Georgia

Wine Heritage & Culture

Georgia stands as the birthplace of wine, with an 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition using traditional clay vessels called qvevri. This UNESCO-recognized method defines Georgian wine culture and draws enthusiasts worldwide.

Key Wine Regions & Towns

Known for traditional qvevri wines

• Home to major producers like Pheasant's Tears

Kartli: Central region near Tbilisi

• Specializes in sparkling wines
• Notable towns: Gori and Mtskheta

Notable Wine Producers

Pheasant's Tears - Natural wines, restaurant on-site

• Alaverdi Monastery - Historic monastic wines
• Khareba Winery - Cave tours and tastings

Modern Wineries:

• Schuchmann Wines - German-Georgian collaboration
• Château Mukhrani - Palace and winery tours

Where to Stay

Location

Accommodation

Features

Sighnaghi

Kabadoni Hotel

Panoramic views, wine spa

Telavi

Schuchmann Wine Hotel

Vineyard location, wine tastings

Kvareli

Khareba Winery Hotel

Cave winery access

Food & Wine Dining

Pheasant's Tears (Sighnaghi) - Wine-paired Georgian feasts

• Culinarium Khasheria (Tbilisi) - Modern Georgian cuisine
• Barbarestan (Tbilisi) - Historic recipe recreation

Wine Bars:

• 8000 Vintages (Tbilisi) - Extensive Georgian wine list
• g.Vino (Tbilisi) - Natural wine focus

Wine Shops & Bars

8000 Vintages in Tbilisi offers the most extensive Georgian wine selection. The knowledgeable staff helps navigate through rare and natural wines.

g.Vino - Specializes in natural wines with expert-led tastings

• Wine Gallery - Features both traditional and modern Georgian wines
• Vino Underground - Cooperative of natural winemakers

Other Shops

Traditional wine markets in Tbilisi's old town offer local wines and artisanal products.

Dry Bridge Market - Antique qvevri and wine accessories

• Tbilisi Central Market - Local wine equipment and supplies

Attractions

Georgian Wine Museum in Tbilisi displays 8,000 years of winemaking history.

Khareba's Wine Tunnel - 7.7km of wine storage tunnels

• Alaverdi Monastery - 11th-century wine cellar
• Twins Wine Cellar - Traditional qvevri-making demonstrations

Events

Month

Event

Location

October

Rtveli (Harvest Festival)

Kakheti Region

May

New Wine Festival

Tbilisi

September

Telavi Wine Festival

Telavi

Appellations

Georgia features 18 Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) for wine.

Kindzmarauli - Semi-sweet red wines from Kvareli

• Tsinandali - White wines from Telavi and Kvareli
• Mukuzani - Full-bodied reds from Gurjaani

A Deep Heritage of Winemaking

Georgia stands as the birthplace of wine, with an **8,000-year-old winemaking tradition** that continues to shape modern viticulture. The country's unique **qvevri method** - fermenting wine in clay vessels buried underground - remains a cornerstone of Georgian winemaking.

Grape Varieties

Georgia boasts over **525 indigenous grape varieties**, though only about 45 are currently used in commercial production:

Key Red Varieties

• **Saperavi**: The flagship red grape, producing deep-colored wines with black fruit notes

• **Tavkveri**: Light-bodied red with bright acidity

• **Aleksandrouli**: Mountain variety creating semi-sweet reds

Key White Varieties

• **Rkatsiteli**: Most common white variety, versatile for different wine styles

• **Mtsvane**: Aromatic white producing elegant wines

• **Kisi**: Full-bodied white with good aging potential

Main Wine Styles

Georgia produces distinct wine styles that reflect traditional and modern methods:

• **Amber Wines**: White wines made with skin contact in qvevri

• **Traditional Reds**: Full-bodied Saperavi-based wines

• **Qvevri Wines**: Both red and white wines fermented in clay vessels

• **Semi-Sweet Wines**: Popular style, especially from Kindzmarauli and Khvanchkara regions

Food Specialties

Georgian cuisine pairs perfectly with local wines:

• **Khachapuri**: Cheese-filled bread, pairs well with amber wines

• **Mtsvadi**: Grilled meat skewers, excellent with Saperavi

• **Khinkali**: Dumplings filled with meat or mushrooms

• **Pkhali**: Vegetable pâtés with walnut sauce

Drives & Walks

Essential wine routes to explore:

Wine Routes

• **Kakheti Wine Trail**: Eastern Georgia's main wine region

• **Kartli Wine Route**: Central region with ancient monasteries

• **Imereti Circuit**: Western Georgia's traditional winemaking area

Walking Tours

• **Sighnaghi Historic Walk**: Through the "City of Love" with wine tasting

• **Telavi Market Tour**: Combining local produce and wine culture

• **Tbilisi Wine Walk**: Urban cellar exploration

Itineraries

3-Day Wine Tour

• Day 1: Tbilisi wine bars and traditional restaurants

• Day 2: Kakheti region wineries and qvevri workshops

• Day 3: Sighnaghi tastings and cultural sites

Week-Long Experience

• Days 1-2: Tbilisi orientation and urban wine scene

• Days 3-4: Kakheti region deep dive

• Days 5-6: Kartli wine heritage

• Day 7: Imereti wine traditions

Best Time to Visit

**September and October** showcase Georgia's wine regions at their finest during the **Rtveli** (grape harvest).

The shoulder seasons of **May-June** and **September-October** offer ideal temperatures and fewer tourists:

• Spring: 15-25°C (59-77°F), occasional rain

• Autumn: 12-22°C (54-72°F), clear skies

• Summer: Hot and crowded

• Winter: Cold but good for cellar visits

Getting There & Around

**Tbilisi International Airport** serves as the main gateway with connections to major European cities.

Transportation Options

• **Marshrutkas** (minibuses): Regular service between wine regions

• **Private drivers**: Best for winery visits (~$80-100/day)

• **Car rental**: Available from major agencies ($40-60/day)

• **Wine tours**: Organized trips from Tbilisi ($50-150/person)

Language Tips

Essential wine-related Georgian phrases:

• Gaumarjos (გაუმარჯოს) - Cheers

• Ghvino (ღვინო) - Wine

• Marani (მარანი) - Wine cellar

• Madloba (მადლობა) - Thank you

Sustainability Efforts

Georgia's wine industry embraces eco-friendly practices:

• **Organic vineyards**: Growing number of certified producers

• **Traditional qvevri**: Natural fermentation without additives

• **Biodynamic farming**: Several estates following ancient methods

Further Resources

Reliable Sources

• **National Wine Agency of Georgia**: Official regulations and producer listings

• **Georgian Wine Association**: Industry updates and events

• **Wines of Georgia**: Educational materials and tasting notes

Apps & Tools

• **Gvino**: Georgian wine database and cellar tracker

• **Georgian Wine Finder**: Location-based winery search

• **Wine Routes Georgia**: Interactive map of wine regions

Books

• "For the Love of Wine" by Alice Feiring

• "Georgia: A Guide to the Cradle of Wine" by Miquel Hudin

• "The Georgian Wine Guide" by Lisa Granik MW