti or Kutaisi? I recommend Georgian Flavors. Learn more about their hands-on masterclasses here.

How do Kakheti wine tours work?

While wine tasting is obviously an important part of any wine tour, wineries in Georgia (the good ones anyway) offer a more holistic experience: Wine, food, a tour of the property and vineyards to see the production, a history lesson, beautiful scenery, and some down time to chat and relax.

The formal sit-down wine tasting at a long table with a white tablecloth is not as common in Georgia as it is elsewhere in Europe. It’s just not the local style. Generally speaking, things are more hands-on and intimate (and casual) here. You’ll usually have someone from the winery there to show you around and answer questions.

Wine tours are the same: Most combine winery visits and tastings with other activities. In Kakheti, you’ll usually visit a few monasteries and churches, and maybe participate in a food masterclass or visit a Qvevri workshop .

Things to look out for when choosing a wine tour in Georgia

Here are some of the questions you should ask yourself when choosing a wine tour:

Is the itinerary well paced? You will almost always end up spending far longer than you anticipated at wineries in Georgia (especially if the Chacha comes out and the toasting begins), so it’s important to look for itineraries that aren’t too rushed. Two or maximum three wineries in one day is about the limit.

Is there a mix of smaller and larger wineries? Personally, I like to see both on an itinerary. I’m not at all against visiting commercial wineries such as Khareba and Kindzmarauli – I think they offer a great experience, and it’s always interesting to see how larger-scale operations work and how winemakers combine Georgian and European techniques. On the flipside, small vineyards often do things by hand and using Qvevri, so it’s a nice contrast to be able to see both.

Are the wineries locally owned? A huge number of wineries in Kakheti are small family operations, so this is a great chance to inject some money into the local economy. Some tour companies prioritise Georgian-owned wineries for this reason.

Are guides knowledgeable about wine? Wine might be a way of life in Georgia, but that doesn’t mean everyone is a wine expert. I’ve been on tours where the guide was more of an interpreter. It makes a huge difference if you can find a specialised guide who has an intimate knowledge of wine as it relates to culture and history.

What’s included in the price? Or more precisely, what’s not included? Look out for hidden costs, and if the wine tasting is included in the price, be sure to clarify what this actually means: One small glass or unlimited wine?

Is food included? If it’s a full-day tour, you’re going to need more than a grazing board to keep you going. Make sure the itinerary includes a proper meal.

Is road safety a priority? This is something you should ask yourself before getting into a car anywhere in Georgia. Look for companies that use professional drivers and good-quality vehicles. Avoid tours that have very long drive times or put you on the road after dark.

Are group sizes capped? If a company limits the group size to say 6 people, it’s a pretty good indication that they’re going for a more intimate experience. Private tours can be even better, but I often think interacting with other guests is one of the best parts of being on a tour.

Is other sightseeing included? Wine-only tours can be pretty intense. I recommend looking for itineraries that mix vineyards with other sightseeing opportunities (most do).

Is there a tipping policy? Companies that are transparent about pricing and give you information about tipping up front get a big tick in my books. This minimises confusion and awkwardness.

Recommended wine tour from Tbilisi: Visiting Kakheti with Eat This! Tours

I’ve been searching for a wine tour that captures all these values and delivers quality, thoughtful itineraries that go beyond the standard tourist route. I know the owners of Eat This! personally – when they invited me to join one of their tours to see how things work, I had one foot in the van before they’d finished asking!

I was lucky enough to join a full-day wine tour to Telavi , one of my favourite places in the wine region. We left Tbilisi nice and early to beat the traffic, and after a quick stop to visit a beekeeper on the Gombori Pass, picked up a few more guests from their hotel in Kakheti before we got started for the day.

Our guide, Ketie, was a trained sommelier as well as a qualified tour guide and we pretty quickly witnessed the depth of her knowledge on wine and history. Our first stop was Telavi city where we visited a couple of the major landmarks, including the Giant Plane Tree (Telavi’s pride and joy!) and my favourite spot, the bazaar.

It can be confusing trying to figure out what to buy at these markets (and trying to negotiate prices), so I was very grateful that Ketie helped us to buy some sunflower oil, Adjika and a couple of other Kakhetian specialties.

Unexpected rain threw a spanner in our plans so instead of wandering around Telavi, Ketie made a call and managed to get us in for an impromptu visit to Zaza’s Qvevri workshop. This was one of the highlights of the day for me and not something you normally get to experience if you’re travelling DIY.

After showing us his clay amphora, Zaza pulled out the Chacha and we ended up spending about an hour here chatting and drinking.

Next came the wine and food – and lots of it! Our first winery was Akido, a beautiful cellar near Alaverdi monastery. I hadn’t been to this winery before but it’s definitely a favourite now.

After touring the Marani and having a peek at the vineyards, we got to take a look around the family’s heritage home, which they’ve lovingly done up Kakheti-style with antique furnishings to reflect what it would have looked like when their ancestors built it.

The family at Akido were very kind, but having Ketie to translate and elaborate for us was essential. We tried four different wines accompanied by a spread of snacks so elaborate, we mistook it for lunch at first!

After popping into Alaverdi Monastery, we then made our way to the second and final winery for the day, Shalauri. This is a larger winery and it was interesting to compare the two approaches. I think it was a perfect pairing.

After a tour of the property with co-founder David Buadze, we sat down for a huge feast on the veranda with the Greater Caucasus as our backdrop. The conversation was so good, we ended up staying far longer than planned here as well.

We headed back to Tbilisi with full stomachs and full hearts.

Things to know about Eat This! Tours

The team behind Eat This! have an intimate knowledge of Georgian wine and have personally visited well over 50 wineries. Their curated fixed trips and custom itineraries reflect this – as does their choice of Georgian guides. Ketie’s knowledge of history and culture was matched by her understanding of wine, and that took this tour from great to excellent.

Eat This! focus specifically on small and locally owned wineries, which is another thing I really appreciate. Our day balanced wine and sightseeing, and when our plans got derailed by the weather, they were quick to come up with an alternative (which turned out to be one of the highlights).

This company is fully transparent about their fees and inclusions, so you know exactly what to expect. Prices are a little higher than some other tours to Kakheti, but I think it’s great value for money considering the amount of planning that goes into it. They ask lots of questions before you book, including your dietary requirements and drinking preferences. Kids are welcome on the tours too.

Eat This! currently offers fixed one-day and overnight tours to both Kakheti and Kartli, an alternative wine region near Tbilisi. Detailed descriptions can be found here on the website , and you’ll notice each tour has a little summary noting the type of traveller it’s most suitable for (in-depth wine knowledge, history, minimal driving, relaxation, etc.).

Alternatively, they can build you a custom itinerary based on your interests, group size and budget.

Wine tour discount

If you’re interested in booking a wine tour with Eat This!, they have kindly offered my readers a 5% discount on all their itineraries .

Follow this link to book and enter wanderlush in the coupon code field to claim your discount. This will also earn me a small referral commission.

Have you been on a wine tour in Kakheti? What was your experience like? Do you have any tips for other travellers or a particular wine tour to recommend?

You might also be interested in

• Where to do a wine tasting in Tbilisi
• Where to celebrate Rtveli wine harvest in September/October
• Best bars in Tbilisi for wine, cocktails and craft beer
• Recommended 3-day itinerary for Kakheti
• Where to stay in Kakheti – a breakdown of the various areas plus my favourite accommodations
• How to get to Kakheti from Tbilisi by taxi or marshrutka

Thanks for this great blog – I just booked the two day wine tour and will be exploring your site to find other ideas for my trip!

Awesome to hear that, Charlie!

Dear Emily, First, thank you so much for your blog. It has been the best source of inspiration in Georgia (and Armenia :)). I did join a wine tour with Eat this! Via your website and it was simply amazing. Loved the selected wineries, the driver was so fun and there was only one more person with me. I confirm that there is plenty of food, and wine and chacha. Highly recommended even if the price is higher than other tours.

Hi Hala, thanks so much for your comment! Really thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your day! I hope you’ll be back to Georgia again soon!

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Ultimate Guide to Georgian Wine Country: Discover the Best of Kakheti and Tbilisi

Travel to the Cradle of Wine – The Republic of Georgia

While wine has carved its niche in the annals of global history and is an integral component of numerous cultures worldwide, its roots are deeply embedded in one specific locale: the Republic of Georgia. This nation doesn’t just share a bond with wine; it is revered as its birthplace. Archaeological discoveries have consistently identified the South Caucasus region of Georgia as the site of the earliest known wine production, a practice dating back to 6,000 BC.

This means Georgia’s winemaking heritage spans over 8,000 years, distinguished by its traditional Qvevri winemaking method, a technique so unique that it has earned the accolade of a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage . Yet, beyond the accolades and history, it’s the tangible elements—the hospitable people, the rich culinary landscape, and the distinctively Georgian wines—that truly make a journey to the Republic of Georgia an enriching and memorable experience.

In This Guide

• Wines of Georgia
• Georgian Cuisine
• Getting To and Around Georgian Wine Country

Kakheti Wine Region

Recommended georgian wine tours & guides.

Georgian Wine Production

Georgia’s winemaking heritage is deeply rooted in its four primary wine-producing regions: Kakheti, Imereti, Kartli, and Racha. The country includes 29 Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs) and a rich diversity of indigenous grape varieties, numbering over 525, with 45 of these varieties actively cultivated in commercial viticulture. Among these, approximately 75% are white grape varieties, and 25% are black (red) grape varieties.

Old Georgian wine cellars where Qvevri are stored showcase the unique and historic method of winemaking deeply rooted in Georgian culture. Images courtesy Allison Levine and Andrey Khrobostov.

While modern methods like stainless steel and oak aging are employed, Georgia is renowned for its traditional use of Qvevri, large clay vessels, for wine fermentation and aging. A unique aspect of Georgian wine production involves the method of fermenting white grapes in Qvevri along with their seeds, skins, and occasionally stems. This process imparts an amber hue to the wine, often referred to as ‘amber wine’ or ‘orange wine’ due to its distinct color and rich, tannic profile. These amber wines, celebrated for their depth of flavor and historical significance, are a source of immense pride in Georgian viticulture.

Amber or orange wines are essentially white wines made using a method more akin to red wine production, where the grape skins are left in contact with the juice for an extended period, resulting in a wine with a deep amber or orange hue, a fuller body, and a unique flavor profile that distinguishes it from traditional white wines. You can learn more about orange wine production here .

The #WinesofGeorgia

Here are some of the main Georgian wines and the grape varieties involved in their production:

Saperavi: This is arguably the most famous red wine from Georgia. Made from the Saperavi grape, which is a teinturier variety (both skin and flesh are red), it produces deeply colored, full-bodied wines with bold flavors and high tannin content.

Rkatsiteli: One of the oldest grape varieties, Rkatsiteli produces a highly acidic and versatile white wine. This wine can range from crisp and light to rich and full-bodied, depending on the production method, including the traditional Qvevri method.

Mtsvane Kakhuri: Often simply known as Mtsvane, this grape produces elegant and aromatic white wines. These wines typically have floral and fruity notes, with a balanced acidity that makes them quite refreshing.

Tsinandali: This is a dry white wine blend, primarily made from Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane grapes. Tsinandali is known for its straw color, fruity aroma, and a well-balanced, sophisticated flavor profile.

Kindzmarauli: A semi-sweet red wine primarily made from the Saperavi grape. Kindzmarauli stands out for its natural sweetness balanced with acidity, deep purple color, and fruity notes.

Khvanchkara: Another popular semi-sweet red wine, Khvanchkara is a blend of the Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli grape varieties. It is known for its ruby color, floral aroma, and raspberry notes.

Georgian Food

Georgian cuisine, a vibrant blend of flavors and techniques, has evolved over the centuries under the influence of various cultures, including Mediterranean, Greek, Persian, and Turkish culinary traditions. Each region within Georgia has its own unique culinary style and preparation methods, reflecting the diverse landscape and cultural influences of the country.

