Organic wine tour in Kakheti

Georgia isn’t just another wine region – it’s the birthplace of wine itself. For 8,000 years, Georgians have been fermenting grapes in qvevri (giant clay vessels buried underground), a method so unique that UNESCO declared it part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage. This isn’t a mass-market bus tour. We’ve personally selected three exceptional organic wineries in Kakheti where passionate winemakers will pour you wines you simply cannot find anywhere else. Taste directly from qvevri, break bread baked in traditional clay ovens, and lunch overlooking the Caucasus Mountains.

Perfect for: Wine enthusiasts, foodies, natural wine lovers, couples, and anyone curious about the world’s oldest winemaking tradition.

Itinerary

Departure: 9:30 AM from Tbilisi (hotel pickup)
Return: Approximately 8:30 PM

9:30 AM – Hotel Pickup in Tbilisi

Your guide collects you from any Tbilisi hotel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. The drive to Kakheti takes about 90 minutes through increasingly beautiful countryside as we enter Georgia’s premier wine region.

11:00 AM – Georgian Bread Bakery Stop

Before diving into wine, we need a proper Georgian breakfast. We stop at a family bakery where you’ll watch shotis puri being slapped onto the walls of a traditional clay tone oven. Fresh from the heat, torn by hand, paired with local Guda cheese—this is how Georgians start their day.

Duration: 30 minutes

11:45 AM – Vellino Winery (First Organic Estate)

Beqa Jimsheladze represents Georgia’s new generation of winemakers – young, ambitious, but deeply respectful of tradition. His 5-hectare organic vineyard produces some of the most exciting amber wines in Kakheti.

You may taste: Rkatsiteli amber wine (6 months in qvevri), Saperavi red wine (traditional Georgian grape), and special reserve wines depending on season.

Beqa will walk you through his cellar, explaining how qvevri fermentation differs from stainless steel or oak barrels. You’ll taste directly from the buried qvevri if timing allows.

Duration: 90 minutes

1:30 PM – Okro’s Wines in Sighnaghi (Second Organic Estate)

We drive 30 minutes to Sighnaghi, the “City of Love,” a beautifully restored hilltop town with defensive walls overlooking the Alazani Valley. Jenny’s winery sits just outside town with views that honestly belong on postcards.

Jenny took over her family’s vineyard in 2008 and converted everything to organic practices. Her wines have won international recognition, but she remains wonderfully down-to-earth. She’ll pour you wines in her tasting room while telling stories about harvest, about challenges of organic viticulture in Georgia’s climate, about why she came back from Tbilisi to make wine.

You may taste: Kisi (rare indigenous white grape), Mtsvane-Rkatsiteli blend, Saperavi reserve, and dessert wine (seasonal).

Duration: 90 minutes

3:30 PM – Traditional Georgian Lunch at Mosmieri Winery

By now, you’re pleasantly buzzed and genuinely hungry. Mosmieri’s terrace restaurant overlooks the entire Alazani Valley with the Caucasus Mountains in the distance. This is where we slow down.

Lunch includes: Mtsvadi (Georgian barbecue skewers), fresh salads with herbs from the garden, khachapuri (cheese bread), seasonal vegetables, unlimited bread, and two glasses of Mosmieri wine.

Note: Mosmieri produces excellent conventional wines (not organic), which gives you a perspective on how organic wines compare. This contrast is intentional and educational.

Duration: 90 minutes

5:30 PM – Qvevri Workshop with Master Zaza

The final stop answers a question everyone asks: how are qvevri made? Zaza is one of Georgia’s remaining qvevri masters, crafting these massive clay vessels using techniques unchanged since antiquity. His workshop near Telavi smells of clay and wine.

He’ll show you qvevri in various stages of construction, explain the year-long process, and pour you his own exceptional amber wine. Watching him work, you understand that Georgian wine isn’t just about taste—it’s about preserving an 8,000-year chain of knowledge passed from generation to generation.

You’ll taste: Zaza’s personal amber wine (usually outstanding)

Duration: 45 minutes

7:00 PM – Return to Tbilisi

We drive back to Tbilisi (90 minutes), arriving around 8:30 PM with drop-off at your hotel.

Practical Information

Departure: 9:30 AM from Tbilisi (hotel pickup)
Duration: Full day (approximately 11 hours)
Distance: 90 minutes each way from Tbilisi
Difficulty: Easy (minimal walking, suitable for all fitness levels)
Year-round: Tours run in all seasons

Best Time to Book

Harvest season (September-October) is magical—you might participate in rtveli (grape harvest) and see winemakers at their busiest. Spring (April-May) shows vineyards in bloom. Summer (June-August) can be hot but beautiful. Winter (November-March) is quiet with fewer tourists and more intimate winery visits.

What to Bring

Comfortable walking shoes (winery cellars can be uneven), light jacket (wine cellars stay cool even in summer), sunscreen and hat in summer, camera (the views are incredible), and an appetite (lunch is substantial).

Dietary Restrictions

We accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets with advance notice. Georgian cuisine is naturally diverse and delicious for all preferences.

Responsible Drinking

You’ll taste 12-15 wines throughout the day. Professional tasters use spit buckets (available at all wineries), and most guests don’t finish every pour. Pace yourself. Drink water. Eat the bread. Our guides monitor everyone and ensure safe, enjoyable experiences.

Cancellation Policy

14+ days before: Full refund minus 5% processing fee. 7-13 days before: 50% refund. Less than 7 days: No refund (unless we cancel due to weather).

Kakheti wine tour FAQ

Why Choose Highlander Travel

Certified Wine Specialists

Our guides aren’t just drivers—they’re trained wine specialists with Georgian Wine Association certification. They understand viticulture, winemaking techniques, and can answer sophisticated questions about terroir, varietals, and Georgian wine history.

Direct Winemaker Relationships

We’ve worked with Beqa, Jenny, and Zaza for years. These aren’t transactional partnerships—they’re genuine friendships that ensure our guests receive exceptional hospitality and access to wines not typically served on tours.

Small Groups Only

Even our “group” tours max out at 10 people. Most days, we run private tours for couples or small friend groups. You’re never cattle-herded through wineries.

Flexible & Personal

Want to spend more time at one winery? Skip Sighnaghi to maximize cellar time? Buy cases of wine to ship home? We accommodate. This is your day, customized to your interests.