Wine Tours in Georgia – Where to Go, What to Taste & Real Costs in 2026

Georgia is not just another country with good wine. It is the place where winemaking began 8,000 years ago, where wine still ferments in clay qvevri vessels buried underground – a method recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The main wine region, Kakheti, sits two hours east of Tbilisi, and full-day group tours start from $14–20 per person. But Kakheti is far from the only option: Imereti, Kartli, and mountainous Racha each offer distinctly different wine styles and a far more intimate atmosphere.

• 8,000 years of winemaking – archaeological qvevri with wine residue found 50 km from Tbilisi
• Over 500 indigenous grape varieties, roughly 40 used in commercial production
• Kakheti produces over 70% of all Georgian wine – the primary wine tourism destination
• Qvevri method (fermentation in buried clay vessels) added to UNESCO's list in 2013
• Group day tour to Kakheti from Tbilisi costs $14–39 per person; private tours from $65
• Wine at the winery costs 15–40 GEL ($5–15) per bottle – 2–3x cheaper than Tbilisi restaurants
• Best season for wine tours: April–October; for grape harvest (rtveli): September–October

Kakheti is the Alazani Valley, sheltered by the Caucasus Mountains to the north and the Gombori Range to the south. Key appellations include Tsinandali, Mukuzani, Kindzmarauli, and Tvishi. Two main base towns are Telavi (regional capital) and Sighnaghi (the hilltop "City of Love" overlooking the valley).

Signature grapes: Saperavi – deeply colored, tannic red with dark cherry and spice; Rkatsiteli – the backbone of classic amber wines; Mtsvane and Kisi – aromatic whites with citrus notes.

Must-see stops: Chavchavadze House Museum in Tsinandali (birthplace of Georgian "European-style" winemaking), Gremi Citadel – ruins of Kakheti's medieval capital, and Bodbe Monastery near Sighnaghi.

Important: many small family wineries in Kakheti are cash-only. Bring Georgian Lari – card terminals may not be available.

The region around Kutaisi produces lighter, more acidic wines from Tsitska, Tsolikouri, and Krakhuna grapes. Qvevri are used here too, but with less skin contact – resulting in fresher, fruitier wines compared to Kakheti. Imereti is far less touristy, meaning intimate tastings in real village cellars (marani) without tour buses.

The mountainous region north of Imereti is famous for Khvanchkara – a semi-sweet red from Alexandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes, and one of the most expensive Georgian wines. Getting here is harder and infrastructure is minimal, but that is exactly the point for serious wine enthusiasts. Vineyard elevations of 500–2,000 m produce pronounced acidity and aromatics absent in lowland regions.

The region surrounding Tbilisi is the home of Georgian sparkling wine. Chinuri and Goruli Mtsvane grapes yield fresh, mineral whites. Key advantage: Kartli wineries can be reached in under an hour from the capital, no full-day commitment required.

Minibuses run from Tbilisi's Ortachala bus station to Telavi every 40 minutes from 8:20 to 19:50, costing about 7 GEL (≈ $2.50). Travel time is 2–2.5 hours via the scenic Gombori Pass.

The challenge with independent travel is getting between wineries within Kakheti. Inter-town transport is limited, and driving while tasting is impossible: Georgia enforces a strict 0.0% blood alcohol limit for drivers. Options:

Car rental is available through Localrent, with pickup directly at Tbilisi Airport. Check visa requirements for your nationality before traveling.

(Updated: March 2026)

The most popular format is a full-day group trip to Kakheti by minibus. A typical route: Tbilisi → Bodbe Monastery → Sighnaghi → 1–2 winery tastings → return. Duration: 10–11 hours, cost: $14–39 per person.

The Day Trip to Kakheti Wine Region Including 9 Wine Tastings is the highest-reviewed option with nearly 2 800 reviews and a 4.9 rating. Priced from $39 per person for 10 hours, it covers Badiauri bakery, Bodbe Monastery, Sighnaghi, and multiple tastings.

A more affordable option is Kakheti Wine Region: Signagi and Bodbe Tour with 10 Wine Tastings – from $14 per person, 7 hours, perfect 5.0 rating with over 1 000 reviews.

For a combined Kakheti experience including both Sighnaghi and Telavi, the Kakheti: Bodbe, Sighnaghi, Telavi Wine Tour from Tbilisi offers 10 hours of exploration from $20 per person.

Not everyone has a full day for Kakheti. Tbilisi has dozens of wine bars where you can explore Georgian wine in a couple of hours.