Agriculturally rich, Georgia has traditionally placed a strong emphasis on vegetarian dishes, with meat historically being a luxury reserved for special occasions. In contemporary Georgian cuisine, however, there is a more balanced incorporation of meats alongside staple ingredients like breads, cheeses, walnuts, and fresh tomatoes. Notably, walnuts, a key ingredient found in many Georgian recipes, highlight the country’s status as a significant walnut producer. The cuisine’s diversity and the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients like walnuts, are central to its appeal and uniqueness.

Some popular Georgian dishes include:

Khachapuri – This beloved Georgian staple is essentially a cheese-filled bread, but it’s much more than that. Each region has its own variation, ranging from a simple cheese-topped bread to elaborate versions with added ingredients like egg and butter.

Puri – This is a type of Georgian bread, traditionally baked in a toné, a deep, circular clay oven. The bread has a unique texture and flavor, partly due to the distinctive baking method, which imparts a smoky, earthy aroma.

Pkhali – Often served as an appetizer, Pkhali is a kind of vegetable pâté, combining finely chopped and cooked vegetables (like spinach or beets) with a rich walnut paste, seasoned with garlic, herbs, and spices. It’s a colorful and flavorful showcase of Georgia’s love for walnuts.

Badrijani Nigvzit – This dish features tender strips of roasted eggplant (badrijan) wrapped around a savory, spiced walnut paste. It’s a delightful combination of textures and flavors, balancing the softness of the eggplant with the richness of the nuts.

Ajapsandali – A hearty and spicy Georgian eggplant stew, Ajapsandali is a medley of vegetables including eggplants, tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions, often seasoned with fragrant herbs. It’s a vibrant and nourishing dish, perfect for those who love robust flavors.

Khinkali – These are Georgian dumplings, notable for their twisted, knob-like shape. Typically filled with meat, cheese, or mushrooms, and a hot broth, Khinkali are a culinary delight, served boiled or steamed. They are a true test of one’s eating skills; the trick is to consume them without spilling the savory broth inside.

Churchkhela – Often referred to as Georgian candy, Churchkhela is a traditional sweet made by stringing walnuts together and dipping them in thickened grape must mixed with flour. This results in a candle-shaped treat that’s chewy, nutty, and satisfyingly sweet, often found hanging in markets and roadside stalls.

How To Get To Georgia

The Republic of Georgia is located at the juncture of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Part of the Caucasus region, it is bordered by the Black Sea to the west, Russia to the north and northeast, Turkey to the southwest, Armenia to the south, and Azerbaijan to the southeast. A stop on the Silk Road, Georgia has been a convergence of civilizations over the centuries until becoming part of the Soviet Union. It gained its independence in 1991 but spent the next decade dealing with political and social unrest. Fortunately, since 2008, Georgia has rapidly expanded for tourism and today is one of the safest countries in Europe.

To get to Georgia, the best airport to fly into is in Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia. If you want to travel around Georgia into the wine regions, it is very safe to travel on your own by renting a car (you can browse current flight and rental car rates here on Kayak ). However, for travelers in Georgia, private transportation often proves to be the most convenient option. This is partly because the Georgian language, which has its own unique alphabet, is predominantly spoken throughout the country. While many locals are fluent in Russian, a legacy of Georgia’s historical ties with Russia, English is less commonly spoken, especially outside of Tbilisi and key tourist areas. However, visitors will find that the warmth and hospitality of the Georgian people often bridge the language barrier effectively. Assistance from a guide can further enhance the travel experience, ensuring smooth communication and a deeper understanding of the local culture and places.

You can book one of our favorite private wine tour guides and a full day guided trip right here.

Tbilisi, as Georgia’s capital and its largest city, holds significant historical and cultural importance. The city is divided by the Kura River, known in Georgia as the Mtkvari River, which originates in Turkey and flows to the Caspian Sea. Central to Tbilisi’s charm is the historic Old Tbilisi area, dating back to the Middle Ages, which forms the core of the city. Additionally, parts of the city reflect 18th-century Georgian architecture.

Since gaining independence, Tbilisi has seen the development of modern architectural structures. This includes key government buildings like the President’s House and the Public House, as well as cultural venues like the Concert Hall, all located along the river’s edge. The Bridge of Peace, a contemporary pedestrian bridge made of steel and glass, spans the Mtkvari River and links the historic Old Town with newer parts of the city.

What to Do in Tbilisi

Exploring tbilisi.

Most of Tbilisi’s notable attractions are concentrated in Old Tbilisi, making it an ideal area for a walking tour, whether self-guided or with a guide . The tour can start at Freedom Square, a central and historically significant location in the city. This square, once known as Lenin Square during the Soviet era, now features a striking golden statue of St. George slaying a dragon, symbolizing the nation’s transformation.

As you stroll through the cobblestone streets of Old Tbilisi, you’ll notice a diverse mixture of architectural styles, with many houses charmingly covered in vines. The neighborhood highlights Tbilisi’s historical role as a significant hub on the Silk Road, evident in the close proximity of religious and cultural sites representing various faiths and communities. These include Armenian, Georgian Orthodox, Jewish, and Catholic places of worship, reflecting the city’s rich multicultural heritage influenced by the myriad of traders and travelers who passed through over centuries.

Two exceptional ways to see the city are from the water and from up high. By boat, sail down the Kura River and under the Bridge of Peace for a unique perspective of Tbilisi. Pass by cliffs, the 13th-century Metekhi church, the Royal Baths, and Rike Park. There are many boat companies by the river offering 30-minute boat tours day and night.  

For an aerial view, take the Aerial Tramway located beside Rike Park. The tram can be taken during day or night. It travels from one side of the river to the other, with the Bridge of Peace always in view. From the top, in addition to breathtaking views, you can visit the Narikala Fortress as well as the Botanical Garden. Locally guided tours including the cable car can be arranged ahead of time.

Starting from the summit reached by the tram, descend the hill to reach the Leghvtakhevi Gorge, home to a notable waterfall. This natural feature is integral to Tbilisi’s history, being the source of the city’s famed sulfur waters. Tbilisi’s very name originates from the local word for “warm place,” a nod to these therapeutic waters. In the Abanotubani neighborhood of Old Tbilisi, you’ll find a concentration of sulfur bathhouses. Drawing inspiration from Persian and Turkish bath traditions, these bathhouses offer a serene escape, inviting #Winetravelers to unwind in the warm, healing embrace of the sulfuric waters.

Wine in Tbilisi

A glimpse of what you can expect at the Tbilisi Wine Museum. Images courtesy Allison Levine .

To learn about the 8000-year history of Georgian winemaking, visit the Tbilisi Wine Museum (8 Sioni St, Tbilisi, Georgia) housed in a 17 th -century building that sits over a preserved underground city. The museum is below the MtKvari River and includes artifacts that have been discovered during archaeological excavations.  

When ready to enjoy Georgian wine, head to Vino Underground near Freedom Square (15 Galaktion Tabidze St, Tbilisi, Georgia). Opened in 2011, it was the first wine bar and retail store for natural wine in Georgia. Owned by six of Georgia’s most well-known natural wine producers, including American-born John Wurdeman, Vino Underground is in a small, brick-lined cellar. Featuring small-production, family-owned wines, there are more than 200 options to try. Enjoy a glass at the bar or take a few bottles home.

Next door to Vino Underground is the Bitadze Tea Shop & Museum , a tiny museum founded by father and son Shota and George Bitadze.

Tea was introduced to Georgia in the early 19th century. The first instance of tea cultivation in Georgia dates back to 1809 when Prince Mamia V Gurieli began growing Camellia Sinensis, the tea plant, in his botanical garden. However, it was in 1847 that Prince Miha Eristavi established the first tea plantation in Georgia after smuggling tea seeds from China. This event is often marked as the birth year of Georgian tea and the beginning of tea culture in the region​​​​​​.

The first tea bushes in Georgia were planted in 1845 in western Georgia, but significant development in the tea industry began towards the end of the 19th century under the Russian Empire, which showed interest in cultivating the tea industry in Georgia. This period saw the engagement of experts to develop tea plantations in the country​. The first tea factory in Georgia was open from 1893 to 1925 and was run by a Chinese tea master. During Soviet rule, tea was manufactured but production was abandoned after the Soviet collapse.

In 2006, the Georgian Organic Tea Producers Association was created. It began with educating producers about new technology and now they send farmers to study in tea-producing countries such as China. Stop by the Bitadze Tea Museum before or after a stop at Underground Vino to purchase some Georgian black, green, and herbal teas. In addition to selling Georgian tea, they offer a tea-tasting experience and can also arrange visits to tea plantations in Georgia.

Where to Eat in Tbilisi

Ninoshvili st. 2, Tbilisi 0102 Georgia

+995 577 32 32 32

Satasuri, which means asparagus in Georgian, is owned by Ekaterine and Iva Davitaia. The restaurant is located next to Fabrika Tbilisi, a cool, industrial-style factory-turned-hostel offering a bar and an eclectic lounge. Satasuri was originally the home of Ekaterine’s parents. She and Iva come from the hospitality industry and opened Satasuri in 2020, opting to feature Georgian flavors with modern innovation. In addition, they have a selection of wines from small producers. Interestingly, all wines are sold for the exact same price, giving Iva a chance to introduce people to interesting wines.

18 Ioane Shavteli St, Tbilisi, Georgia

+995 555 94 94 20

Café Leila is a charming vegetarian café in Old Tbilisi. The building was first built as an art gallery and then became a Middle Eastern sweet shop. The interior has still been preserved since Soviet times. In addition to authentic Georgian vegetarian dishes, they also serve fish dishes in a charming and cozy setting.

0105, 2 Pavle Ingorokva St, Tbilisi, Georgia

+995 598 46 23 89

Azarpesha is a wine-centric restaurant located near Freedom Square. It’s owned by a local collector, folklorist, and cultural preservationist. The restaurant offers a modern Eastern-Mediterranean menu inspired by food cultures Georgia traditionally traded with, including Persia and Byzantine Greece. 

Where to Stay in Tbilisi

Sheraton grand tbilisi metechi palace.

Located a 10-minute drive outside of Old Tbilisi, the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace is the first international 5-star hotel in Georgia, offering 220 rooms and views of Old Tbilisi.

Check Prices at the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi on Tripadvisor

Bazaar Boutique Hotel

Located in the historic neighborhood of Tbilisi, Bazaar Boutique Hotel celebrates design with its bold presence and individualized guest rooms.

Check Prices at the Bazaar Boutique Hotel on Tripadvisor

Stamba Hotel

Located in the Mtatsminda District of Tbilisi, Stamba is a creative hub. In addition to the urban luxury rooms, Stamba has a café, workspace, amphitheater, photography museum, and library. The hotel is also developing the first urban vertical farming project in the region.

Check Prices at the Stamba Hotel on Tripadvisor

Rooms Hotel

Rooms Hotel is in a former publishing house in the Vera district of Tbilisi. The 122-room hotel is industrial-chic and includes wine bars, boutiques, and an outdoor yard.

Check Prices at ROOMS Tbilisi on Tripadvisor

One hour away from Tbilisi is the Kakheti wine region, the most famous wine region in Georgia. It consists of eight districts: Gurjaani, Qvarelli, Sagarejo, Dedoplistsqaro, Signangi, Lagodekhi, Akhmeta, and Telavi, its capital. Wine is likewise very important in Kakheti and symbols of the beverage can be found everywhere. Grapes are carved into old stone structures and Qvevri are found in the fountains throughout the squares and villages of the region.

Of the 48,000 hectares of vineyards in Georgia, 33,000 hectares are located in Kakheti. 80% of the vineyards in Georgia are in Kakheti and 20 of the 29 PDOs are also found in this region. The principal white grapes in Kakheti are Rkatsiteli , Mtsvana Kakhuri, Kisi, and Khikhvi. The primary red grape is Saperavi. Kakheti has a continental climate with rich diverse soils called “cinnamomic” as they consist of sandy, reddish, calcareous clays. The grapes are all hand-picked and there is no irrigation.

