Kakheti Wineries: 10 Must-Visit Family Run Wineries in Telavi & North Alazani

In the heart of Georgia’s famed Kakheti wine region lies a treasure trove of viticulture and cultural heritage – Telavi & the North Alazani Valley. This area, known for its picturesque landscapes and ancient winemaking traditions, offers a journey through time and taste. It’s a destination that is a popular choice for casual tourists and wine enthusiasts alike to explore its unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant wine culture. In this post, we’ll be telling you a bit about this beautiful region of Georgia’s wine country and also don’t miss our TOP Family Run Kakhetian wineries to visit for an authentic Kakhetian wine experience.

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Planning a Trip To Visit Telavi?

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Telavi, the capital of the Kakheti region, is not just a city in Georgia known for its wine, but has historically been an important part of local history, with one of the earliest surviving accounts of Telavi as far back as the 2nd century AD. This historic town, surrounded by vineyards and the simply stunning views of the Caucasus Mountains, offers a glimpse into centuries-old traditions, where today’s modern life intertwines seamlessly with ancient Georgian customs. 

Just beyond Telavi lies the North Alazani Valley, a lush and fertile land that has been nurturing grapevines for thousands of years. The valley, with its unique terroir shaped by the Alazani River and the protective Caucasus range, is renowned for producing some of Georgia’s most celebrated wines. The climate here, characterized by long, warm summers and gentle winters, creates ideal conditions for a variety of grape species to thrive, each contributing to the complex flavour profiles of Kakhetian wines.

Here, traditional Kakhetian winemaking methods have been passed down through generations and are still in practice today. This of course involves fermenting wine in qvevri, large clay vessels buried underground, allowing the wine to develop rich, earthy tones and a distinct character that is a hallmark of the region. Today, you will also see winemakers incorporating more modern wine making techniques side by side with the ancient ones, creating a unique tasting experience for anyone that enjoys a nice glass of vino.

Visiting the vineyards and wineries in the Telavi & North Alazani Valley is something that should absolutely be on your Georgia wine country itinerary. Each winery, from family-owned estates to larger, modern vineyards, tells its own story of winemaking. Visitors can explore the vineyards, witness the winemaking process, and indulge in tastings that showcase the diversity and richness of Kakhetian wines. These experiences are not just about tasting wine; they’re about connecting with the land and the people who have nurtured it. Families take their winemaking traditions very seriously, as it is a precious gift that has been handed down though generations, but they also love sharing and teaching these traditions with people who visit their wineries.

Kakheti’s Finest Family Vines

We have spent a LOT of time visiting wineries and winemakers in this region, and we have put together a list of some of our all time favourite family run wineries. While we love visiting these Kakheti wineries, it’s best to know that cellar door visits work differently in Georgia and you can’t always just turn up, unannounced, and expect to get a tasting. Soooo with that in mind…

Here are the essential points to consider when visiting family wineries in Georgia:

• Advance booking is advisable, as walk-ins are often not possible. Hosts may not be available 24/7 (many have full-time jobs aside from winemaking), or they may be occupied with other groups.
• Solo and 2-person bookings may have limited options, as some places may not find it economical to serve wine and food to such small groups.
• Language barriers may exist, and not all hosts may speak English.
• Budget tours typically visit factories or budget family wineries – as this keeps the prices down. If you want higher-quality artisan wine visits, you need a premium tour.
• If you’re in a very small group, consider joining a scheduled small-group premium tour like those offered by Eat This! Tours. 

Ok, ok we’ve kept you waiting long enough – here it is our TOP 10 Non-Corporate Family Wineries in Telavi and North Alazani

Telavi & North Alazani’s Top 10 Family Run Kakheti Wineries: 

1. Jakeli Wines – famous for their natural bio wines 
2. Family Winery Rostomaant Marani – Lovely family winery located in the heart of Telavi. Also produces wine jams (yummy)
3. Lagazi Wine Cellar – Focus on raw natural wines, food options featuring Tushetian cuisine. 
4. Chubini Wine Cellar – Young winemakers making their mark with their great wines. 
5. Ibero – Expertly produced natural wines and chacha (including aged chacha) made by 3 generations of Natroshvili family. Stunning views across the vines to the Caucasus Mountains.
6. Vita Vinea – Dakishvili Wine Cellar. One of the most famous family winemakers in Telavi, who produces his own artisan range, as well as working with larger wine companies
7. Ghvardzelashvili’s Marani – Natural Bio Wines made specifically from grapes from the microzone “Kondoli” –  always have a great time when we visit!
8. Togonidze Wine – Always a favourite to visit! This winemaker is also an artist, so stepping into his home is like visiting an art gallery. His wife also makes delicious food – I especially love her desserts!  
9. Milorava’s Guest House & Wine Cellar – along with classic Georgian grape varieties they also offer Syrah, Montepulciano and Tempranillo.
10. Lagvani Winery(Akhmeta)

BONUS – Begaso Family Winery – offering a delightful tasting menu and exquisite artisan wines in a serene rural setting near Gremi Cathedral, complete with cosy accommodations and a warm, English-speaking host.

All of these wineries have been chosen in no particular order, but they represent the best (in our opinion) of the family owned and run wineries of the Telavi and North Alazani Valley that specialize in Kakhetian traditional winemaking. There are of course many larger corporations that are making great wine in this region – Tsinandali Estate, Mosmieri Wine Centre to name a few (we’ll be releasing an article on which larger wineries to visit too), but tbh we believe the real Kakheti wineries experience is in meeting the winemakers and their families and discovering the heart of Georgian hospitality.

We hope you take the time to visit this region during your trip to Georgia. We like to say that the Telavi & North Alazani Valley region in Kakheti is a place where every glass of wine tells a story of tradition, passion, and the unyielding spirit of Georgia. If you are looking to immerse yourself in Georgian wine culture, there’s no better place to start than this famous wine region.

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Full Guided Tour With English Speaking Driver-Guide

Our partner company Eat This! Food & Wine Tours offer private, small group tours to artisan Kakheti wineries, including meet the winemaker experiences, cooking classes in local villages, and much more. They handle everything for you, to ensure you have an amazing wine adventure. They do the logistics, and the driving, so you can focus on the wine, food, and scenery and have a great trip without the stress.

All tours are led by an expert, English-speaking guide who will host you every step of the way as you discover real grass roots Georgian culture, food, and wine, dripping with authenticity. –> See Telavi Wine Tour Options (Get 5% OFF with our code FFT5)

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