Private Organic Wine Tour from Kutaisi, 2 Tastings and Lunch

A private organic wine day from Kutaisi is interesting because you trade the usual tasting room scripts for real people, real vineyards, and real fermentation techniques. I like that you get hands-on context for qvevri wine, and you also get a proper gourmet lunch built into the experience, not just a quick bite on the side.

The first stop is at Mshvenieradze winery, where Mr. Giorgi Mshvenieradze talks through how his 100% organic wines are made in Qvevri (clay vessels). You will taste several wines from his very limited production, and the day also includes a Georgian grape vodka called chacha at the end of that tasting.

One thing to consider: because the winemakers make small runs and tastings depend on availability, the exact wine lineup (3 or 4 at the first stop, and 2 or 3 at the second) can shift from day to day. That is not a problem, it just means you should go with a flexible mindset and enjoy what is poured.

Key things to know before you go

• Meet organic winemaker Mr. Giorgi Mshvenieradze in his wine cellar and hear the Qvevri process firsthand
• Taste limited-production wines (3 to 4 at the first stop, 2 to 3 at the second) plus chacha
• Igavi Wines in Zeindari (Vintners & Vagabonds) with winemaker Aidan Raftery and a story-driven visit
• A gourmet lunch at Oda House in Martvili, included as part of the day
• Pickup within Kutaisi town and private transportation so you are not juggling buses

Why organic Georgian wine feels different in this part of the country

Georgia’s wine culture is older than most modern winemaking that you see elsewhere, and the big reason is the method. Here, the focus is Qvevri fermentation, where the wine sits in clay vessels. That single detail changes the taste conversation fast, because you are not just sampling a label, you are learning how the winemaking environment shapes flavor.

This tour keeps the explanation practical. Instead of vague claims, you hear how the winemaker creates his organic product from his own vineyards in western Georgia. You also hear what “natural” and “organic” mean in this context, where small production and careful choices matter more than mass-market consistency.

And because both stops revolve around limited output, you get a better sense of why Georgian wines can be expressive and sometimes unpredictable. That is not marketing talk. It is what happens when you bottle only what the vineyard and cellar allow.

Private day format: pickup, timing, and how the day actually flows

The tour runs about 7 hours and starts at 10:00 am. You can expect a more relaxed pace than a group wine trip because it is private, meaning only your group participates, and private transportation keeps the schedule from feeling like a checklist.

Pickup is offered from any location within the town of Kutaisi. That matters because one of the hidden time costs of wine tours is getting to the right place at the right time. Here, you can stay in Kutaisi mode, then settle into the day once you are picked up.

You will also have a mobile ticket, so you are not worrying about printed vouchers. The tour includes bottled water (one bottle per person), which is a small detail, but it helps when you are tasting alcoholic drinks and driving later in the day.

Plan around the fact that you need good weather. The experience notes that it depends on weather conditions, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will get an alternative date or a full refund.

Stop 1: Mshvenieradze winery and Mr. Giorgi Mshvenieradze’s Qvevri cellar talk

Your first tasting is at Mshvenieradze winery, guided by Mr. Giorgi Mshvenieradze. This is not a generic tasting room stop. The visit is designed around meeting him personally, then listening to his explanation of how his wines and sparkling are made.

What makes this stop valuable is that you get the winemaker’s philosophy, not just the product description. The approach is built on making 100% organic products from his own vineyards in western Georgia. Then the winemaking technique is the traditional Qvevri fermentation in clay vessels, which is the backbone of many Georgian styles.

During this visit, you will taste 3 or 4 different wines depending on availability. You will also get insight into how limited production shapes the tasting, because you are not sampling from a huge catalog of always-on options. If your travel style leans toward craft and process, this stop will feel like the real start of the day.

At the end of the tasting, you also sample Georgian grape vodka called chacha. That detail can catch people by surprise if they expect only wine, but it is actually a smart way to broaden your understanding of how grape-based spirits fit into Georgian drinking culture.

Possible drawback here: because production is limited, your tasting selection may be different than you might see in someone else’s photos. Treat it as a chance to learn, not a guarantee of a specific bottle.

Stop 2: Zeindari and Igavi Wines with Aidan Raftery

After the first winery visit, you drive toward the village of Zeindari for the second tasting and lunch portion of the day.

This stop is run by Vintners & Vagabonds (Igavi Wines), and the winemaker is Aidan Raftery, who moved to Georgia from the UK with his wife. The story is part of the experience, because you are not just learning about fermentation. You are learning why he chose the Imereti region and how he is working to restore ancient winemaking traditions using Qvevris (clay jars).

In practical terms, this stop focuses on a small, tightly controlled production line. The tour information notes that bottlings are limited to only a couple of thousand bottles, and most wines go to export markets including the EU and Australia. That is why tastings can be more personal and more about the winemaker’s choices than about brand recognition.

You will savor 2 or 3 western Georgian grape varieties, again depending on availability. The flavor range here can feel broader than you expect, partly because Georgian winemaking often emphasizes grape character and process. If you like comparing different varieties and styles, this is where you can start to connect the dots from the first stop.