Sighnaghi, perched atop a hill, offers an eye-opening panoramic view of the Alazani Valley with the majestic Caucasus mountains in the backdrop. The town’s name, derived from the Turkish “signak” meaning shelter, reflects its historical role as a bastion against invasions, established in the 18th century. Encircling the town is an impressive four-kilometer fortress wall, complete with towers and gates, cascading down the hills, reminiscent of a miniature Great Wall of China. This wall is not just a historical relic; visitors can actually walk along it.

Often celebrated as Georgia’s city of love, Sighnaghi charms with its well-preserved cobblestone streets and architecture dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Dotting these streets are notable establishments like Pheasant’s Tears and Orko’s Wines.

Pheasant’s Tears , set in a building that’s over 300 years old, enjoys a reputation as one of Georgia’s finest dining establishments. It was opened by John Wurdeman, an American artist who discovered Georgia during his art studies in Moscow. Wurdeman has played a pivotal role in both preserving and revitalizing Georgia’s ancient winemaking traditions. His organic, unfiltered wines, fermented and aged in Qvevri, have garnered international attention. The restaurant, helmed by chef Gia Rokashvili, offers a unique dining experience with no fixed menu; instead, Rokashvili crafts daily culinary creations using fresh, local market produce.

Adjacent to this culinary gem is Okro’s Wine Restaurant & Cellar, established by native Sighnaghi resident John Okruashvili. Naming his venture after the Georgian word for gold, “Orko,” Okruashvili released his first wine in 2009. Specializing in traditional, organic Qvevri wines, he utilizes grapes from his own vineyard. The winery’s restaurant features a terrace that provides splendid views of the Alazani Valley, making it a perfect spot to savor these unique wines.

Where to Stay in Sighnaghi

Lost Ridge Inn is a boutique inn, a restaurant, a craft brewery, and a horse ranch all in one. It is located on a crest overlooking the Alazani Valley and the Caucasus Mountains. This rural getaway is the first of its kind in Georgia and is also owned by John Wurdeman. The boutique hotel has six rooms, each with a modern rustic vibe. The Lost Ridge Café serves a seasonal menu with ingredients from their permaculture garden. The craft brewery produces beer onsite and ages it in the onsite beer cave. And they offer horseback riding in the mountains.

Check Prices at Lost Ridge Inn in Sighnaghi on Tripadvisor

Horseback riding and craft beer tasting at Lost Ridge Inn. Images courtesy Allison Levine .

The Gurjaani Municipality, less than an hour north of Sighnaghi, is in the heart of the Kakheti region and is home to more than 80 wineries. Nine of the PDOS in Georgia come from the Gurjaani region. This is where the annual Gurjaani Wine Festival, a celebration of the heritage and diversity of Georgian wine, takes place each October.

More than 30,000 people attend this event which takes place in the forested Akhtala Park and features hundreds of wineries of all sizes, handicraft vendors, live music, cultural exhibitions, and local Georgian foods, including Kakheti barbecue. This festival is a great reason to travel to Georgia in October.

Where to Stay in Gurjaani

Located in the Gurjaani region’s village of Vazisubani, the Vazisubani Estate is a blend of historical elegance and contemporary luxury. Established in 1891, this graceful estate and vineyard was initially the property of a Georgian nobleman, before transitioning to state ownership. Today, it has been transformed into a 19-room hotel, offering a unique blend of historical charm and modern amenities.

The estate extends over a 35-hectare vineyard. Complementing the vineyards is a 1.5-hectare park, an oasis of diverse trees and exotic plant species, adding to the estate’s serene and picturesque setting.

A highlight of the Vazisubani Estate is its modern restaurant. Here, Winetravelers can indulge in culinary delights while enjoying the estate’s own wines. The restaurant is designed with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, which not only bathe the space in natural light but also open up to reveal a swimming pool and breathtaking panoramic views, offering a dining experience that beautifully marries the estate’s historic legacy with contemporary luxury.

Check Prices at Vazisubani Estate in Gurjaani on Tripadvisor

Full Day Private Wine Tour in Kakheti Region with Lunch and 3 Wine Tastings

Experience the essence of Georgian winemaking with this private full-day tour to the Kakheti wine region, offered by Traffic Travel. Departing from Tbilisi, you’ll delve into the traditional Georgian method of wine production using clay vessels. The tour features three wine tastings at distinct wineries, where you’ll enjoy a variety of Georgia’s finest wines.

As part of your journey, enjoy traditional snacks and desserts in local villages. You’ll also explore the historic town of Sighnaghi, set against the stunning backdrop of the Caucasus Mountains. The highlight of the tour is a traditional Georgian lunch at a family-owned winery, offering an authentic taste of local cuisine.

This comprehensive tour includes private hotel pickup and drop-off, ensuring a seamless experience. For those arriving by air, airport pickup is available for an additional fee.

Book This Wine Tour (Starting from $95, lowest price guarantee)

Kakheti All inclusive PRIVATE Tour, Including Biodynamic Wine & Lunch Led by Locals

Take a thrilling private tour operated by Karlo-Georgia, starting from Tbilisi to the enchanting David Gareja region, known for its Rainbow mountains, and exploring the renowned Kakheti wine region. The tour kicks off at 9:30 am with a hotel pickup. Your first destination is the KTW wine factory, where you’ll indulge in a tasting of five exquisite Georgian wines, along with a cognac and chacha.

Continue to Badiauri to savor hot Shoti bread with cheese, then visit Bodbe’s Saint Ninos convent, overlooking the lush Alazani valley. Next, explore Sighnaghi, the ‘city of love’, famed for its 23 towers. The tour then takes you to the 6th-century David Gareja Lavra, a remarkable monastery carved into rock.

Conclude your journey at an organic wine cellar for another round of wine and chacha tasting, accompanied by snacks or a hearty Georgian dinner with barbecue and unlimited wine (choose your preferred package while booking). The tour includes return to Tbilisi, promising a memorable day filled with culture, history, and the finest Georgian flavors.

Book This Wine Tour (Starting from $65, Price varies by group size)

The Original Tbilisi Food & Drink Walking Tour

Go on a culinary adventure with Real Georgia Tours in Tbilisi. This private tour takes you through the charming Sololaki district, where you’ll discover the essence of the city’s culinary scene. Explore a variety of local spots, including traditional taverns, a quaint street bakery, a cozy diner, and an intriguing modern gallery.

As you navigate the historic streets, stop for multiple food and drink tastings that showcase the richness of Georgian cuisine. Your local guide will provide insights into the history of Georgia’s food culture, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of each dish.

This half-day tasting tour is tailored for a personalized experience, ensuring you get the most out of your culinary exploration of Tbilisi’s Sololaki neighborhood.

Book This Tour (Starting from $69.00, Price varies by group size)

Old Tbilisi Tour – Private Walking Tour With Wine Tasting

Join We Are Georgia Tours for a private walking tour of Tbilisi, where you’ll have the opportunity to sample local wine culture. Wander through the picturesque streets of Old Tbilisi with an expert guide, who will unveil the city’s rich history. Enhance your exploration with the scenic cable car ride, included in your tour, offering a panoramic view over the city.

This tour promises personalized attention, ensuring an intimate and informative experience.

Book This Tour (Starting from $39.00, Price varies by group size)

Private Tour From Batumi to Martvili Canyon and Prometheus Cave

If you’re staying in or plan on being near Batumi, and for a change of pace and to fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural beauty of Georgia, consider exploring Martvili Canyon and Prometheus Cave, brought to you by National Georgiagraphic (gotta love the name). These captivating destinations showcase Georgia’s awe-inspiring landscapes and unique geological formations. Martvili Canyon and Prometheus Cave are ideal for both outdoor adventurers and those eager to experience something distinctively different.

Book This Tour (Starting at only $45.00, lowest price guarantee)

Kazbegi & Gudauri Full day Private Tour from Tbilisi

Discover the natural beauty and historical richness of Georgia with a different private tour offered by Karlo-Georgia. Starting from Tbilisi, this tour takes you to some of the most breathtaking destinations in the country, including the tranquil Jinvali Water Reservoir, the historic Ananuri Fortress, the iconic Gudauri Friendship Monument, and the majestic Gergeti Trinity Church, perched at an altitude of 2,200 meters. Additionally, the tour offers an optional 1.5-hour hike to the picturesque Gveleti Waterfall and a stop at the scenic Rooms Veranda.

For the utmost comfort and safety, Karlo-Georgia provides a high-class Mercedes minivan for groups of 5-8 people and a high-end SUV for smaller groups of 1-4. The tour is led by an English-speaking guide, who brings a wealth of local knowledge, history, and insights, and is also a professional photographer, ready to capture the beautiful moments of your journey. Customizable pick-up points are available to suit your convenience, ensuring a personalized and memorable experience exploring Georgia’s stunning landscapes and historical sites.

Book This Tour (From $69.00, Lowest price guarantee)

Additional Wine Tours & Guides in Georgia

la Gebrandze is a private tour guide in Georgia. Based in Tbilisi, she can be your guide around Tbilisi or arrange your visit to Kakheti.

Living Roots , owned by Ia Tabagari and John Wurdeman, is a collective of expert travel curators who craft tailored tours in the Kakheti region.

Georgia, The Cradle of Wine

Wine was born in Georgia. Wine is a way of life in Georgia. And when you add the food and hospitality of the people, as well as the beauty and history of the country, Georgia is a destination to put on your travel list.

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THE 10 BEST Kakheti Region Tours & Excursions

Kakheti region tours.

• Wine Tours & Tastings
• Ports of Call Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Day Trip to Kakheti Wine Region Including Seven Wine Tastings

2. Kakheti Wine Region - Signagi and Bodbe Group Tour with Tasting

3. Kakheti: Bodbe (Monastery), Sighnaghi (Love city), Telavi Wine Tour from Tbilisi

4. Full Day Private Wine Tour in Kakheti Region with Lunch and 3 Wine Tastings

5. Kakheti All inclusive PRIVATE Tour. Bio Wine & Lunch from locals

6. David Gareji Monastery and Rainbow Mountains Off-road adventure

7. Kakheti.Small Group Wine Tour including hotel pick up/drop-off

8. Kakheti: Sighnaghi city of love, Bodbe, Telavi, Free wine tasting

9. PrivateTour Kakheti Region,Bodbe Monastery,Wine Tasting,Sighnaghi

10. Day Trip to Rainbow Mountains and David Gareja

11. Kakheti - Small wineries and family-cooked lunch

12. 4 Group Tours Including Airport Transfers

13. Amazing 5 Days Tour To Georgia, All inclusive

14. Amazing 10 Days tour Around Georgia from Tbilisi

15. Private Day Trip to Kakheti Wine Region Including Wine Tasting

16. Culinary & Wine tour in Kakheti region

17. Private 4 days Food & Wine and Sightseeing tour to Kakheti, Kazbegi, Mtskheta.

18. Private Tour around Kakheti, Bodbe, Sighnaghi and Telavi

19. 5 days tour package.Georgia for first time visitors

20. Full Day Bodbe Sighnaghi and Telavi Wine Tasting Tour

21. David Gareja, Kakheti and Signagi city of love One Day Tour

22. Kakheti.All inclusive Wine tour with family lunch

23. Whole day Wine Tour to Kakheti from Tbilisi

24. 3 Organic Wineries Private Day Trip to Wine Province With Lunch and Tastings

25. Private 4 Day Tour From Tbilisi The Most Popular Tourist Destinations In Georgia

26. Culinary & Wine tour in Kakheti region

27. Best of Georgia - 3 or 4 days private tour with transfers and guide

28. Full-Day Private Wilderness Tour in Vashlovani National Park

29. Kakheti Wine Tour · Full Day Private Tour · Trending Georgia

30. Discover Georgia: A 4-Day Private tour from Tbilisi

What travelers are saying.

