🍇 Wineries of Kakheti 2026: Top 12 places for wine tour and gastronomic experiences

🍇 Wine with Character: What Makes Kakheti and Its Wineries Special

Kakheti is the heart of Georgian winemaking — a region where everything breathes grapes, sun, and ancient tradition. Wine here is not just made by recipe but with soul, pouring the warmth of the land and the strength of family into every glass. This is where the ancient qvevri method — fermenting wine in clay vessels buried in the ground — is still alive, giving the wine a rich taste and depth.

Today’s wineries in Kakheti blend tradition with comfort and elegance. Many offer not just tastings, but full tours, lunches with vineyard views, and even overnight stays. To make your trip easier, we’ve included a map showing all the wineries — so you can plan your route and not miss a single stop.

🏡 It couldn't be more heartfelt: why people love Kakheti wineries

A Kakheti winery is almost always something more than just wine production. It's a family story, a cozy courtyard, the smell of fresh bread from the tone, and a hostess who will set the table as if you were visiting, not on an excursion.

In such places, they won't ask you how many varieties you'll try - they'll just pour you a drink, tell you, show you the cellar, let you touch the qvevri, seat you in the shade of a pomegranate, and offer you churchkhela. This is not the "tourism on a schedule" format, this is real Georgia: warm, open, and very tasty.

Feedback from a catalog reader
Ania & Marek from Warsaw, Poland:
"This was our first time in Kakheti — and we’re still amazed. Every winery felt like a story: one offered homemade bread and cheese, another shared heartfelt toasts, and some simply let us sit on a terrace with a glass of wine and watch the vineyards. We truly felt like welcomed friends, not just tourists. We left with a few bottles — and a heart full of warmth."

🍾 What to Taste in Kakheti: Wine That Speaks for Itself

Kakhetian wines are much more than just “red” or “white.” Here you’ll find amber wines aged in qvevri, bold Saperavi with a long finish, crisp Tsinandali, robust Mukuzani, and rare indigenous grape varieties found only in this region.

At most tastings, you’ll sample 3 to 5 wines — each with its own story. Wineries often focus not just on flavor, but on storytelling: the grape’s origin, cultivation methods, and aging process. It's not a simple “pour and sip,” it’s a journey through history, told one glass at a time.

🥂 Wine Tours: How They Work and What to Expect

Wine tours in Kakheti are much more than just a walk around the grounds. Typically, you’ll be shown traditional or modern cellars, learn about qvevri, see how the wine is made, and even taste it directly from the source. In some places, you can take part in the process — from picking grapes to bottling.

A tip: it’s best to book in advance, especially during high season, as small wineries often host guests personally and like to prepare. If you’re traveling without a car, look for wineries near Sighnaghi, Telavi, or Gurjaani, or those offering transfers. And don’t forget comfy shoes — vineyards aren’t always paved 😊

Feedback from a catalog reader
Lena, Berlin (Germany):
“We came to Kakheti for the weekend and loved every minute of it! We visited three wineries, and each one was unique in its own way. I really appreciated how relaxed and personal the tours were — full of humor, stories, and, of course, delicious wine. The hosts were incredibly warm and welcoming. I’ll definitely return in autumn for the grape harvest season.”

🍽️ With or Without Wine: What’s Served at Kakhetian Wineries

A winery in Kakheti isn’t just about glasses of wine — it’s also about the table. Tastings are often accompanied by homemade food: sulguni cheese, mchadi (cornbread), phkali, lobio, mtsvadi (shashlik), khinkali, and sometimes even churchkhela or fresh honey.

The hosts take pride not only in their wine but in their food as well — everything is served with warmth, care, and that famous Georgian hospitality. Many wineries even turn tastings into mini-feasts with toasts, songs, and heartfelt stories. So if you’re planning a wine tour — skip the big breakfast 😉

🎁 How to Bring Kakhetian Wine Home Without Spilling a Drop

After tastings, you’ll definitely want to take a bottle (or five!) with you 😄 Wine in Kakheti can be bought directly at the winery, and it’s often cheaper than in stores. Most places will pack it securely in a box or bubble wrap, and some even offer special wine travel bags.

Keep in mind: on a flight, you can carry up to 3 liters of alcohol per person in checked luggage (not in hand luggage). You can also ship wine by cargo or request international delivery if the winery provides it. The main thing is to keep a piece of Kakheti with you — and share it with someone you love 💛