Image

The Ultimate Wine Guide to Georgia (country)

Regions, Grapes, and Tastings

Kakheti – Wine region
/01 September, 2025
1/
Wine Regions of Georgia: Where to Begin Your Journey

1. Kakheti — The Heart of Georgian Winemaking

When it comes to wine tours in Georgia, Kakheti is the first destination for every enthusiast. Producing more than 70% of all Georgian wine, this region is home to iconic wineries such as Kindzmarauli Corporation, Shumi, and Tsinandali Estate.

Must-visit highlights:

  • Telavi — the wine capital of the region.
  • Sighnaghi — the “City of Love” with stunning views over the Alazani Valley.

2. Imereti — The Land of Qvevri Wines

Imereti is known for its wines aged in qvevri, traditional clay vessels buried underground. The result is a softer wine with a distinctive mineral touch.

Try:

  • Tsolikouri — a light and refreshing white.
  • Otskhanuri Sapere — a rare red with deep character.

3. Racha-Lechkhumi — The Exclusive Gem

This small but remarkable region is the birthplace of the legendary Khvanchkara, a semi-sweet red once served to Stalin and Churchill at the Yalta Conference. Each vineyard here feels like a work of art.

In Georgia, wine is never just a drink. It is a heartfelt toast, a song shared at the table, a story told by a winemaker, and a way to see the mountains through the rim of a glass

2/
Grape Varieties: What to Taste First

Georgia boasts more than 500 indigenous grape varieties. Among them, a few stand out as essentials for your wine tasting in Georgia:

  • Saperavi — the king of reds: bold tannins, depth, and intensity, perfect with grilled meats.
  • Rkatsiteli — a versatile white, crisp and refreshing.
  • Mtsvane — fruity and aromatic, often blended with Rkatsiteli.
  • Kisi — a rare white with notes of apricot and honey.
3/
Wineries and Winemakers to Know

Modern Georgian winemaking is a mix of ancient traditions and global recognition. Here are some of the best wineries to visit:

  • Shumi Winery
    A respected brand blending tradition and innovation. They offer tastings, workshops, and even an ethnographic complex.
  • Tbilvino
    Exporting to over 30 countries, Tbilvino is known for both mass-market and premium Saperavi wines.
  • Badagoni
    A modern winery built with Italian expertise. Known for high-quality Rkatsiteli and Kisi, plus standout bottle designs.
  • Pheasant’s Tears
    A favorite in the natural wine world. Founded by a US artist and a Georgian winemaker, this qvevri winery uses no additives or filtration.
  • Iago Bitarishvili
    A pioneer of natural qvevri winemaking. His “Iago’s Wine” is a benchmark Rkatsiteli recognized worldwide.
  • Château Mukhrani
    With royal roots dating back to the 19th century, this estate offers elegant wines, a castle, fine dining, and curated tours.
4/
How to Experience Wine in Georgia

A tour of Georgia’s wineries is much more than tastings — it’s a full cultural immersion with songs, toasts, and feasts.

1. Winery Visits

Top routes include:

  • Kakheti Wine Road — from Telavi to Kvareli, dotted with wineries large and small.
  • Imereti & Racha — best explored with a guide to uncover rare wines.

2. Qvevri Tastings

Don’t miss orange wine — white wine aged in qvevri, resulting in a rich, tannic, and gastronomic profile.

3. Wine & Food Pairings

  • Georgian cuisine is inseparable from wine:
  • Saperavi + beef barbecue
  • Khvanchkara + sulguni cheese khachapuri
  • Rkatsiteli + lobio or walnut salads
5/
Tips for Wine Travelers
  • Best time for a wine tour in Kakheti: September–October during harvest (rtveli).
  • Take a bottle home — qvevri wines are not always exported.
  • Explore family wineries — often the best hidden gems.

Contents of the article:

  • 1/ Wine Regions of Georgia: Where to Begin Your Journey
  • 2/ Grape Varieties: What to Taste First
  • 3/ Wineries and Winemakers to Know
  • 4/ How to Experience Wine in Georgia
  • 5/ Tips for Wine Travelers

magazine

Related Articles

  • Image
    /16 January, 2026
    Soviet Resorts in Georgia (country) Today

    For many travelers, visiting Georgia goes beyond its mountains, coastline, and world-famous wine — it is also a journey into nostalgia. During the Soviet era, Georgia was a prime destination for health and wellness, drawing families from across the USSR to its renowned resorts and sanatoriums. Mineral-rich waters, fresh sea air, mountain forests, and grand sanatoriums with majestic colonnades and sprawling parks left lasting impressions on generations. But what has become of these Soviet resorts in Georgia today? Which destinations have preserved their historic identity while adapting to modern expectations — and which remain frozen in time? Most importantly, which are still worth visiting, and where should travelers stay? This guide draws on the expertise of Premium Georgia, which has worked closely with the country’s resorts for years, organizing both leisure and medical stays — not in theory, but with practical, hands-on experience.