Kakheti Tour: Major Highlights

One day Kakheti tour is a journey to wine making cradle of Georgia where you will try finest wine in winery and explore bright samples of Medieval architecture in Telavi, Ikalto, Alaverdi, etc.

Telavi, Ikalto, Alaverdi, Tsinandali

1 Day | All year round | from US$ 85 per person Details

Kakheti, Georgia

Tours, Attractions and Things To Do in Kakheti

Kakheti travel guide.

• 1. When to go?
• 2. Where to go?
• 3. Cradle of Georgian wine
• 4. Rtveli harvest holiday

If you’re looking for a place that has beautiful mountains, lakes, waterfalls and wineries, gorgeous landscapes, cave monasteries and history on every corner, delicious food and locals who treat every guest as if he were an angel, look no further than Kakheti.

Set to the east of the capital Tbilisi, it expands for 11.3 square kilometers and you could easily spend a week travelling around it. Some of the main attractions can be reached in about 2 hours by car.

If you are familiar with Georgian wine, you have likely heard of Kakheti Region. The nation’s foremost wine region, it produces nearly three-quarters of the country's wine grapes, which are grown on land that has been dedicated to viticulture for thousands of years.

Kakheti is well-known not only for its wine, but also for the hardworking, joyful, and good-natured people who live there. Kakhetians are an ethnographic subgroup of Georgians concentrated primarily in Kakheti Region. Around half a million Kakhetians are currently living in Kakheti, the vast majority of whom speak the Kakhetian dialect of Georgian and who identify as Orthodox Christians .

Kakheti enjoys a moderate climate similar to that in the south of France. Summer temperatures hover around +30, Autumn enjoys mild +25 to +15 from September to November, winters get a bit colder and at times misty with around 0 to +8. Spring is also pleasant from +15 to +20. The best time to go is on a sunny day, April-June or September-October if you don’t like to be too hot. Autumn is beautiful with the leaves putting on bright colors and fun at the time of rtveli - grape harvesting and wine-making – you can make some yourself in from mid-September to mid-October.

Where to go

Landmarks and attractions in kakheti.

If you’re up for a real adventure, you could start by taking a helicopter to the gorgeous mountains of Tusheti (driving is possible, but only from May to mid-October and only in a 4WD)– the air, mountain flowers and rivers, stone towers and the vistas will take you to a pure, beautiful and back-to-the basics reality which will make you forget about your smart phone. This is a hard-to-reach, remote and truly fascinating part of the world. Even the locals only live there in the summer, but they’ll gladly host you and put on a “supra” (Georgian feast) for you.

If you’re looking for something less adventurous, take the scenic drive to Telavi (especially beautiful in Autumn when you drive a windy road with dark-red leaves all around you) and spend a couple of days exploring the local wineries  Khareba has great varieties of saperavi some of which have won international competitions, Chelti has also won competitions in Hong Kong and does wonderful European style and qvevri wines) – all set in Tuscany-like scenery, overlooking the Alazani valley and Caucasus mountains. The drive from Akhmeta to Lagodekhi will get you drunk on the wine and the views, but save space on the camera for the national park of Lagodekhi. This national park can be reached from Tbilisi in about 2.5 hours and has stunning waterfalls and lakes to admire. You can walk along the treks; expect to spend at least 5 hours walking to see the waterfalls and wandering around and taking it all in.

Probably the best-known part of the region is Sighnaghi – Italian-style town tucked in the middle of green hills overlooking Alazani valley. it was built in the 18 th century and recently renovated. Cobbled-streets, carved balconies, a piazza, a wall that stretches for 4.5 kilometers alongside small mountain ridges – it’s the perfect setting for a glass of local saperavi. Signagi is also called “the city of love” – you can get married there any time of day.

Just 2 kilometers from Signagi is Bodbe monastery - a place of beauty and tranquility, where St.Nino, who brought Christianity to Georgia in the 4 th century, is buried.

David Gareja

Driving from Tbilisi to David Gareja (just under 2 hours), you will see a completely different side of Kakheti – the steppe, red stone ridges and eagles will make you feel like you’re exploring a different country all together. David Gareji is a cave monastery complex, which still houses a few monks, was built in the 6 th century. It consists of a lower and upper part. The lower part is easily accessible with a church, caves and beautiful views of red rocks around. The upper part is about a 40-60 minute hike up the mountain, but you’ll be rewarded with views over Azerbaijan and frescos from the 9 th to the 14 th century in caves.

Vashlovani is one of the protected areas of Georgia which is often referred to as “Georgian Africa” because of its mud volcanoes, the semi-dessert vegetation and steppe and floodplain forest. It’s also home to cliffs-of-the-canyons, known in the area as the "Sharp Walls".

You can spend 1 or a few days hiking around the trails, which have bungalows, picnic spots and camping sites along the way .

Cradle of Georgian Wine

Kakheti travel guide won't be complete without mentioning that it is also the cradle of wine. Wine-making tradition here dates back to 6000 BC. The traditional method of making wine – in clay pots called qvevri – is still used and makes very unique flavored wines. The art of making qvevri is passed down generations and is UNESCO heritage. Today Kakheti wine-makers use both the traditional and European methods of making wine and have a fascinating variety which is getting noticed on the international wine market – Georgian orange wines have been recommended by the Washington Post and many wines have won international competitions.

Today, more than 70% of Georgian wine is produced in Kakheti, making it the nation’s leading winemaking region. Approximately 80 different grape varieties are found in Kakheti, the most well-known ones being Rkatsiteli, Saperavi, Mtsvane Kakhuri, Khihvi and Kisi. It should also be mentioned that 18 out of 24 Georgian wine PDOs (Protected Designations of Origin) are located in Kakheti.

The main red variety is Saperavi - a grape variety grown in different regions, and in some of them, like Napareuli, Mukuzani and Kindzmarauli the name is protected according to the area in which the wine is made (i.e. a wine can be called Napareuli only if it was made in Napareuli).

The main white varieties are Rkatsiteli, which, like Saperavi is grown in some areas which protect the name, like Tsinandali, and other grape varieties such as Mtsvane, Kisi and Tsitska.

A glass (or a few) of local wine will make any type of Kakheti experience and even more enjoyable one. And with the variety of activities and sights, Kakheti has something to offer for anyone.

Rtveli Harvest Holiday

Rtveli is held every September and is one of the most important rural harvest holidays in Georgia. As mentioned above, Kakheti wine and winemaking play a huge role in the lives of Kakhetian people. Rtveli, rumored to be almost as old as Georgia itself, is a very significant and joyful event in which nearly everyone participates. Nowhere is it celebrated more exuberantly than in Kakheti wine region, where the Kakhetians observe every aspect of the holiday, from grape picking to squeezing the grapes in the winepress and celebrating a long day of hard work with a traditional feast alongside extended family and friends.

Discover Kakhetian Cuisine

The cuisine of Kakheti Region in Georgia is simple, tasty and satisfying, marked by an abundance of roasted and boiled meats and plain salads. Some of the most notable Kakheti dishes include:

Mtsvadi (barbeque) - skewered and grilled cubes of meat, of which Kakhetians usually prefer pork.

Chakapuli - a soup made of fresh herbs such as tarragon, onion and coriander, and meat of sheep or lamb.

Khashlama – boiled beef or lamb.

It is impossible not to mention Kakhetian shoti, a type of bread made in a tone, a deep circular oven whose inner walls serve as a baking surface. The bread has a long, semilunar shape and crispy edges. Kakhetian shoti and Guda cheese is a superb combination and is often served as a snack before the main course.

Not surprisingly, Kakhetians use grapes to make their desserts. Churchkhela , a Georgian candy made from natural grape juice and various kinds of nuts, is very famous across Georgia and abroad. Pelamushi , a flour-based porridge with pressed, condensed grape juice, is usually made in autumn during the grape harvest .

Kakhetian Music

Kakhetians are well-known not only for their flavorful cuisine and exquisite wines but also their polyphonic table songs. They usually feature a long drone bass with two soloists singing the two primary parts. 

The most famous example of a Kakhetian-style polyphonic choral folk song is the patriotic "Chakrulo", which was chosen to accompany the Voyager Spacecraft in 1977. This three-part drinking song, hailing from Kakheti Region, dramatizes preparations for battle. 

The traditional Georgian supra feast takes on new life in Kakheti as it overflows with toasts, anecdotes and table songs. These feasts, punctured with collective singing and hosted by a tamada (toastmaster and head of table), are considered by Kakhetians to be a major component of their identity .

History of Kakheti

Kakheti has a long turbulent history of being part of Kartli-Iberia, independent, ruled by Iran, Georgia, the Mongols, Persia, Russia, Turks and finally becoming part of Georgia. You can see traces of the history in the architecture of some of the sights: the curved balconies in Signagi, the Tsinandali estate which looks was built in European tradition but with Persian-influenced balconies, yet hosted some of Russia’s most prominent writers.

Discover Kakheti

A trip to Kakheti is highly recommended for anyone visiting the Caucasus. Travel from Kakheti to Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, takes around 1.5 hours by car and is marked with scenic views. There are numerous places to visit in Kakheti, including the beautiful city of Telavi, Kakheti’s cultural and administrative center, and Sighnaghi, otherwise known as the City of Love. The gardens of Tsinandali Estate, gloomy Gremi Castle and Alaverdi Cathedral invite you to feel like a Georgian for a day, while Kakhetian hospitality extended in family wineries will likely be as sweet as the wine itself.

Attractions

Miscellaneous.

Unveil a region bathed in the majesty of the Caucasus Mountains and steeped in centuries-old viticulture tradition: welcome to Kakheti, the heartland of Georgian wine. Nestled in the country's eastern end, Kakheti is an intoxicating blend of history, culture, and stunning landscapes, making it a must-see destination for any Georgia-bound traveler.

Beyond its vineyards, tucked away in the northern folds of Kakheti, you'll find Tusheti. This remote mountainous region is a serene paradise for nature lovers and adventurers alike. Its rugged terrain marked with medieval towers, old-world villages, and high mountain passes lends an almost ethereal charm, stark yet inviting. Sheep herding and horse riding, anyone?

Epic, sun-drenched vineyards and timeless winemaking techniques mark the very essence of Kakheti. Hugged by rolling hills, the vineyards here birth indigenous grapes, like Saperavi and Rkatsiteli, ending up in the kind of flavorful, vibrant wines that one might say contain the soul of the region itself. Wine tastings? Winery tours? In Kakheti, you're spoiled for choice. A journey along the wine route will grace you with a unique opportunity to explore historic cellars and qvevri - earthenware vessels used for the fermentation, storage, and aging of traditional Georgian wine.

Kakheti is home to Sighnaghi - often dubbed the 'City of Love'. With its romantic cobblestone streets, Italianate architecture, and awe-inspiring views of the Alazani Valley, this fortified town carries a certain kind of allure. A twilight stroll here, overlooking the valley, is nothing short of magical.

Nestled within the region is the David Gareja Monastery Complex, wedged into the semi-desert landscape. This sprawling, cave-hewn monastery offers an immersive dive into Georgia's rich ecclesiastical history, with vivid frescoes and heart-stopping views of the surrounding wildlands.

Kakheti also satiates the foodie within. Imagine feasting on Kakhetian Khachapuri, its cheese-filled goodness sending you straight to culinary heaven, or indulging in Churchkhela, Georgia’s traditional candy - a string of nuts dipped in thickened grape juice.

When to visit? Try the autumn harvest season or Rtveli, when the vineyards are ablaze with color, and the air is thick with festivity. Here, you'll witness traditional grape stomping, folk music, and dancing - an unforgettable slice of Kakheti's spirited soul.

Whether you prefer the vibrant colors of spring, the lively festivities of summer, the harvest traditions of autumn, or the serene beauty of winter, Kakheti has something special to offer in every season.

So, there you have it. Kakheti - a journey through time, taste, and tantalizing terrains. A hidden gem of Georgia, unmasking the wonders of this splendid region, is sure to ignite your wanderlust. Alluring landscapes, wine-soaked traditions, and cultural splendors await. Immerse yourself in Kakheti - you won't regret it.

