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 Early 2020 – until then, email [email protected] for more info]
Self Drive
Driving conditions and google maps are both unreliable at this time in Georgia. Plus, once you do 1 Georgian wine tasting, you shouldn’t be driving… So we don’t recommend renting a car to do this trip. If you must self drive, Kayak has options for rental. If you want to go to areas away from main routes, consider getting a better vehicle, not the fiesta/micra size cars. If renting for a short period, From $35 per day minimum normally. For longer periods, $25 per day is possible on very small cars.
Hired Driver – Self Guided
Hiring a driver is surprisingly affordable in Georgia. With prices starting from $100 USD per day, including fuel, for a vehicle with 4 to 7 passenger seats (+ Driver). A driver can save you all the hassle of having to drive yourself, so you whole group can enjoy those big wine tastings.
We can provide you with an affordable local driver, and we can send them the itinerary of your choice so they can take you to the right places.
However – with the cheaper self-guided trip, You will be responsible for contacting the wineries yourself to make reservations for tastings, and book accommodation as needed. Most, not all, wineries will have an English speaking member of staff on site most days if booked. So it’s up to you to organise this.
All our drivers have been vetted for:
- Safe driving style
- Working seatbelts (yes, this is something you actually have to ask about if you hire a driver independently)
- Doesn’t drink and drive (also something you have to check, really!)
- Sufficient English Speaking Standard
Just want to hire an affordable driver and guide yourself? – Click Here.
Driver-Guide
Rather than just hire a driver to get you from A to B. Our Driver-guides are familiar with the history, food, wine and culture of Georgia. They’ll be able to tell you about all the destinations you visit, as well as about the food and wine and answer your questions about life in Georgia.
As well as driving you to the places on the itinerary, they’ll be able to:
- Adjust the itinerary somewhat, based on your preferences
- They book the winery visits & accommodation, so you don’t have to.
- They speak Georgian & Good English, so they can translate as needed.
Want a Driver who is also a skilled guide and can book your itinerary for you? – Click Here
Our Full Personal Tour Service (Driver + Guide)
Meet Tommo & Megsy (The owners of this Food Travel Blog, who have eaten their way through 95+ countries and are now based in Tbilisi, Georgia)
As international cultural food experts who have been studying the history of Georgian wine, wine making and food since first arriving in 2016, we are your English fluent, local companions, available to take you on a unique wine & culture experience.
We designed our itineraries with a specific goal – meeting the expectations of foreign tourists, while also accurately representing Georgian culture.
Why hire us for your trip?
- First language English speakers who’ve performed at events around the world talking and podcasting about food and wine.
- International perspective on Georgia. Objective research on food and wine.
- Full Guided tour from start to finish – Including one of us guiding, plus a separate driver, meaning we can join you as guide for wine tastings and be your social companion for the trip introducing you to the toasts and food and wine culture.
Hire Us To Be Your Private Group Guide, or join a small group tour (up to 7 guests) – Click Here
Private groups up to 11 or 12 guests are possible on request.
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
Wine Factory #1 Tbilisi
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.