Wine Tour from Kutaisi: Nikoladze Family Winery & Qvevri Tasting

Taste natural wine straight from the qvevri clay vessels where it ferments

A wine tour from Kutaisi to Nikoladze Family Winery, where you walk the vineyard estate, enter the traditional qvevri cellar, and taste 5 natural wines plus 2 types of chacha while learning Georgian winemaking methods and toasting customs from a live guide. Hotel pickup and air-conditioned transport are included. The experience runs 2 to 3 hours and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wine tour at Nikoladze Winery

• Walk around family estate
• Visit winery and qvevri cellar
• Taste 5 natural wines
• Taste 2 types of chacha
• Learn Georgian wine traditions

The experience

Nikoladze Family Winery sits in the Imereti wine countryside outside Kutaisi, where the tour begins with a walk around the estate among vineyards and fruit trees. The winery's qvevri cellar is the heart of it: these are clay vessels buried in the earth, used for centuries to ferment and age wine according to methods unchanged for generations. You'll see them in place and learn how the clay shapes the wine's character without added sulfites or modern intervention.

The tasting itself covers 5 different natural wines made in qvevri, plus 2 local types of chacha (homemade vodka). As you taste, the guide shares stories about Georgian wine culture, the philosophy behind natural winemaking, and Georgia's 8,000-year-old history with wine. You'll also learn the traditions of Georgian toasting, the role of the tamada (toastmaster), and how winemaking styles differ across regions of Georgia. The guide speaks English or Russian and walks you through each pour.

A professional guide meets you at your hotel in Kutaisi and drives you to the winery in an air-conditioned minivan, then returns you afterward. The whole experience takes 2 to 3 hours. Public transportation options are available nearby if you prefer to arrange your own arrival.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Kutaisi.
• transport in an air-conditioned minivan.
• a professional guide speaking English or Russian.
• a walk around the Nikoladze Family estate and vineyards.
• entry to the traditional qvevri cellar.
• tasting of 5 natural wines and 2 types of chacha.
• stories and instruction about Georgian winemaking methods, wine history, and toasting customs.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday, Saturday and SundayDeparts at 19:00

Book up to5h before

AgesAdult (10 to 70 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 43 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Travel Kutaisi

Is this one for you?The tour is shared and guide-led, so you move as a group and listen rather than pour or blend yourself. Choose this if you want to understand how qvevri winemaking works and taste the results without needing winemaking experience. The guide handles the knowledge and the pours.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

What exactly is a qvevri and why does it matter for Georgian wine?

A qvevri is a large clay vessel buried in the earth where wine ferments and ages without added chemicals. The clay itself is part of the winemaking process, shaping the wine's flavor and texture according to methods Georgia has used for thousands of years. At Nikoladze Family Winery, you'll see them in the cellar and taste the wines they produce.

How many wines do I get to taste on this tour?

You taste 5 different natural wines made in qvevri, plus 2 types of chacha (Georgian homemade vodka). Each tasting comes with stories about the wine, the winemaking philosophy, and Georgian wine culture from your guide.

Does the tour include transport from my hotel in Kutaisi?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Kutaisi are included. You'll travel in an air-conditioned minivan with your guide, who speaks English or Russian.

What is a tamada and will I learn about Georgian toasting customs?

A tamada is a toastmaster, a central figure in Georgian dining and celebration who leads toasts and sets the tone for the meal. The guide teaches you about these traditions and how they connect to Georgian wine culture and regional differences in winemaking across Georgia.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs 2 to 3 hours from pickup to drop-off, including the estate walk, cellar visit, and tasting with your guide.