Popular Places In Kakheti

Top Attractions In Kakheti

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Uncorking Georgia’s Wine Culture on a Kakheti Wine Tour

One of the highlights of my recent trip to Georgia was getting to experience a Georgian wine tour in Georgia’s eastern region of Kakheti, where 70% of the country’s wine is produced. I spent close to a month in Georgia, and during that time, I was told by every Georgian person I met that there is no better place to discover Georgian wine than Kakheti , which is home to 4,250 square miles of lush vineyards, and a winemaking history dating back 8,000 years! I knew that in order to fully appreciate Georgian wine, a trip to Kakheti was essential , and so I signed up for a full-day excursion to the region to learn about Kakhetian traditional winemaking, amber wine, and the Georgian supra .

In this post, I’m going to provide an honest review of the tour that I experienced. I’m also going to share some advice on choosing the right Kakheti tour for you, including how to avoid hidden costs, lacklustre tour guides, and potential disappointments! Sound good? Then let’s get into it.

Table of Contents

Kakheti Wine Tours – How to Find the Perfect Georgian Wine Tour

About kakheti wine.

As I mentioned earlier, Kakheti produces 70% of Georgian wine, and it is has been making wine longer than anywhere else in the world , with archaeological findings showing that Georgian winemaking dates back to the Neolithic period ! Kakhetian traditional winemaking involves the use of large clay vessels called qvevri , in which the wines are aged with the skins, stems, and seeds all left intact. Qvevri wine is unfiltered and unrefined, and with organic wines soaring in popularity as of late, Georgian winemaking techniques are becoming rather in vogue in the western world. In fact, in 2013, UNESCO named the qvevri an Intangible Cultural Heritage! You can learn more about Georgian winemaking in my article about Georgian amber wine , if you’re interested .

Of course, not all Kakheti wine is produced in qvevri. Most Georgian wine these days is produced in oak barrels or stainless steel tanks (the ‘classical’ European style), although any good Kakheti wine tour will focus on qvevri wine – it would be rude not to! If you visit Kakheti, you’ll notice that most Kakheti wineries are small, family-owned joints that often started out by making wine for themselves and their neighbours! The winemakers are all super down to earth, and wine tasting in Georgia is an informal affair that often takes place around the kitchen table (a far cry from prestigious wine cellars like Cricova in Moldova ).

Organised Tours vs Independent Travel

Exploring independently vs on a tour is always a hot debate, and while I personally love organised tours, I understand that they’re not for everyone. For example, if you’re staying in Georgia for a while, you may want to take your time discovering Kakheti on your own. The best way to do this is to base yourself in Sighnaghi and hire a car. You could also visit Kakheti from Tbilisi using public transport, but getting to the more rural areas won’t be possible, and you’ll also be very restricted on time.

If you want to explore Kakheti by yourself, there are some things to take into consideration: Driving in Georgia Georgians are known for being aggressive drivers, and the roads are not always the safest. Google Maps is also not always reliable in Georgia (my Georgian friends laughed at me when I mentioned it), and so driving in Georgia is certainly not without its pitfalls. Drinking and driving in Georgia Drinking and driving in Georgia is NOT permitted (the legal blood alcohol level is 0.03%, compared to 0.08 in the US and UK), and you might not have as much fun exploring Kakheti’s wineries if you’re the designated driver! Communication Not everybody in Georgia speaks English, especially in the smaller family wineries that you’ll find in Kakheti. Although you might get lucky with some of them, you’ll really benefit from having a local guide there to act as an interpreter. Access to wineries Small wineries usually require appointments in advance, and not all of them open for groups of 2 or 3. On an organised tour, the legwork is all done for you, and you don’t have to worry about not being able to visit you chosen wineries.

How to Choose a Kakheti Wine Tour (Premium vs Budget Tours)

There are countless tour providers online, all of which seem to offer the same experiences. The tour that I did was around 150 EUR, but you will find tour operators on GetYourGuide offering Kakheti tours for less than 40 EUR – that’s a big difference! However, the tour I went on was a premium tour, which offered a vastly different experience to the cheaper Kakheti tours out there. To determine which is right for you, you may want to consider the following: How big is the group going to be? Eat This! Tours (the company I used) have a maximum group size of 7 participants, while cheaper tours sometimes have up to 30. Larger groups don’t offer as much of an intimate experience, and you’ll get less chance to interact with the winemakers. What type of wineries are included? Will you be visiting small, family-owned wineries where you can meet the winemakers themselves, or larger, commercial wineries? Both types are interesting, but cheaper tours tend to focus on commercial wineries.

Are there hidden costs? The tour that I did included a large lunch and dinner, and the wine was unlimited. Budget tours don’t usually include food, and a ‘wine tasting’ could just mean one small glass of wine. When all the additional costs are taken into consideration, ‘budget’ tours may not be as affordable as they seem. Is the tour guide an expert on wine? I’ve been on a lot of tours in my time, and trust me when I say that not all tour guides are created equal . Our tour guide was a professional guide and sommelier, and was fiercely passionate about Georgian food and wine. Read the reviews of all tours carefully to make sure that your ‘tour guide’ is not just a glorified translator.

Recommended Kakheti Wine Tour

After a bunch of my friends had been on a tour with Eat This! and raved about how it was the best tour they’d ever been on, I knew that I had to experience it for myself. After meeting the owners at a travel conference (and discovering some of Tbilisi’s best wine bars with them!), I was delighted when they invited me along on one of their tours. I joined their Kakheti Winter Wine Tour , which runs from November to March and includes a visit to three wineries, a supra in a local’s home, and a tour of Sighnaghi (the summer version of this tour is the Vines and Villages tour).

On the morning of the tour, our guide and driver, Levan, picked us all up from our hotels in Tbilisi. Levan has been working as a professional tour guide for 11 years and is also a trained sommelier, which really showed as he told us all about Georgian wine and food on the drive! After about an hour, we reached Giuaani Winery, in the village of Manavi (named after the local white grape variety Manavi Mtsvane ). Giuaani is a family-owned winery, restaurant, and hotel, and the largest of the wineries that we would visit.

After having a nosy around the gardens, we met with sommelier Giorgi, who showed us around the factory and explained the winemaking process to us. Giuaani produces both qvevri and European-style wine, as well as chacha, Georgia’s national drink . During our tour of the factory and cellar, we were even lucky enough to meet the winemaker, who let us try some wine right from the qvevri !

Next, we headed to the restaurant for a ‘wine brunch,’ which turned out to be more of a wine feast! Giorgi led the tasting of four different Georgian wines, as well as two types of chacha. The wines that we tasted included a classical dry white wine (Manavi), an amber wine (Rkatsiteli), a dry red (Saperavi), and a semi-sweet white wine (Tsolikauri). Each wine was paired with a different dish (or two!), all of which were incredible.

Some of the foods we tried included beetroot with tkemali (plum sauce), pkhali (vegetable pâté with walnut paste), kubdari (bread stuffed with meat and local spices), and khashlama (boiled beef with garlic cream and celery puree). Everything was absolutely delicious, and after a week eating hearty mountain food in Mestia , it was interesting to see a high-end take on traditional Georgian recipes.

One thing I definitely appreciated was the amount of wine we were given. After a tasting of each wine, Giorgi left the bottles on the table and allowed us to finish them off – he even opened a couple more when he saw how much we were enjoying ourselves!

When we were absolutely fit to burst (and more than a little tipsy), we piled back into the car for our next stop – Sighnaghi. I was really excited to visit Sighnaghi. I’d been once before and fallen in love, so this second visit was much-welcomed!

Known as the ‘City of Love,’ Sighnaghi is a picturesque town that overlooks the Alazani Valley and Greater Caucasus mountains. Sighnaghi is one of the oldest towns in Georgia, as well as one of the smallest, and it’s home to stunning architecture, breathtaking views, and, naturally, a tonne of wineries. Levan took us on a stroll through the town (I loved looking at all the handcrafted souvenirs and confectionary on sale) to Sighnaghi Wall, which we were able to climb up onto and admire the panoramic mountain views.

We then headed to the striking World War II memorial, which depicts intricate battle scenes alongside ancient qvevri winemaking images – Georgians really do cherish their wine! While we admired the memorial, Levan pointed out various parts of it, explaining what each scene represented.

Next stop was Kerovani Winery, a small family business that produces organic natural wines in qvevri. We met cousins Archil and Ilya, who gave us a a small tour of their wine cellar to see the qvevris, before our second wine tasting.

Here, we enjoyed generous measures of four wines. First, a sparkling wine from the white Rkatsiteli grape. This was followed by Kesane, a dry white also made from Rkatsiteli, an unfiltered dry amber from Rkatsiteli, and a Saperavi dry red. Naturally, the wine was accompanied with some pkhali (bread topped with various spreads, including pickled jonjoli, green beans with walnut paste, cabbage, and beetroot).

Kerovani Winery is much smaller than Giuaani, and we were the only guests there, so we were able to stay for a while and chat with Archil and Ilya. The two resident cats also made themselves quite at home on our laps!

Our third and final winery was actually a family home, and when I say that Levan had saved the best until last, I’m not exaggerating! Giuaani and Kerovani both provided us with amazing experiences, but as soon as we stepped through the garden gate of Burjanadzes’ Wine Cellar, we all knew that we were in for a treat.

Waiting for us in the garden of his family home was Bacho, a young Georgian who makes biodynamic wine in qvevri. Alongside him were his mother, Maia, father, Zaza, and Darejan, his grandma! After a quick introduction, Bacho began an impassioned speech about Georgian wine, inviting us to drink shots of chacha, glasses of mulled wine, and help ourselves to his mother’s homemade gozinaki (honey and walnut brittle).

After being invited into the kitchen by Maia, who wanted to show us how she prepared the gozinaki, we all piled into the family’s living room, where a dining table was caving under the weight of all the plates and glasses on top of it!

Over the next two hours, we experienced a traditional Georgian supra, where Bacho guided us through many heartfelt and philosophical toasts as we quaffed copious amounts of amber wine and devoured some of the most delicious food I’ve ever eaten. The main dish was Mtsvadi , barbecued pork that had just been grilled by Zaza over a fire made from dried vines – I honestly don’t think I’ve ever tasted pork as good as this! We stuffed our faces with khachapuri , roast chicken, stuffed eggplant, fried potatoes, and other Georgian delights, as Maia kept appearing with more food from the kitchen!

The highlight of the night was when our hosts, who turned out to be a family of musicians, broke out into polyphonic singing, with Zaza giving an absolutely showstopping performance on the piano! Sitting in this family’s living room, drinking their homemade wine, and listening to them sing is probably one of the most special travel moments I’ve ever had, and that’s saying something!

More Information About Eat This! Tours

As I mentioned earlier, the company that I went on this tour with are called Eat This! Tours . Eat This! is run by Tommo and Megsy, a British/Australian couple who have been living in Georgia for over 5 years. During that time, they have become Georgian food and wine experts, and if there’s anything they don’t know, the local tour guides they work with will easily fill in the gaps.

Eat This! focus on small, locally-owned wineries, and describe their tours as ‘premium’ yet ‘authentic.’ Their tours involve meeting the winemakers, tasting homemade food, and directly connecting with local families. They balance wine tasting with sightseeing, and the tours are fully inclusive , meaning you can eat and drink as much as you like! I was a little sceptical about this last part, but true to their word, Eat This! provided more than I could physically consume. They offer several different tours and types of tour:

• A scheduled tour  – Join a group that is already scheduled ( see the schedule here ).
• On-demand  –   Choose your own date (minimum 2 people). Once your date is confirmed, it will become a scheduled tour and get listed so others can join.
• Private tour – You can book a private tour just for your group (min 2 people). These include a 10-20% surcharge.
• Custom tours – Request a  completely bespoke custom itinerary . 

