Would you believe me if I told you that Georgia is one of the oldest wine-producing countries in the world with a history dating back more than 8,000 years? Well, best you do because archeological findings, including old wine-making vessels and other evidence, verify this bold yet true statement.
While Georgia wine has somewhat flown under the radar, it has caught the attention of the international wine market in recent years.
With a total production of around 1.8 million hectoliters, wine tourism in Georgia is ever-growing, with its culture, gastronomy, and of course, its wine history all being highly attractive to travelers.
Where do I fit in?
Well, I’m here to help sort through the best winery tours in Georgia for your convenience. These tours are conducted by knowledgeable locals who know the regions and their wines backwards – the perfect way to discover both in a fun, wine-fueled day.
So, let’s dive in!
Photo: Roaming Ralph
What is a Vineyard Tour?
Right, before we get into the crux of the article, it’s important to clarify a couple of things. The most important is defining what exactly a vineyard tour is. Now, you might be thinking to yourself that it’s merely a walk through the vineyards, but that couldn’t be further from the truth!
While most vineyard tours do include a vineyards walk, that’s only the tip of the iceberg – they encompass so much more! A winery tour might be a better way to describe the day as that’s essentially what you’ll be doing.
This might include meeting the winemaker and tasting room staff, touring the cellar and barrel rooms, tasting wines out of the tanks, and learning all about the history of the estate. You will, of course, also get to taste the wines in either a formal or informal setting – the highlight of the day.
The tours all usually include transport too, so you won’t need to worry about drinking and driving – a big no-no. It also allows you to relax and enjoy the day without having to nominate a member of your group to be the designated driver. Besides, who wants to watch their friends or family having fun without being able to participate?
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Wine Regions of Georgia
The second important thing that needs to be addressed before jumping into the best winery tours in Georgia are the country’s wine regions. Now, a trip to Georgia is pretty blessed when it comes to wine regions and they are all rather unique. Each has its own specialties and focuses on particular varietals or production techniques.
However, one thing is for certain – no matter where you are in the country, there’s always going to be an amazing vineyard close by. Phew!
Let’s now take a look at the most significant wine regions in Georgia.
Kakheti
Kakheti, found in the easternmost stretches of Georgia, is arguably the most important wine region in the country. Almost three-quarters of all grapes grown in Georgia come from the Kakheti region and it’s also responsible for some of the country’s highest quality grapes. You can even argue that it’s home to the best wine in the entire Caucasus region!
There are a large number of microclimates littered throughout Kakheti, with the most significant being found along the Alazani River. Conditions range from mild and tropical to arid, with an overall ample amount of rainfall too.
The predominant soil type found in Kakheti is called “cinnamonic”, a somewhat hybrid soil type comprised of sandy, reddish, calcareous clays with high iron content. It is in these soils that red varietals such as Saperavi and Cabernet Sauvignon, and white varietals such as Kakhuri Mtsvani and Rkatsiteli, thrive.
Imereti
The Imereti region is found in western Georgia along the upper areas of the Rioni River. It is by far the most diverse wine-growing region with a range of mesoclimates and altitudes. It is bordered by the Meskheti Mountains, the Caucasus Ridge, the Likha Ridge, and the Tskhenistskali River, with altitudes ranging from 50 – 500 meters above sea level.
Generally speaking, the winters are cold and wet and the summers are hot and dry allowing full phenolic ripeness to occur. Stony loams with a high calcium carbonate content are commonly found and are rich in limestone, a viticulturist’s dream. The limestone facilitates the production of white grape varietals and lends a certain minerality to the wines.
White grapes rule supreme in Imereti, with Tsitska and Tsolikouri being the most popular. They are generally blended together, much like Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon in Bordeaux. While red wine production is far inferior, it still exists with Otskhanuri-Sapere and Rko dominating the plantings.
Kartli
The Kartli region is found in central Georgia to the east of the Kakheti region. While Kakheti completely overshadows the Kartli region in sheer magnitude, Kartli is going through a revival with many of the old vines being resurrected. Though traditional wine-making methods are still employed, there is also a drive towards what you’d typically ysee while traveling around Europe, like sparkling wines.
The region can be divided into three sub-zones – Kvemo (Lower) Kartli, Shida (Inner) Kartli, and Mtskheta-Mtianeti. They typically all display similar soil types, with loose sandstone being the most common. Calcareous clays and loams can also be found in more isolated quantities throughout Kartli.
The most famous wine from Kartli is called Atenuri – a naturally sparkling wine similar to Methode Ancestrale, made from the Goruli Mtsvane and Chinuri grapes. Other popular native varietals include Saperavi, Takveri, Shavkapito, and Chinuri.
Racha-Lechkhumi
In contrast to the Kakheti region, Racha-Lechkhumi is one of the smallest wine regions in Georgia, nestled between the slopes of the Greater Caucasus mountains and the Imereti region. With cold winters and hot, dry summers, Racha-Lechkhumi experiences relatively high humidity levels. Vineyards are generally planted with thin canopies and at low densities to prevent the detrimental effects of fungal rot.
As a result of the sunny climatic conditions present in the region, the resulting wines are generally a bit sweeter than others. The predominant white wine varietals that are planted in Racha-Lechkhumi all, funnily enough, begin with a ‘T’ – Tsolikouri aka Bazaleturi, Tetra, and Tsitska. On the red grape front, the most commonly planted varietals include Saperavi, Usakhelauri, Orbeluri Odzhaleshi, Alexandrouli, and Mujuretuli aka Keduretuli.
One of the most famous wines from Racha-Lechkhumi comes from a sub-region called Khvanchakara. The area produces semi-sweet wines from a combination of the Mujuretuli and Alexandrouli grapes.