    Georgian Coast, Georgian Mountains
  • Image
    /13 January, 2026
    Concerts in Georgia (country) 2026

    Just ten years ago, Georgia was best known for its dramatic landscapes, ancient heritage, and winemaking traditions. Today, music has firmly become part of the country’s global identity. In 2026, Georgia stands out as a dynamic cultural hub: concerts in Tbilisi 2026 attract international stars, concerts in Batumi 2026 turn the Black Sea coast into a summer music hotspot, and Tsinandali has evolved into a refined destination for classical music on a European level. The upcoming year promises one of the most diverse and ambitious seasons yet. From stadium-scale performances and international DJ tours to jazz, electronic, and classical festivals, Georgia music events 2026 reflect both global trends and the country’s distinctive artistic voice. In this expert guide by Premium Georgia, we present a curated overview of the most important concerts in Georgia 2026, covering the full season — from winter highlights to autumn festivals, from large arenas to intimate vineyard venues in Kakheti. As many international tours are announced closer to their performance dates, this Georgia event schedule 2026 will be updated regularly with new confirmed shows and festivals.

    Georgian Coast, Tbilisi
  • Image
    /05 January, 2026
    The Ultimate Guide to Museums in Tbilisi by Premium Georgia

    Tbilisi is a city where culture lives beyond exhibition halls. Its streets, architecture, and everyday rhythm reflect centuries of artistic thought, historical transformation, and intellectual dialogue. Exploring the museums of Tbilisi means uncovering Georgia’s identity step by step — from ancient civilizations to contemporary artistic voices that confidently speak to the world. As one of the most rewarding things to do in Tbilisi, visiting museums allows travelers to understand the city not only visually, but intellectually and emotionally. With dozens of institutions spread across the capital, choosing where to begin can be overwhelming. This guide highlights the best museums in Tbilisi, selected by the experts of Premium Georgia, based on cultural value, curatorial quality, and overall visitor experience. For many years, Premium Georgia has specialized in private cultural journeys and bespoke itineraries across the country. Drawing on extensive experience, we present a refined selection of Tbilisi art and history museums that truly define the city’s cultural landscape.

    Tbilisi
  • Image
    /30 December, 2025
    Luxury vacation destinations in Georgia (сountry) in 2026

    In 2026, Georgia confidently positions itself among the most attractive premium destinations in Georgia for sophisticated travelers. The country is entering a new phase of high-end tourism, driven by the emergence of refined hospitality concepts, internationally recognized gastronomy, and curated cultural experiences designed for a global luxury audience. Today, a luxury vacation in Georgia 2026 is no longer about discovery alone — it is about depth, privacy, and seamless service. Travelers seeking exclusivity, authenticity, and discretion are increasingly choosing Georgia as an alternative to overexposed luxury markets.

    Georgian Coast, Georgian Mountains, Kakheti – Wine region, Tbilisi
  • Image
    /22 December, 2025
    Top 5 esoteric places in Georgia (country)

    Georgia is a country where nature, history, and the unseen are deeply intertwined. Towering mountains resemble ancient sanctuaries, rivers follow paths once believed to carry life force, and silence in remote regions feels intentional rather than empty. For centuries, the Caucasus has been regarded by mystics and spiritual scholars as one of the planet’s oldest energetic crossroads — a land where the boundary between the physical and the metaphysical becomes remarkably thin. Far from crowded landmarks, Georgia preserves unique spiritual places untouched by mass tourism. These locations are not meant for fleeting impressions; they invite presence, reflection, and inner change. This is the essence of esoteric tourism in Georgia — travel that works not only with landscapes, but with consciousness itself. Below, Premium Georgia presents five destinations considered among the most significant esoteric places in Georgia, revered for their energetic depth, symbolic meaning, and transformative potential.

    Georgian Mountains, Kakheti – Wine region
  • Image
    /15 December, 2025
    Ski resorts in Georgia (country)

    Georgia is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the most attractive winter destinations in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. Ski resorts in Georgia combine impressive mountain landscapes, a long and stable snow season, modern lift systems, and premium accommodation — while remaining significantly more affordable than many Alpine destinations. Thanks to its diverse terrain and climate, mountain skiing in Georgia suits both beginners and experienced riders, offering everything from groomed pistes to world-class freeride zones. In this guide, the experts at Premium Georgia present the leading destinations for skiing and snowboarding in Georgia, along with the best luxury hotels and chalets for an elevated winter experience.

    Georgian Mountains

contacts

contact us

Leave a request and our manager will contact you shortly

address

Georgia, Tbilisi, Terenti Graneli str., 10-12

telephone
+995 551 055 550
связаться с нами