Kakheti Tour Discount

Eat This! Tours have kindly given me a discount code that will get you 5% off all their tours. All you have to do is enter the code jezebel5 at checkout and your discount will be applied. I will also earn a small commission if you do this (at no extra cost to you). View all of their tours here . If Eat This! premium tours are not within your budget, you can find cheaper options on GetYourGuide . As I mentioned earlier, do be sure to read the descriptions carefully to see what’s included and which wineries you’ll be going to.

A Georgian Wine Tour in Kakheti | Final Thoughts

As is probably evident, I really enjoyed my Kakheti wine tour with Eat This! Tours. I’ve visited a lot of wineries in my time (I even volunteered at a winery in Albania !), and the ones I visited on this tour were among the best, not just in terms of their wine, but in terms of their hospitality and the overall experience that they provide. However, what made the experience stand out even more was our knowledgeable guide, Levan, who showed us a side to Georgia that we couldn’t possible have experienced without him. If I had to rate the experience out of 10, I’d give it a 10, and I don’t say that lightly! If you have any questions at all about the tour I took, or which alternatives I’d recommend (or even just Georgia in general!), please reach out in the comments section and ask.

Further Reading

If you’re planning a trip to Georgia, you might find my other Georgia articles useful: Visiting Mestia in Winter – A Complete Guide Georgian Amber Wine, an 8,000 Year Old Tradition Georgian Chacha – 8 Facts About Georgia’s National Drink The Best Things to Do in Sighnaghi, Georgia’s City of Love Until next time, XOXO

If you liked this article and would like to support my work, please click the button above to donate a couple of bucks and buy me a coffee. The ad revenue that I receive on this website is minimal, so support from my readers enables me to keep creating content that you (hopefully!) love to read.

Disclaimer: I went on the tour as a guest of Eat This! Tours. All opinions are completely my own and I was not obliged to write a positive review of my experience. This page contains affiliate links. If you book an experience through my site, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

2 thoughts on “Uncorking Georgia’s Wine Culture on a Kakheti Wine Tour”

Thanks so much for your wonderful review. Id love to get that picture of Tom if that’s ok? Such a great candid shot. Hope to see you in Georgia again sometime ☺️

Thanks so much! Sure, feel free to use it! <3

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How to visit Kakheti, Georgia’s wine region

By Joan Torres 1 Comments Last updated on April 25, 2024

I grew up in a wine region, so the idea of visiting another wine region sounded appealing, but it was not the thing I was most excited about visiting in Georgia .

However, when I saw those hundreds of Soviet trucks extra loaded with tons of grapes and the many wineries still making wine in the traditional way, using their hands inside huge ceramic jars ( qveries ) ; plus the many monasteries inhabited by monks who have been producing wine for centuries.

I realized that the wine culture in Georgia is unique, and then I remembered that, according to archeological evidence , Georgia was the first country ever to produce wine. 

Welcome to Kakheti, Georgian’s wine region.

In this guide, you will learn how to visit Kakheti , including places to visit.

This Kakheti travel guide contains:

Table of Contents

• Best time to visit
• Moving around
• Places to visit in 3 days
• Ninotsminda
• Gurjaani Kvelatsminda
• More Information

our recommended travel insurance for Georgia

With its backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of trekking destination, like Georgia.

If you want to know more about this complex country, don’t forget to check this list of the best books on Georgia , classified into politics, history, novels and travelogues!

Why harvest season is the best time to visit Kakheti

Kakheti can be visited all year long, meaning that you will still be able to visit cellars and drink wine but, during harvest season, from September to October, you will actually see how the wine is produced and, if you go to a micro-cellar, you will see how they produce it in the traditional Georgian way, so the experience will be quite different.

By the way, Moldova is another very traditional country with a very similar wine culture, and you may want to check my travel guide to Moldova

How to travel around Kakheti region

Kakheti is a region which is best explored by car.

I mean, you can move around by marshrutka, but many wineries and monasteries are not in the villages themselves, so reaching them can be a bit tricky, and you would need several days to make the best out of your visit. 

If you don’t have a car, perhaps you may want to join a tour .

Moreover, I strongly recommend you take the town of Sighnaghi as your base from where to visit the wine region. To be very honest, Sighnaghi is not my favorite place to visit in Kakheti but since it is the most touristic town, it is well-sorted of accommodation, bars and restaurants.

Where to stay in Sighnaghi

Budget guest house – Guest House Vista – We stayed in this lovely guest house which was run by a very accommodating local who showed us how to make homemade wine. Highly recommended.

Mid-range hotel – Boutique Hotel BelleVue – Really nice hotel with stunning views of the valley.

If you want to know more, click here to check the best accommodation in Sighnaghi

Places to visit in Kakheti in a 3-day itinerary

Technically, Tusheti and Davit Gareja belong to the region of Kakheti but I haven’t included them in this guide because they do not belong to the area where wine is produced

We visited the following places in 3 days.

On the first day, we just went to Sighnaghi, stopping in Ninotsminda. On the second day, we drove around the whole region, including Gurjaani, Telavi, Alaverdi, Artana, Gremi and Kvareli. On the third day, we went back to Tbilisi , stopping in one winery and Davit Gareja.

Interested in taking a tour to Kakheti? CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Ninotsminda (off the beaten track)

The first village we stopped at was Ninotsminda, where you find Ninotsminda Church, which has been a place of Christian worship since the 5th Century, and the half-ruined Church that still stands dates back from then.

I recommend you stop here for 15 minutes, to take a break from the journey.

How to get to Ninotsminda

Ninotsminda is a relatively big village, so I am sure there are marshrutkas coming from Sagarejo or Sighnaghi but, to be honest, unless you have your car, I am not sure that it is worth it.

The first big town coming from Azerbaijan is the walled city of Sighnaghi, commonly named as ‘’the City of Love’’ by the locals, a European-like town with its hilly cobbled streets and set up, so different from anything you have seen in Georgia .

Located high on the hill that rises from the flat Alazani Valley, with the Caucasian mountains of Dagestan in the background, Sighnaghi is a truly postcard town.

It is so pretty, but you also need to remember that this is a very touristic town, where you can even find a Mexican restaurant and actually, some people working in the different businesses are not very welcoming precisely.

We had a few bad experiences, like when the lady of a café brought me a cappuccino which was cold because she poured milk directly from the fridge but then, very rudely, she refused to change. Stuff like that.

To be honest, after checking out the few viewpoints, I found Sighnaghi very boring and, despite being a popular day trip from Tbilisi , I would prefer going somewhere else.

However, we spent 2 nights here because it is a great base to explore the region, plus it is the only place with a relatively nice atmosphere in the evening.

Is Kakheti worth the day trip or not? – Well, it depends. Are you coming by yourself in a marshrutka? Then, it is not because, in only one day, you will be able to visit Sighnaghi and, in my opinion, there are other places in Georgia which are far more interesting, starting with Davit Gareja or Chiatura. Nevertheless, if you have a car (or you are going on a tour) and plan to visit several places across the region, then yes, a day trip to Kakheti is worth it.

Things to do in Sighnaghi

• Check out the different viewpoints – Especially the one located here: 41.614291, 45.921477 – From where you can see a panoramic view of the town, the valley, and Dagestan.
• Bobde Monastery – This beautiful monastery is where St. Nino is buried, the woman that converted Georgia to Christianity. It is also a pretty cool viewpoint of the city.
• Explore the town, souvenir shops, city walls, etc. – If you don’t have much to do, I recommend you go around to check the town.

Where to eat in Sighnaghi

Pheasant’s Tears – The most famous restaurant in Sighnaghi is also a winery. It is a bit pricey but they have good food. You need to book in advance. 

How to get to Sighnaghi

Marshrutkas leave from Ortachala Station in Tbilisi all day long.

Gurjaani Kvelatsminda Church (off the beaten track)

If you go north after leaving Sighnaghi, after 30km, you find Gurjaani, famous for having the only ancient double-domed church in Georgia, from the 8th century.

The church is located out of town, and you need to walk for 10 minutes from where you leave the car.

The priests living there were surprisingly welcoming, more than any other church we have been to.

How to get to Gurjaani

You may find marshrutkas going to Gurjaani but then is a really good walk to the church.

Telavi is the largest city in Kakheti (but only 28,000 inhabitants) and today’s regional capital.  What I like about it is that it has a very local vibe, but it is not as charming as other towns and villages. 

However, I didn’t visit it much, but we just passed it through in our first visit, and then, on my second visit, I just came here to find transportation to Tusheti. 

If you have time to visit it, then great but, otherwise, I don’t think it is worth the trip, even though I believe it could also serve as a great base to travel around Kakheti.

How to get to Telavi

You find direct marshrutkas from Tbilisi and, definitely, from all surrounding towns.

Alaverdi is known for having the Cathedral of Saint George, an impressive church surrounded by dreamy vineyards, which contains one of the oldest wineries in Georgia, whose brand has been sold since the 11th century, even though they have been producing wine since the 5th.

Here, the priests make the wine most traditionally but remember that, if you want to visit the ”wine” part, you need to book in advance. This is their very confusing website .

On the other hand, the Cathedral can be visited at any time, and it contains some impressive frescoes from the 11th century.

Don’t miss Alaverdi in your Kakheti itinerary.

How to get to Alaverdi

I am sure you can come here from Telavi but, in any case, the monastery is a bit out of town.

Interested in booking a wine tour? CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

Artana (off the beaten track)

When we visited Kakheti, we had something very clear, and that was that we wanted to visit a traditional wine cellar. We had no idea where to find it, but we just kept driving, stopping in the most random villages, until we found Artana.

Artana is a tiny village with absolutely nothing to see, but 1 or 2 cellars which are definitely worth stopping for, as they still produce wine in qveris and do pretty much everything by hand. 

Those micro wine cellars sell actual branded organic wine, pretty good, not like the industrial crap – as my Georgian friend says – that popular wineries sell.

Since we visited Kakheti during harvest season, we were extremely lucky to visit a cellar right during the production process.

We saw how they manually put the grapes in a small machine that shreds them (but they still need to keep making pressure with their hands) and then put them in the qveris . 

That winery belonged to some guys from Tbilisi , and they allowed us to enter and observe how they do all the process, and even invited us to have some wine.

Visiting this micro-winery was by far, the best things we did in Kakheti.

How to find the right, traditional wine cellar If you want to find one of those micro-wineries that make wine in the traditional way, go to random villages. We entered a couple, but the one we had the best experience was at the one in Artana I told you about before. Just remember that the famous ones don’t traditionally make wine anymore, plus they are filled with tourists.

With its turquoise roof and its patterned mud-brick, the Citadel of Gremi is the perfect example of adapting a church to the Persian style of architecture, like most mosques you find in Iran .

Gremi, today a tiny village from the Kakheti region, used to be the capital of Kakheti until it was invaded and destroyed by the Persians in the 17th century.

By the way, very close to the church, where you leave the car, there is a restaurant run by an old lady serving all types of traditional food. We ate there and had a great time. 

I don’t recommend it

The only thing I will say here is that Kvareli is home to the largest and most visited wineries in Kakheti: Khareba and Kindzmarauli. 

These two wineries are, basically, monster corporations that produce wine in mass production. Like my Georgian friend says, they sell chemical crap.

Moreover, the visiting areas tend to be absolutely packed with tourists, so if you ever try to book a tour to Kakheti, make sure they don’t take you to either of these wineries. 

On the other hand, Kvareli also became famous when former Georgian President Saakashvili bought a house here. Hence it became a prime tourist spot among locals and wealthy Russians.

Because of this, I believe that there must be some good restaurants and fancy accommodation, but in any case, this is not what you came to Kakheti for.

More information for visiting Kakheti

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

Don’t forget to check our travel guide to Georgia .