Also, lunch is included as part of this phase of the day. The tour ties lunch to the overall winery experience, with a gourmet meal served at an organic setting.

Lunch at Oda House in Martvili: when food becomes part of the wine story

The tour includes a gourmet lunch at Oda House in Martvili, and this is one of the most praised parts of the day. People rate it as the best meal they had in Georgia, which is a strong hint that this is not a rushed sandwich situation.

Food can make or break a wine tour, because it affects how you taste. Lunch at an organic winery setting matters because it typically means you are eating in the same spirit as the wine, with an emphasis on local ingredients and thoughtful preparation.

You can expect local cuisine served as a gourmet lunch. The tour also mentions you experience amazing dishes, which aligns with the idea that this stop is meant to be a highlight, not filler time between tastings.

One practical tip: go in hungry. If you start grazing too early in Kutaisi, you may end up tasting the wines more than you enjoy the lunch. The day is structured so the meal is a real pause, and it helps your palate reset before the rest of the driving and any final pours.

What you will actually taste: wines plus chacha, across multiple stops

The day is built around wine tastings at 3 different locations, with two main winery visits named in the itinerary. That means you are not just doing two short tastings and calling it done. You will get multiple rounds of tasting context and variety.

At Mshvenieradze winery, you taste 3 or 4 wines. You also end that tasting with chacha, a Georgian grape vodka. That chacha moment is useful because it gives you a contrast point, you can compare how grape-based alcohol feels when it is fermented into wine versus distilled into a vodka-style spirit.

At Igavi Wines in Zeindari, you taste 2 or 3 western Georgian wine varieties, depending on availability. Then you pair that with your included gourmet lunch.

Because the number of wines can vary, I recommend you focus on learning the process and not tracking a specific wine checklist. If you care about organic and natural winemaking, you will likely enjoy the variety that shows up that day.

Drink responsibly. You are tasting multiple alcoholic drinks and spending part of the day in a private car. Plan to take your time, and keep water nearby. The tour includes bottled water per person, which helps.

Price and value: what $180 per person is buying you

At $180 per person, this is not the cheapest option. But it is also not overpriced for what you get, especially if you compare it to the hidden costs of time, logistics, and admission style experiences.

Here is what you are paying for, in plain terms:

• Private transportation and pickup within Kutaisi town, so you do not waste time figuring out how to get between stops
• Organic winemaker access at two different locations, including in-depth explanations and cellar-style conversation
• Multiple wine tastings, plus chacha, and included bottled water
• A gourmet lunch at Oda House in Martvili

The biggest value driver is the private format. Small wineries are not always set up for large groups, and a private day usually means less waiting and more direct time with the people making the wine. For a craft experience, that access is worth real money.

The second value driver is the lunch. When a meal earns the label best meal in Georgia, that shifts your cost calculation because food is a major budget line when you travel.

Who this private organic wine tour is perfect for

Book this if you like your tours with a purpose. This tour suits you if you want to understand organic winemaking, taste limited-production wines, and hear the Qvevri method explained by the people doing it.

It is a good fit for:

• Couples or small groups who want a private day without crowds
• Travelers who care about winemaking technique, not just drinking
• Anyone who enjoys Georgian food and wants lunch included at a winery setting
• People who are curious about chacha as part of the Georgian wine world

If you are chasing a party atmosphere or a quick photo stop, this probably will not match your vibe. This is a conversation and craft day, with tasting as the reward.

Should you book this private organic wine tour from Kutaisi?

Yes, if your idea of a great day includes meeting winemakers and eating well. This one is built around two organic-focused producers, with Mr. Giorgi Mshvenieradze and Aidan Raftery at the center of the story. You get meaningful tastings, plus the extra Georgian note of chacha, and you finish with a lunch that earns serious praise.

I would hesitate only if you are the type who needs a guaranteed, fixed menu of exact wines. Because the tour depends on what is available and production is limited, your tasting lineup can vary.

If you want a day that feels personal, tastes local, and helps you understand why Qvevri wine has such a strong following, this is a very solid choice from Kutaisi.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 10:00 am.

How long does the private organic wine tour take?

It lasts about 7 hours.

Is pickup available in Kutaisi?

Yes. Pickup is offered from any location within the town of Kutaisi.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It is private, and only your group participates.

How many wine tastings are included?

Wine tastings are included at 3 different locations during the day.

How many wines will I taste at each winery?

At Mshvenieradze winery, you will taste 3 or 4 wines depending on availability. At Igavi Wines in Zeindari, you will taste 2 or 3 wines depending on availability.

Is chacha included?

Yes. You sample Georgian grape vodka called chacha as part of the first stop’s tasting.

Where is lunch served?

Lunch is a gourmet meal served at an organic winery called Oda House in Martvili.

Do you provide bottled water?

Yes. Bottled water is provided, one bottle per person.

What if I need to cancel or the weather is bad?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.