Black Sea Coast
Last but not least is the Black Sea Coast region, located to the extreme west of the country and best known for its “joyful” wines. Many sub-regions make up the area, including Abkhazia, Guria, Samegrelo, and Adjara.
The vineyards found in the Black Sea Coast area are generally planted at much lower altitudes (2 – 4 meters above sea level) and are much more sub-tropical. There is also a lot more humidity experienced around the coastal regions, resulting in crisp and refreshing wines that are light in body.
The Adjara region is at the forefront of trying to restore and revitalize the old, native grape varietals that are found in the area. They strive to save these native varietals so that one day they will be the driving force behind the wines in the region. These include Klarjuli, Mekrenchkhi, Burdzghala, Brola, Khopaturi, Kviristava, and Shvashura, to name a few.
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View on Osprey View on REIThe Best Georgia Winery Tours
Now, as one of the oldest wine-producing countries in the world, you would expect the number of Georgian wineries to be mind-blasting. However, this isn’t necessarily the case, and while there are more than 100,000 family wineries, the number of commercial Georgian wineries sits at just over 1,000.
This is still overwhelming, nonetheless, but luckily there’s light at the end of the tunnel – not all wineries offer tours and tastings! There are still a shed load to choose from though. Luckily, I’m here to guide and advise you after putting in the hard yards and scouring through all the tours on offer.
So, let’s take a look at some of the top Georgia winery tours out there. And the best part is, as the cost of living in Georgia is pretty low, these wine tours are hella’ affordable:
Kakheti Wine Tour
- Tbilisi
- 12 hours
- $39
Kicking things off for the best Georgia winery tours is a tour to the most famous region in the country, Kakheti. Now, there’s a whole lot more to Georgia than just wine. In fact, to not explore the cultural side of the country would be an injustice.
Luckily, this Kakheti wine tour ticks both boxes!
The tour starts at the Avlabari metro station in Tbilisi after which you will head to the village of Badiauri for a sampling of fresh Georgian bread and cheese at a local bakery. It’s then off to the Bodbe Monastery of St. Nino and “The City of Love,” Sighnaghi. You can then enjoy some free time and grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant.
Next up is the largest winery in Georgia, Khareba. You will explore their underground wine tunnels and galleries, learn about Georgian wine production and then taste their wines. Once finished, you will be taken to the second winery for the day, Corporation Kindzmarauli, for a vineyards tour and a tasting of four wines.
Imereti Wine Tour
- Kutaisi
- 5 hours
- $37
Next up is a vineyard visit to the picturesque Imeretian countryside, departing from Kutaisi. The first stop is at the Bagrati Cathedral for a quick culture and history lesson. It’s then on to the good part – a winery visit at the Nikoladze Wine House. The tasting is comprised of two to three white wines, a red wine, and even a couple of local vodka-like spirits called Chacha.
Unlike many of the winery tours on the market, this tour is special as the winery has been in the family for hundreds of years. Instead of modern production methods and equipment, they have opted to keep it traditional. So, you will get to see the unique production methods – there’s nothing quite like making wine underground in clay Qvevri’s!
Kartli Wine Tour
- Tbilisi
- 8 hours
- $197
The next recommendation for winery tours in Georgia is this full-day trip to the Kartli region, starting with a pickup near your stay in Tbilisi. The tour departs from the Marriot Courtyard Hotel and takes guests from the city center straight into the heart of Kartli wine country.
The day begins with a bang at the first winery where you will taste some of their top wines as you learn all about the mighty Qvevri. There is a traditional Georgian lunch included in the tour, perfectly placed between the two winery visits.
After lunch, it’s off to the second winery of the day to learn more about the history, cellar practices, and of course, to taste more wine. Just when you thought it was time to call it a day, there’s one more surprise in store – a visit to the Jvari Monastery. I mean, what’s a day out in a Georgian wine region without a bit of culture and history thrown into the mix?
Racha-Lechkhumi Wine Tour
- Tbilisi
- 2 days
- $351
This is no ordinary winery tour. It’s not 5 hours, not 11 hours, it’s a full 2-day trip! Departing from Tbilisi, you will explore the Racha region in western Georgia, starting at Shovi. You’ll get to see caves, castles, and other historical buildings, including Nikortsminda’s famous cathedral.
After descending into the caves, it’s time to come back above ground to discover the picturesque Shaori Lake and its surroundings. Then, to top it off, the real reason why we’re all here – a traditional local wine tasting as well as some Georgian cuisine. All food, drink, and accommodations are provided too, so you just need to show up!
Black Sea Coast Wine Tour
- Batumi
- 1 hour
- $43
Rounding off the list is a visit to the Black Sea Coast region for a winery tour in the republic of Adjara. The region has a rich, traditional wine-making history with a whole bunch of unique local varieties. It’s only an hour long so it’s the perfect morning or afternoon activity, especially if you’re pressed for time.
You will taste a selection of both red and white wines that I promise you’ll love! You’ll also learn about the traditional Qvevri but trust me – this tour does more than just scratch the surface. You will be educated by a local host who will tell you all about the regional terroir, explain the different local grape varietals, and give you an insight into Georgia’s wine culture.
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Final Thoughts on Georgia Wine Tours
That, unfortunately, brings us to the end of the best Georgia winery tours. I hope you’re now inspired to discover the Georgian wineries and their ancient wine-making practices.
With wine tourism on an upward trajectory, Georgia varietals are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future. So, strike while the iron is hot and get exploring before it becomes over-commercialized and busy. After all, a Qvevri a day keeps the doctor away!
Gaumarjos!
Photo: @wayfarover
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