As well as all our Georgia articles:

• Travel Guide to Kazbegi
• Tbilisi Travel Guide
• Georgia Itinerary
• Best Books on Georgia
• Trekking Guide to Georgia

One reply on “How to visit Kakheti, Georgia’s wine region”

I stayed in Tbilisi and visited Kazbegi in Georgia, but now I regret not seeing Kakheti! Georgian wine is something special. Thanks for sharing

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Andrew Montgomery

The eastern region of Kakheti is Georgia’s premier wine-producing area. Almost everywhere you go, you’ll be invited to drink a glass of traditional qvevri brew, and it’s easy to find yourself wandering around in a semipermanent mellow haze. Kakheti is also rich in history: here you’ll find the incredible monastery cave complex of Davit Gareja in a desolate spot overlooking the Azerbaijan border; the vaguely Tuscan-looking hilltop town of Sighnaghi; and many extraordinarily located churches and castles – both ruined and restored – around the charming regional capital, Telavi.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Udabno Monastery

Davit Gareja

Less of a monastery than a series of cave-hewn chapels, Udabno runs along a steep escarpment looking down to grassy plains in Azerbaijan. While many caves…

Chavchavadze Estate

Prince Alexander Chavchavadze (1786–1846) was one of the most colourful and influential characters in Georgian history, and the palace and gardens he…

Alaverdi Cathedral

At the beginning of the 11th century, when Georgia was entering its cultural and political golden age, King Kvirike of Kakheti had this majestic cathedral…

Batonistsikhe Castle

Batonistsikhe was the residence of the Kakhetian kings in the 17th and 18th centuries and remains today a superbly preserved old castle right in the…

Sighnaghi Museum

This well-displayed, modern museum has good exhibits on Kakheti archaeology and history downstairs, and a room of 13 paintings by Kakheti-born artist Niko…

Most of Erekle II’s 4km defensive wall still stands, with 23 towers and each of its six gates named after a local village. Part of the wall runs along…

A very professional modern operation 7km southeast of central Telavi, producing 1.5 million bottles a year – 30% is qvevri wine (under the Vinoterra label…

Lagodekhi Protected Areas

This remote, 244-sq-km nature reserve climbs to heights of over 3000m in the Caucasus above the small town of Lagodekhi in eastern Kakheti near the…

Kakheti and beyond

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• Croatian Recipes
• Balkan Recipes

Home > Your Guide To The Kakheti Wine Region, Georgia

Your Guide To The Kakheti Wine Region, Georgia

Written by our local expert Guru

Written by a local specialist we know and trust to bring you the most up-to-date travel information.

Written by Kylee Nelson from Passports and Preemies

Here is your guide to the Kakheti wine region of Georgia. The place to be for wine lovers and those who love going off-the-beaten path.

Let me show you my Kakheti travel guide, packed with things to do in Sighnaghi and beyond. 

Located in the eastern region of Georgia , the Kakheti region is the premier wine region of Georgia. The region is made up of eight municipalities, with Telavi being the capital.  The Kakheti region itself was formed in 1990, but experts believe that wine originated  in the country of Georgia. 

While early traces of fermentation date back 9,000 years ago to 7000 BC in Central China, rice and honey were used to make what we now refer to as saki.  However, the earliest evidence of making wine by harvesting grapes was found in Gadachrili Gora, Georgia, in the Neolithic period, 6000 BC.

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

A Complete Guide To The Kakheti Wine Region In Georgia

If you’re a wine fanatic and want to travel off-the-beaten path, then there’s truly no better place to discover the ancient techniques of winemaking and learn about the history of wine than traveling to Georgia . And the Kakheti wine region still today uses some of those ancient techniques to harvest grapes and produce one-of-a-kind wines.

How Ancient Wine Was Made In Georgia

Ancient wine was made using a technique known as Qvevri. “Qvevri style wine” is made by crushing grapes and then pouring all of the remnants of the grape (skin, juice, stalks, etc.) into big clay vats known as Qvevri. These clay vats are then sealed and buried in the ground to allow the grapes to ferment for 5+ months. It’s believed that the crushing process took place by stomping on the grapes with one’s feet.

Once the Qvevri was dug up, the wine was then drunk out of clay drinking vessels. Two traditional types of drinking vessels are piala (a bowl-like structure) and kantsi (a horn-like structure made from clay or a goat or ram horn).

This ancient practice has been added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

How Wine Is Made Today In Georgia

Today, many winemakers still honor the ancient tradition of using Qvevri to make wine, and it’s how a lot of wine is still produced in Georgia. And while there are more advanced methods of crushing grapes, there are still many winemakers across Georgia who gather friends and family to stomp the grapes.

In 2021, Georgia exported over 100 million bottles of wine to 62 different countries around the world. So even if you aren’t able to make it to the country, there’s a chance that you could still get your hands on a bottle of Georgian wine.

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History of the wine region of kakheti.

While winemaking is found and celebrated throughout Georgia, the Kakheti wine region is the most famous and high-producing wine region in Georgia. As mentioned earlier, this area was formed in 1990 from the province of Kakheti and the mountainous region of Tusheti. It’s made up of eight different districts

• Telavi (the capital)
• Dedoplistqaro
• Lagodekhi and

Russia and Azerbaijan border the region.

The reason winemaking is so prolific in Kakheti is because of its climate and the two river basins in the region – Iori and Alazani. The vineyards are about 250-800 meters above sea level, and there are both humid subtropical and continental climates in the region. The two grapes most commonly found to make wine in the Kakheti region are the Rkatiteli and Saperavi grapes.

The Best Time To Visit Kakheti

The Kakheti region experiences all four seasons throughout the year, with July being the hottest month and January being the coldest month. Generally, May brings the most rain to the region, and December is the driest time of year.

If you’re looking for good weather and sunshine, the best time of the year to travel to Kakheti is during the summer months of June-August. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, you might want to consider “shoulder season” or April-May, October-November.

Depending on the year, September is generally harvest month, so if you’re interested in helping harvest grapes, this would be the best time to visit the region. There are many wineries throughout the area that allow tourists to come and help in the process of harvesting.

How To Get To Kakheti, Georgia

Located about 80 km or 50 miles outside of the capital of Georgia – Tbilisi, it’s easiest to get to Kakheti by car from Tbilisi. Kakheti (particularly Sighnaghi) also breaks up a long road trip between Azerbaijan and Tbilisi, so it’s also a good stopping point if you’re traveling between countries.

While you can rent a car and drive yourself around the region, giving you the most flexibility, roads are daunting in Georgia, and drivers are unpredictable. If you’re a confident driver, you could certainly go for it; I’d exercise extreme caution if you choose to drive in Georgia. Most car rental companies throughout the country don’t ask for an international driver’s license; however, if you were to get pulled over or get in an accident, the police might ask for one.

Another way to get to the region is to take the marshrutka, which is the bus system in Georgia. The marshrutka is the cheapest option but limits you the most. If you travel by bus, you can purchase a bus ticket at the station. This should cost about 8 GEL. The challenging thing about traveling by marshrutka is that there isn’t a lot of great information online about where to get on and off the bus. You’ll be pretty reliant on the help of the locals if you plan to travel this way.

In my opinion, the easiest way to get to and around the region is to hire a driver through GoTrip. A driver will pick you up in Tbilisi or, wherever you are in Georgia , and, for a reasonable price, will not only drive you to your final destination in Kakheti but will also drive you anywhere in between.

When you hire your driver, I would suggest requesting a stop at one or two wineries before being dropped off at your final destination. You can also hire drivers for a multi-day trip; though, that’s a new feature since I visited the region and am unsure how cost-effective it is.

Where To Stay In Kakheti

Of the eight districts, the two most popular and that have the best infrastructure for tourists are:

They are both completely different worlds, so if you have the time, I’d recommend spending a couple of days in each area. If you don’t have the time, I personally loved Sighnaghi wine and the Sighnaghi area the most due to its romantic nature and incredible wineries and restaurants nearby.

Both Telavi and Sighnaghi have everything from cheap guesthouses to fancy hotels, and each region is suitable for a variety of price points. My personal hotel choices in each town are Esquisse Telavi and Kabadoni Hotel in Sighnaghi.

How Long Should You Stay In The Kakheti Region

Based on your desired goals for visiting the Kakheti wine region, you could take a day trip from Tbilisi or spend much longer in the area. I would personally recommend spending four nights in the Kakheti wine region – two nights in Telavi and two nights in Sighnaghi. This will give you a good chance to visit a few wineries, eat at local restaurants, explore each town, and also give you a taste of what the region offers aside from winemaking.

If you’re only interested in visiting a couple of wineries, then the most cost-effective option would be to take a day trip to Tbilisi. As mentioned earlier, you can hire GoTrip to pick you up, drive you around for the day, and bring you back to Tbilisi.

The Best Restaurants In Kakheti

Georgia hospitality is unlike any other hospitality I’ve encountered in the world. And because of this, so many of these wineries also serve full meals when you’re wine tasting.

For that reason, you’ll notice that some of the restaurant recommendations below are places that I would also recommend visiting for a wine tasting. The great thing about doing it this way is that you’re getting a true, authentic Georgia experience – eating local food cooked by locals while tasting local wine made by locals.

• Mala’s Garden in Rustaveli – Go for dinner
• Okro’s Wine Restaurant & Cellar in Sighnaghi – Go for lunch or dinner
• Shalauri Wine Cellar in Telavi – Go for wine tasting and lunch
• Pheasant’s Tears Winery in Sighnaghi – Go for dinner
• Wine Yard N1 in Kvareli – Go for wine tasting and lunch

To better understand Georgian hospitality and the different foods of Georgia, don’t miss my guide to Georgian Foods .

The Best Wineries To Visit In Kakheti

Aside from a couple of the wineries mentioned above (Shalauri Wine Cellar and Wine Yard N1), below, you’ll find more recommendations. Generally, the easiest way to book a wine tasting is to find the winery on Facebook and send them a message inquiring about a reservation.

• Cradle of Wine Marani in Sighnaghi
• Shumi Winery in Tsinandali
• Tsinandali Estate in Tsinandali

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Non-Related Wine Things To See And Do In Kakheti

While the Kakheti region is highly sought after for its wine, there are plenty of other things to see and do in the area that are non-wine related. Below you’ll find a list of some other great things to see and do when you visit Kakheti.

• Bodbe’s St. Nino’s Covent in Sighnaghi
• David Gareja Monastery Udabdno
• Sighnaghi City Walls in Sighnaghi
• Tusheti National Park – Tusheti

Whether you’re interested in history, wine, or both – a visit to Kakheti is an ideal trip. Not only is Georgia incredibly affordable, but it’s packed with history and adventure and brimming with things to do.  I hope that you enjoy your Kakheti tour!

What is the main wine region of Georgia?

Kakheti – with 4250 square miles of vineyards, it is the heart of Georgian wine culture. There are other wine regions in the country, but Kakheti boasts such a large number of wineries and wine producing monasteries, that it makes for an excellent place to visit it you want to sample wine to your heart’s content!

How do I get around Kakheti?

There are a few options. You can use the city’s public transport (marshrutka minivan), visit on a guided tour where the transport is provided, or rent a car and drive yourself.

When is the best time to visit Kakheti?

Spring is a lovely time to visit. The crowds haven’t come out yet, the weather is mild with warming temperatures, and the cherry blossoms are in bloom. Wineries are opening for the season, so you won’t miss out on delicious sips!

However, if you’d rather visit when grapes are heavy on the vine, summer is the time. It is much hotter and busier, but the scenery is incredible.

Is it worth visiting Kakheti during the wine harvest?

The wine harvest (Rtveli) occurs in the fall, usually in September or October, and it only last for a few days, making it hard to predict. Often most wineries close down to tourists, making it a tricky time to visit. However, if you book a special package with one of the family run wineries, you can help pick and press the grapes.

Do I need to book ahead of time to do a wine tasting?

For larger, more commercial vineyards, you can usually just walk in without a reservation. You will pay a fee for a facility tour and a tasting of 3-4 wines.

For smaller, family run operations, you will want to book 1-2 days in advance. 

How expensive is Kakheti?

As with the rest of Georgia, Kakheti is very affordable. For two meals out, a mid-range hotel and a rental car, it’s about $60 USD per day, per person.

