Kakheti Wine Tour from Tbilisi: Cellars, Tastings & Lunch

Summary

Discover Georgian wine traditions with tastings & local lunch

You’ll taste real Georgian wines straight from ancient cellars in Kakheti, share laughter with locals over homemade cheese and chacha, walk through sunlit vineyards with your guide, and sit down to a fresh lunch under the trees. It’s less about ticking off sights — more about feeling welcome at every table.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed in Kakheti wasn’t the vineyards or the hills — it was the smell. Sort of sweet and earthy, like crushed grape skins and sun-warmed grass. Our guide, Giorgi, greeted us at the van with that easy Georgian smile and handed out little cups of chacha before we’d even set foot in a cellar. I’m not sure if it was the chacha or just being out of Tbilisi for the day, but my shoulders dropped right away.

We stopped at a family-run winery where an old man (I think his name was Levan?) showed us these huge clay qvevri sunk into the ground. He let me run my hand along one — rough and cool, still damp from last year’s harvest. Giorgi explained how this ancient winemaking method is actually on UNESCO’s list. I tried to repeat “qvevri” back to Levan and he laughed so hard he nearly spilled his wine. The cheese platter came out next — salty, crumbly stuff that tasted better than anything I’ve had back home. I kept sneaking extra pieces when nobody was looking.

The drive between stops felt like a nap you don’t want to wake up from — golden fields flashing by, windows down, someone humming softly in the back seat. At one point we pulled over because Giorgi spotted wildflowers he said only bloom for a week each year. He picked one for each of us (mine wilted almost immediately but I tucked it in my bag anyway). The main keyword here is “wine tasting tour Kakheti,” but honestly it felt more like being let in on a family secret than any kind of official tour.

Lunch was outside under a fig tree — tomatoes so ripe they almost burst when you bit them, bread still warm from the oven, and more wine than anyone could keep track of. There was this moment when everyone went quiet except for some distant church bells and I just sat there thinking: this is why people travel. Not for the checklist stuff, but for afternoons like this where you forget what time it is or what comes next.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full-day wine tasting tour in Kakheti

• Depart from Tbilisi
• Visit more than four wineries
• Explore old wine cellar
• Learn Georgian wine making secrets
• Taste Georgian cheese and chacha wine
• Enjoy authentic Georgian lunch
• Admire Alazani Valley scenery
• Return to Tbilisi

Top questions

How long does the Kakheti wine tasting tour take?

The tour lasts a full day with pickup and drop-off from Tbilisi included.

Is lunch included during the Kakheti wine tour?

Yes, an authentic Georgian lunch made with local ingredients is included.

How many wineries do we visit on this day trip?

You’ll visit more than three wineries plus two cellar tours during the trip.

Are there vegetarian options for lunch?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if you request them at booking.

Is hotel pickup provided from Tbilisi?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi are included in your day trip.

What is chacha and will we try it?

Chacha is a traditional Georgian grape spirit; you’ll have a tasting session during the tour.

Is this wine tasting tour suitable for beginners?

You don’t need to be a wine expert; guides make everything approachable for all guests.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Tbilisi, comfortable transport with air conditioning, guided visits to more than three wineries (with over twelve tastings), two cellar tours including UNESCO-listed qvevri methods, bottled water throughout, shared cheese platters and chacha tastings at Kakheti vineyards, plus an authentic Georgian lunch before heading back in the evening.