The Old Tbilisi Highlights walking tour with wine & 10 tastings combines a walking tour of Old Tbilisi with wine sampling – from $15 per person, 4 hours, 5.0 rating with 276 reviews.

For something more intimate, the Old Tbilisi Tour: Private Walking Tour With Wine Tasting offers a private experience from $39 per group, with a perfect 5.0 rating.

An evening alternative: Tbilisi: Evening Walking & Talking Tour with Wine & Boat Ride from $10 per person, 3 hours, including a boat ride on the Mtkvari river.

Group tours tend to visit larger, commercial wineries. Private tours unlock access to small family estates where wine is made in 5–10 qvevri and tastings happen at the winemaker's own table.

The Full Day Private Wine Tour in Kakheti Region with Lunch and 3 Wine Tastings costs from $185 per group, 10 hours, 4.9 rating with 207 reviews. Lunch at a winery is included.

A more affordable private option: Kakheti All Inclusive Private Wine Tour Including Lunch – from $65 per group, with a perfect 5.0 rating. Includes lunch and multiple tastings.

For the ultimate boutique experience: Kakheti – Small wineries and family-cooked lunch – from $117 per group, 8 hours, 5.0 rating. Focuses exclusively on small, locally owned wineries with hands-on cooking.

Amber wine (orange wine) is not a marketing gimmick. White grapes fermented with skins and seeds in qvevri develop a golden-copper color, tannic structure, and flavors impossible to replicate in conventional white winemaking.

Rtveli is Georgia's grape harvest festival, a multi-day family celebration that takes over entire villages. Some tours allow participation: picking grapes, pressing them traditionally (sometimes by foot), and sitting down to a full supra feast with a tamada (toastmaster) leading the toasts.

Rtveli season runs from late August through early November, with the peak in September–October. Book early – spots fill quickly, especially at popular estates.

Dress code. Churches and monasteries appear on nearly every Kakheti itinerary, including Bodbe Monastery. Women must cover heads and shoulders; men need long trousers. Shorts are not allowed for anyone.

Money. Many small wineries accept cash only. Exchange offices are in Tbilisi but not in Kakheti villages. Check whether your bank cards work internationally before traveling.

Insurance. As of January 1, 2026, medical insurance is mandatory for all foreign citizens entering Georgia. Minimum coverage: 30,000 GEL. Policies are available through Ekta.

Airport transfer. Bus #337 to central Tbilisi costs 1 GEL; a taxi runs 40–60 GEL ($15–22). Pre-booked transfers are available via KiwiTaxi or Welcome Pickups.

1. How much does a wine tour to Kakheti cost from Tbilisi?

A full-day group tour runs $14–39 per person depending on the itinerary and number of tastings. Private tours start from $65 per group. Group tours typically include transport and 1–2 tastings, but lunch and wine purchases are extra.

2. When is the best time for wine tours in Georgia?

April through October is peak season when all wineries operate fully. September–October is rtveli (harvest) season – the most atmospheric period. Winter tours (December–March) exist but some smaller estates close.

3. Can I visit Kakheti wineries independently?

Yes, but only with a sober driver. Georgia enforces a strict 0.0% blood alcohol limit. Fines are substantial. Rent a car through Localrent and bring a designated driver, or hire a local taxi for the day (80–120 GEL).

4. Which Georgian wines are must-try?

Saperavi (dry red) and qvevri-aged Rkatsiteli (amber) are the two essential tastings – both are uniquely Georgian. For semi-sweets, try Kindzmarauli and Khvanchkara. For contrast, seek out Tsitska from Imereti.

5. Is Georgia safe for solo travelers visiting wineries?

Georgia is generally very safe. However, rural Kakheti has limited transport options between villages, so joining a tour is the most practical approach for solo visitors. Most tour operators cater to solo travelers joining small groups.

Georgia is one of the few countries where wine remains part of everyday life rather than a tourist performance. Kakheti is the starting point for most visitors, but Imereti and Racha offer an entirely different experience. A group tour from $14 is the easiest entry; a private tour opens doors to estates no bus will visit. The essential rule: don't settle for a single tasting at a large winery – real Georgian wine lives in small family cellars.

Read also:

• Telavi and Kakheti – Georgia's Wine Region: What to See, How to Get There, Prices
• Best Luxury Hotels in Georgia – Premium Stays Guide
• Most Atmospheric Apartments in Georgia: Best Areas, Views and Prices
• How to Get from Tbilisi to Batumi: Train, Bus, Transfer, Car Rental

• National Wine Agency of Georgia – regions and appellations data
• UNESCO – qvevri as Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Georoute.ge – Kakheti minibus schedules
• FAO – Georgia viticulture statistics