This 1 Day Tour from Tbilisi (roundtrip) takes in 2 to 3 of the most important historic sites of Georgia that are within a short drive of the north of Tbilisi. However, the main focus is on wine and food where you have the option to visit 2 to 3 wineries during the day, and then a wine bar or restaurant for dinner upon return to Tbilisi.
NOTE: Seasonal variations & daylight hours can affect timings and availability of certain activities
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All wineries should be booked at least 1 day in advance. Family wineries rarely take walk in’s. We can organize all of this for you, as well as a safe driver – so you can drink as much as you want. Just contact us at [email protected]
NOTE: Most wineries offer large servings for each tasting (75ml – 150ml per wine) and you often get bonus shots of chacha (Georgian grappa) and wine. This is why they charge for a tasting. This is typical across Georgia, though not 100% of the time. Most vineyards open from 11am to 6pm/7pm.
$1 USD = 3 Lari (Approx)
Find The Full Itinerary Below.
Options For Taking This Tour:
[NOTE: online bookable options Coming March 2020 – until then, email [email protected] for more info]
Email us with the following info:
- Number of guests (Adults / Children)
- Dates & number of days
- Standard Tour – as below. OR custom tour, we’ll create one for you.
- Pickup city or location / Drop off city or location
- Wine Preference: Some OR plenty OR loads!
- Other info about you
Private groups up to 12 guests are possible on request. Typical group size is 2 to 8 guests.
1 Day North West Of Tbilisi (Shida Kartli) Itinerary
1. Meet 9.45am. Depart 10am
Meet Driver At Revolution Square (Iveria Cafe) / Or Arrange Pickup From Your Hotel.
2. Arrive 10:30am Stop At Jvari Monastery (UNESCO)
With Great views of the confluence of 2 rivers, over the city of Mtskheta – which used to be the capital of Georgia before Tbilisi.
For Winter trips, this stop at the start of the journey. For Summer trips, arrive here at sunset (between step 6 & 7 below)
Depart 11am. Free Entry.
3. Arrive 11:45am at Merebashvili’s Marani (Family Winery).
Mini cooking class (Traditional Khinkali & Khachapuri), Wine tasting and Lunch.
Price: Wine tasting (3 Wines, 2 Chacha – Georgian Grappa) with cheese and snacks – 20 Lari per person. Cooking Class, 25 to 50 Lari Per Group, Per food Item. But price depends on Group Size. Additional Dishes, order off the menu in advance (1 day before). Merebashvili Menu
Depart 1.45pm. Reservation Required.
4. Arrive 2.30pm. Uplistsikhe – Historic Cave Dwellings
Built between the 6th century BC and 13th century AD. Lived in until Recently.
7 Lari Entrance Fee (Adult). 10 Lari Audio Tour, or 25 Lari to hire a guide (30 min tour). Or if you have your own guide/driver, they can show you around. OR try beer made in the qvevri (traditional clay fermentation vessel, normally used for wine making) at the cafe below the ancient site.
Depart 3.15pm.
5. Arrive 3.30pm Gogi Dvalishvili Wine Cellar
Very Small Home Wine Cellar.
This is the real home experience, with well crafted home made wine.
20 Lari: 5 Wines, 2 spirits. No Food – maybe some bread and pickles or similar.
Depart 4.30pm. Reservation Required.
6. Winilia Vineyard – Arrive 5.30pm. (OPTIONAL)
New tasting room. But, they make Good Saperavi, which is traditionally from Kakheti so harder to find made in this region.
30 lari Per Person: 4 Wines, chacha Bread, Cheese, water. Reservation Required.
Depart 6.30pm.
Alternative Option: If you’ve had enough to drink, instead, visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Mtskheta. (5.45pm to 6.30pm – spring/summer/fall)
7. Arrive Back To Tbilisi 7.15pm For The Evening
Evening Options. Tour Guide Drops you at one of the following places, and you can take a taxi home after (Use an app like Bolt for very affordable taxi home – $1.50 to $4 USD depending on which place you get dropped). Or, end the tour now and get the driver to drop you at your hotel.
Extensive Wine Selection & Some Food: Wine Factory #1
If Looking For Food & Entertainment (Georgian Singing/Dancing): Tsiskvili on Beliashvili OR Georgian House (Reservation Required at both)
If Looking For Great Traditional Food: Sormoni or Amra
If Looking Just For More Wine Tasting: Reserve Wine
For Contemporary Georgian Cuisine: Culinarium Khasheria or Barbarestan (Advanced reservations essential)
Ask your guide for Food/Wine recommendations at these venues – or they may join you for dinner.
Email us with the following info:
- Number of guests (Adults / Children)
- Dates & number of days
- Standard Tour – as below. OR custom tour, we’ll create one for you.
- Pickup city or location / Drop off city or location
- Wine Preference: Some OR plenty OR loads!
- Other info about you