Wine Tours in Georgia

Our wine tours in Georgia are perfect for anyone who wants to explore and enjoy the ancient Georgian wines and delicious Georgian cuisine.

It has long been known that Georgia is the oldest wine country in the world. Amazing discoveries have been made near Tbilisi, in the small town of Marneuri in the Lower Kartli region, proving that wine was being made here as early as 8000 years ago. Wine is much more than just a drink for Georgians. It is an integral part of their identity and culture.

Wine grows almost everywhere in Georgia and varies greatly from region to region and even from village to village. Thanks to its unique winemaking method, in which the wine is fermented in a Qvevri, a special vessel, Georgian wine has a very special taste and an unique aroma.

We warmly invite you to discover all this on one of our wine tours in Georgia. On our trips, we not only visit the country’s most famous wine regions, such as Kakheti and Inner Kartli, but also other regions where wine is grown but which may not be as well known. This gives us a wonderful opportunity to explore Racha, Lechkhumi and Imereti on our tours.

We visit both famous wine producers and small, family-run wineries on our wine tours through Georgia, because we believe it is important to get to know the local people and be inspired by them.

Our experienced and friendly tour guides, who specialised in wine and culinary tours, are happy to help and ensure you have an unforgettable time.

The best time to visit Georgia is from late May to late October. For more information on the ideal time to visit Georgia, please click here.

Please note: All our wine tour in Georgia can also be booked as individual tours.

1. Georgian wine-making method

The Georgian wine-making method is a centuries-old tradition that dates back to the rich heritage and diverse culture of our beautiful country. This unique wine-making method is characterised by a special process that is due to the use of Qvevri, special clay amphorae. This process combines craftsmanship, tradition and a deep understanding of nature in a unique way.

These carefully handmade vessels allow for completely natural fermentation and storage of the wine. The must, consisting of the delicious grapes and sometimes stems and skins, is filled into the Qvevri and buried for several months. This creates a very special contact between the wine and the natural yeasts in the environment.

During this process, a kind of natural fermentation takes place, during which the wine develops its characteristic, wonderful aromas and flavours. The use of Qvevri has another advantage: it enables unique temperature control, which makes the wine more stable and combines it with the specific properties of the clay.

2. Georgian wine cellar – Marani

The Georgian wine cellar, known as Marani, is a very special place where the art of winemaking is celebrated in a very special way. It is much more than just a place to store wine. It is a place where the traditions, secrets and stories of the family or community are kept.

The Marani is often an underground room, perfectly suited for the storage and maturation of wine. Here, the Qvevris stand in lines, and an atmosphere of calm and serenity hangs in the air. Families often gather in the Marani to watch over the wine’s progress together, share stories, and enjoy the centuries-old rituals of winemaking.

The art of caring for and running a marani is lovingly passed down from generation to generation. It is a place of learning and knowledge sharing, where young winemakers inherit the secrets of the trade from their elders. A sense of respect for tradition and for nature, essential to producing high-quality Georgian wine, characterises the atmosphere at the marani.

3. The use of Qvevri

Wine amphorae, known as Qvevri in Georgia, are not only vessels for wine production, but they also represent the soul and essence of Georgian wine culture. These beautiful, barrel-shaped containers made of clay play a very central role in the production of delicious Georgian wine.

Qvevris are so much more than just vessels. They represent the wonderful interplay between craftsmanship and nature. Each individual Qvevri is handmade with great care and attention to detail and, depending on the size, can hold several hundred litres of wine. They are buried in the ground so that the temperature remains constant during the fermentation process and the wine can mature in a natural environment.

The wine amphorae stand for continuity, tradition and the art of preserving the essence of the grapes. This is how wines of exceptional quality are produced. The aromas and nuances that result from the use of Qvevris make Georgian wine something very special that you simply have to love. We are delighted to present our wine tour offers in Georgia, where you will experience all of these wonderful things.

Georgia is famous for its variety of wines, with each region producing its own wines. Some of the most famous wines are presented below. These are the wines you should definitely try on a wine tour of Georgia:

• Saperavi

Saperavi is a deep red Georgian grape variety that produces powerful and complex red wines. These wines are characterised by their dark colour and aromas of black fruits, spices and often ripe plums.

• Khikhvi

Khikhvi is a white grape variety in Georgia that produces delicate and aromatic white wines. The wines are characterised by floral notes, citrus fruits and a hint of honey, making them a refreshing choice for white wine lovers.

• Mtsvane

Mtsvane, which means ‘green’ in Georgian, is a white grape variety. It produces vibrant white wines characterised by citrus aromas, green apples and floral nuances. These wines are light and refreshing.

• Usakhelauri

Usakhelauri is a rare red grape variety from the Lechkhumi region of Georgia. The wines made from this variety are characterised by their intense colour, fruity taste and soft tannins.

• Rkatsiteli

Rkatsiteli is the most widely grown white grape variety in Georgia and produces a wide range of wines. These range from dry white wines with aromas of green apple and pear to traditional Georgian orange wines with complex notes of spices and nuts.

• Khvanchkara

Khvanchkara is not only a type of wine, but also a famous Georgian wine-growing area in the region of Racha. It is known for its semi-sweet red wines, which are made from the grape varieties Alexandrouli and Mudzhuretuli. These wines are sweet and fruity with a characteristic ruby red hue.