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• Places To Visit In Georgia
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• 5 Adventurous Things To Do In Georgia
• Top Things To Do In Tbilisi

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Kakheti, situated in eastern Georgia, is a region renowned for its ancient winemaking traditions, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultural heritage. The administrative center, Telavi, stands as the heart of the region and serves as a gateway to the Alazani Valley, a fertile area dotted with vineyards. Kakheti is often referred to as the “wine region” of Georgia, producing a variety of renowned wines, including the famous Georgian qvevri wines. Notable landmarks include the Alaverdi Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Gremi architectural complex, representing medieval Georgian architecture. The region’s welcoming atmosphere, coupled with its rich history and culinary delights, makes Kakheti a captivating destination for those seeking a blend of cultural exploration and gastronomic pleasures.

A gastronomic guide to Georgia — the country's best wineries and restaurants

Georgia is fast earning its adventure travel stripes, with world-class hiking and off-piste skiing in the Greater Caucasus mountains. However, it's the country's vineyards and kitchens that are really stealing the show with their local wines and field-to-fork cuisine.

Vibrant and varied, Georgia’s cuisine reflects its location at the intersection of Europe and Asia on the eastern shore of the Black Sea. The country has a dozen climatic zones, ranging from subtropical to high alpine and semi-desert, which provide a bounty of produce, including 500 indigenous grape varieties. Food is lovingly made using centuries-old cooking techniques, including fragrant stews, bright salads and earthy soups, as well as a wealth of regional dishes. A sense of generosity underpins every meal — whether it’s at a family-run vineyard where free-pouring and zealous toasting are the norm, or at a restaurant where the table often ends up three-plates deep. Sample the flavours of the country with these wining-and-dining experiences.

From grape to glass

In Manavi, near Georgia’s capital city Tbilisi, family-owned Giuaani is an independent winery that traces its origins back to 1894, when its first qvevri (clay winemaking vessels) were placed in the ground. Head winemaker Giorgi Jmukhadze uses them in tandem with oak barrels and steel tanks, so you can compare traditional Georgian and more familiar European-style wines. Wine flights feature khikhvi, a classic dry amber wine (also known as orange wine), and an upbeat rosé that blends cabernet sauvignon and tavkveri grapes.

For a more immersive wine experience, take a tour of the Kvareli Wine Cave in the Kakheti region of eastern Georgia. Operated by Khareba , one of the country’s largest commercial wineries, it’s made up of a four-and-a-half-mile-long network of tunnels, hewn from the foothills of the Greater Caucasus on the eastern side of the Alazani Valley. The complex was originally constructed for military purposes during the Cold War, but now the stable 12-16C temperatures provide ideal conditions for ageing and storing wine. A guided tour of the space and its 25,000-strong collection of bottles culminates with a tasting.

In the small city of Ambrolauri, around 150 miles north west of Tbilisi in the mountainous Racha region, a giant wine bottle statue towering over the main intersection is your first hint of the drink’s importance to this part of the country. Its label reads ‘Khvanchkara’, the region’s syrupy-sweet, darkly-coloured red wine made from aleksandrouli and mujuretuli grapes. Stalin confiscated the wine from its original creators, the noble Kipiani family, in order to manufacture it en masse. Today, winery Royal Khvanchkara has recovered a Stalin-era factory to take the Kipiani’s winemaking legacy back to its roots. Headed by 11th-generation vintner Lado Uzunashvili, it offers grape-to-glass tours and tastings.

From field to fork

Located in the courtyard of the Writers’ House in old Tbilisi, a turn-of-the-century mansion built for brandy baron and philanthropist David Sarajishvili, chef Tekuna Gachechiladze’s Cafe Littera is perfect for al fresco dining. Gachechiladze is known as a renegade of Georgian cuisine thanks to her open-minded approach to traditional recipes. Local produce is front and centre on the menu, which marries classic Georgian flavours with European techniques in dishes such as chilled sorrel and mint soup, fig carpaccio with Tushetian guda cheese and veal tartare with local truffles. Sit on the tiled terrace or plant yourself under a tree in the sculpture garden between the stone busts.

Meanwhile, keeping with the literary theme, the west Georgian city of Kutaisi was recently named as a UNESCO Creative City of Literature and was once the stomping ground for some of the country’s most influential composers, playwrights and poets. There, you’ll find the restaurant Doli , which evokes the intimacy of a 20th-century writers’ salon. Order the gobi, a large wooden bowl piled high with a selection of different dishes including vibrant pkhali — a vegan-friendly dish, sometimes called ‘Georgian pâté’, made by combining beetroot leaves, spinach, wild cabbage and other vegetables with finely ground walnuts and spices. Then peek into the kitchen to see chef Giorgi Andghuladze cook mchadi (Georgian cornbread) the old-school way in stacked clay pans called ketsi.

Further west, the historic Samegrelo region stands out for its flavoursome cuisine. In the region’s capital Zugdidi, Diaroni (meaning ‘a place for a feast’ in the Megrelian language) restaurant rings out with live folk music most nights of the week. In the past, fiery pepper blend ajika was used in Georgia to ward off diseases. Nowadays, at Diaroni, ajika lends its heat to kharcho, a stew of beef or chicken with a velvety walnut sauce. The restaurant’s showpiece is elarji — cornmeal blended with stringy cheese, which the servers take great pleasure in twirling and pulling over their heads before heaping onto your plate.

On the Black Sea Coast in the city of Batumi, Oval restaurant gives the catch of the day the fine-dining treatment, serving fresh seafood with both Georgian and Asian flavours. Try the likes of tasty tom yam shrimp or fresh mussels in a tarragon-heavy broth called chakapuli. Oval’s chef Guram Bagdhoshvili also offers a special snail dish and a decadent version of adjaruli khachapuri — Georgia’s iconic boat-shaped cheese pie with a glistening egg yolk at its centre — featuring tenili, a rare cheese made by pulling softened curds. Both dishes are specialties of the Meskheti region, where Bagdhoshvili traces his ancestry to.

Related Topics

• FOOD TOURISM
• FOOD CULTURE
• FOOD HISTORY

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Travel | Georgia: Tasting and toasting in the cradle of wine

S ipping wine in Georgia is similar to enjoying velvety gelato in Italy or gorging on sinuous sushi in Japan. For a tiny Caucasian nation, Georgia has an immensely rich winemaking tradition, dating back 8,000 years. Archaeological evidence reveals that Georgians were the first to discover that grape juice could be turned into wine by burying pressed, whole grapes, with their skin, stem and pips, in an egg-shaped clay pot called qvevri and leaving it to ferment for five to six months. This unique, traditional Georgian wine-making technique is UNESCO listed for its cultural value and passed down through generations. Hence, Georgian families and communities produce their own wine which often flows liberally, in elegant glassware, over an endless stream of toasts by the tamada (toastmaster) at a supra (celebration or feast), whatever the occasion.

Vino is so indispensable to Georgian identity and sense of pride that wine cellars are considered holy places, wine-drinking paraphernalia have been found at ruins and burial sites, and home gardens are adorned with grape-vine wrapped trellises. Expect to see wine and vines as carvings on tombs; on artwork and sculptures depicting the local way of life and in the form of local staples like churchkhela (walnut candy made from grape juice), and chacha (a strong liquor made from grape pomace).

From grape to glass on the Kakheti Wine Route

Synonymous with rolling vineyards, Kakheti, the eastern enclave of Georgia, cultivates around 70 per cent of the country's grape harvest. Spending time in its fairytale towns comes with learning to pronounce some tongue-twisting grape varieties such as Saperavi, Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane, meeting the winemakers at maranis (tiny, family-owned wine cellars), savouring wine along with the hearty local cuisine and more. Rule of thumb: You must say :Gaumarjos!: every time you raise your glass.

Word to the wise: Ditch the widely-promoted Kakheti day trip from Tbilisi, instead, set aside three full days for meaningful exploration. These are some of the must-dos on the Kakheti Wine Route, a scenic sign-posted circuit.

Tsinandali—A village of many firsts 

Once compared by French Author Alexandre Dumas to paradise, the village of Tsinandali is where Georgians were first introduced to the classical European style of winemaking by Romantic poet and military man Alexander Chavchavadze at the beginning of the 19th century. It's almost logical to begin here since the first bottle of qvevri wine was also corked here! Today, both antique and modern winemaking methods coexist in this idyllic village.

For a peek into the past, head to Prince Chavchavadze's sprawling, leafy estate which is home to the ornate Chavchavadze Palace Museum, one of the most significant cultural heritage monuments in Kakheti. Browse through the rooms filled with vintage furniture, musical instruments, crockery, paintings, photography, lithography and accoutrements from the days of the Chavchavadze dynasty. Combine it with a visit to the open-air cellar on the palace premises for a glass of Tsinandali wine. At the neighbouring enotheque, you can also browse through Chavchavadze's personal collection of over 16,500 historical vintages along with winemaking ephemera.

Where to stay: A Radisson Collection Hotel and a harmonious part of the Chavchavadze Estate, Tsinandali Estate offers tastefully decorated rooms with breath-taking views, a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Caucasus Mountains, a spa, a posh library bar, restaurants serving delightful Georgian and European cuisines and access to the Estate's historical winery and gardens.

Packages start at 450 GEL (Rs 13,500) per night for two, and includes a lavish breakfast; https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-collection-tsinandali-georgia

Word to the wise: Consider spending two nights in Tsinandali which makes for a good base to explore the surrounding wineries and the city of Telavi which is just a 15-minute drive from the estate.

Museum visit, tasting and luncheon at Shumi Winery

Founded in 2001, Shumi Winery in Tsinandali houses a museum with wine-related exhibits as old as 6,000 years, maps and more. Pop into their atmospheric marani where wines are made in qvevri vessels and aged in oak barrels, followed by the cellar vault which hosts a library of Shumi's best wine bottles, all purposefully left caked in dust to protect the wine from light.

Word to the wise: Visit the winery around lunchtime: Meals and tastings take place in a pretty garden decorated with fountains and sculptures made by local artists.

Packages start at 35 GEL (Rs 1,050) for tours and tastings; https://www.facebook.com/SHUMIWINERY/

Telavi—Georgia's medieval wine capital 

Telavi, sitting at the foothills of the Gombori Mountains and oozing a big village vibe, is the capital city of Kakheti. Start your wine-centric tour at the Telavi Historical Museum. Take time to gawk at paintings by homegrown artist Jemal Khutsishvili who depicts Kakheti's vineyard landscapes and daily rituals like the wine harvest.

For some insights into the ancient Georgian art of qvevri production, visit the Kbilashvili family workshop. Watch father-son duo, Remi and Zaza build the wine-making clay vessel from the very scratch.

Telavi is loaded with cheese bars fit for epicureans. Wrap up with an evening spent indulging in local wines paired with an elaborate Georgian cheese board at the cosy and stylish Odlisi on the architecturally rich Cholokashvili Street.

Word to the wise: It's best to opt for a chauffeur-driven car to be able to cover all the highlights in a day, without losing any time looking for transport.

Sighnaghi—a picture-perfect town overlooking the Alazani Valley

An hour and a half's drive from Telavi is Sighnaghi, the flawless denouement to your Kakhetian wine drama. Characterised by narrow, cobblestone streets lined with carpet sellers, pretty arches and pastel, rust-roofed houses, Georgia's fairytale, walled town is full of wineries, bistros and cafes that offer dreamy panoramic views of the Alazani Valley's patchwork fields and the peaks of the Greater Caucasus. Sighnaghi sunsets are particularly splendid! When here, think of slow meals at local family-run restaurants and wineries like Okro's Wine, a cosy cellar with a terrace setting or Pheasant's Tears that serves home-style Georgian dishes with a nice selection of wines.

Where to stay: Spend a night at Kabadoni, a spa hotel in the historical centre. Its enchanting rooms and public spaces come with colourful Georgian and Eastern motifs, rugs and carpets.

Packages start at 388 GEL (Rs 11,640) per night; includes a hearty breakfast; http://kabadoni.ge/