Kakheti: Family Wineries, Village Lunch & Sighnaghi Day Trip

Summary

Private journey through Kakheti’s vineyards, family cellars and the city of love

You’ll follow winding roads from Tbilisi to Kakheti for private wine tastings in family cellars, bake bread with locals in a village bakery, wander Sighnaghi’s romantic streets, and share a home-cooked feast with your hosts. Every moment brings new flavors or friendships—sometimes both at once.

What’s the experience like?

We left Tbilisi behind just after breakfast — I remember the way the city’s sulfur baths faded in the rearview mirror as our driver (Giorgi, who has this easy laugh) pointed out which hills meant we’d crossed into Kakheti. The road wound through sleepy villages and endless vines; I could smell wet earth from last night’s rain. Our first stop was Manavi fortress, perched above the valley. Giorgi told us stories about Georgian wine history — honestly, I only caught half because I was distracted by that view: green patchwork fields and mountains that look like they belong in a painting. Not sure if it was the altitude or just excitement, but my stomach did a little flip.

After that came my favorite bit: a small family winery where we met Irakli, the winemaker. He handed me a glass of amber wine before we even finished introductions. We followed him into his cellar — cool air, clay qvevri half-buried in the floor. He explained how his grandfather taught him everything (I tried to say “thank you” in Georgian; everyone laughed). The wine tasting felt different here — less formal, more like being welcomed into someone’s living room. And then chacha — wow. It burned but in a good way. There were homemade cheeses and bread too; warm from the oven and gone in seconds.

Later on we wandered Sighnaghi’s cobbled streets under soft sunlight — couples taking selfies on balconies, old women selling churchkhela at their doors. The city walls are high enough to make your knees wobble if you look down (I did). After that came lunch at a family home: plates kept arriving until I lost count — stews, salads with tarragon, more wine poured by our host’s teenage son who seemed proud but shy about it all. There was something about eating with strangers who felt like friends after an hour or two; maybe it was just the homemade food or maybe Georgia does that to you.

Bodbe Convent was quiet when we arrived — cypress trees moving slightly in the wind and a kind of hush over everything. Giorgi said people come here for peace or prayers or both. I’m not religious but standing there looking out over Alazani Valley, I got why people lingered longer than planned. On the drive back to Tbilisi I realized my clothes smelled faintly of bread and smoke from lunch. Still think about that view from Manavi sometimes… you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Kakheti wine region and culture

• Drive to Kakheti region
• Visit Manavi fortress
• Tour family-run wine cellar
• Taste three wines and chacha
• Participate in traditional bread baking
• Taste local sheep and cow cheese
• Explore Sighnaghi town and city walls
• Enjoy home-cooked Kakhetian lunch
• Visit Bodbe Convent
• Return to hotel in Tbilisi

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Tbilisi to Kakheti?

The tour lasts one full day with pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Tbilisi.

Is lunch included on this Kakheti winery tour?

Yes, a home-cooked family lunch is included during the tour.

Do you visit real working wineries on this trip?

You visit small family-run wineries where you meet local winemakers and taste their wines.

Can I participate in bread baking during the tour?

Yes, guests are invited to help bake traditional Georgian bread in a village bakery.

What sights do you see besides wineries?

The itinerary includes Manavi fortress, Sighnaghi town, and Bodbe Convent along with vineyard visits.

Is transportation provided from Tbilisi?

Private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Are alcoholic beverages part of the experience?

Yes, wine tastings and a shot of chacha are included during winery visits.

Is this Kakheti tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels except those with poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off from Tbilisi, guided visits to family wineries with tastings of local wines and chacha, hands-on bread baking plus cheese sampling in a village bakery, entry to Sighnaghi town and Bodbe Convent, WiFi onboard your vehicle for sharing photos right away—and a generous home-cooked lunch served by your hosts before heading back in comfort.