Private Organic Wine Tour from Kutaisi, 2 Tastings and Lunch

Georgia’s wine story comes alive in small cellars, not polished tasting rooms. This private tour takes you from Kutaisi into western Georgia to meet winemakers Giorgi Mshvenieradze and Aidan Raftery, taste wines made in clay qvevri vessels, and share a local lunch at Oda House.

I like the personal contact with the winemakers, especially the chance to hear Giorgi explain his limited organic production in his own cellar. I also like the generous food-and-wine combination, since lunch at Oda House gives the day more substance than a string of quick tastings.

The main consideration is the price: at $180 per person, this is not a budget outing. The route also requires about seven hours, and the tasting details can change with availability. Confirm the exact third tasting location before booking, since the tour description lists two named winery stops but says tastings take place at three locations.

Key points at a glance

• Meet Giorgi Mshvenieradze in his own cellar: Taste three or four wines, including possible sparkling wine, then sample Georgian chacha.
• See qvevri winemaking in practice: Both featured producers use traditional clay vessels rather than relying only on modern methods.
• Hear Aidan Raftery’s personal story: The British winemaker moved to Georgia and now produces a very small line in Zeindari.
• Eat a full Georgian lunch: Oda House in Martvili serves the meal during the second tasting.
• Enjoy a private day from Kutaisi: Pickup is available anywhere in town, with private transportation for your group.
• Plan around the weather: Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Why qvevri wine makes this Kutaisi day trip different

Georgia has an old winemaking tradition built around the qvevri, a large clay vessel buried in the ground. Wine ferments and matures inside these vessels, giving the winemaking process a strong link to local custom and place.

You will not simply sit at a bar while someone pours a flight of wine. At the first stop, Giorgi Mshvenieradze meets you in his wine cellar and explains how his organic wines and sparkling wine are made. That direct conversation is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour.

Giorgi makes wine from his own vineyards in western Georgia and keeps production very limited. The experience is therefore more personal than a large commercial winery visit. You can taste three or four wines, depending on what is available, and finish with chacha, Georgia’s grape vodka.

The exact wines will vary. That is worth keeping in mind if you want a fixed tasting menu or a particular grape. This tour is better suited to you if you enjoy learning how wine is made and tasting what a small producer has ready that day.

Meeting Giorgi Mshvenieradze at the first cellar

The first stop lasts about one hour. Giorgi’s approach centers on organic production, his own vineyards, and traditional qvevri fermentation. You get the chance to ask questions directly rather than relying on a general explanation from a guide.

Expect three or four wines, subject to availability. The selection may include sparkling wine, and the tasting ends with chacha. This gives you a useful introduction to both Georgian wine and the strong spirit made from grape leftovers and wine production.

I especially like the order of the visit. You begin with a winemaker who works on a small scale, hear the method before tasting, and then compare several bottles from the same producer. That helps you connect the flavor in the glass with the decisions made in the cellar.

Chacha can be potent, so pace yourself. You have a second tasting and lunch ahead, and the day is much more enjoyable when you treat the spirit as a small sample rather than a drink to rush through.

Zeindari and Aidan Raftery’s small-batch wines

The tour then continues to the village of Zeindari, where Aidan Raftery runs Vintners & Vagabonds, also known as Igavi Wines. Aidan came from the United Kingdom, moved to Georgia with his wife, and settled in the Imereti region.

His story gives this stop a different character from Giorgi’s cellar. Here, you hear how an outsider chose Georgia as a home and set out to restore traditional wine practices using qvevris. That personal background adds context without taking the focus away from the wine.

You taste two or three western Georgian wines, depending on availability. Only a few thousand bottles are produced, and much of the wine goes to export markets in the European Union and Australia. For you, that means the tasting offers access to wines made in very small quantities.

Do not expect a long commercial catalog. The limited production is part of the appeal, but it also means the exact bottles and number of pours can change. If you have a strong interest in a certain variety, ask about current availability when you book or at the start of the day.

Lunch at Oda House in Martvili

The meal is served at the organic winery Oda House in Martvili during the second wine tasting. This is not a quick sandwich break between appointments. It is described as a gourmet lunch featuring local cuisine, and the food is one of the strongest parts of the experience.

A proper meal matters on a wine day. It gives you time to sit down, absorb the tasting, and enjoy Georgian cooking alongside the wines. One guest described the lunch as possibly the best meal of their time in Georgia, which is a particularly strong endorsement of this part of the outing.

The exact dishes are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a fixed menu or a particular recipe. You can expect local food served at the organic winery, but the details may depend on the day and the kitchen.

This lunch also makes the $180 price easier to assess. You are paying for private transport, several tastings, a full meal, bottled water, and access to two small producers. For someone who would otherwise need to arrange separate transport and winery appointments, the package has reasonable value. If you only want a few inexpensive pours, it will feel costly.

What the private format changes

Pickup begins at 10:00 a.m. from any location within Kutaisi. Private transport means your group does not need to coordinate with strangers or follow a large coach schedule. That is useful when the day includes rural villages, winery conversations, lunch, and alcohol.

A private format also gives you more room to ask questions. You can spend more time on qvevri production, organic farming, the winemakers’ personal choices, or the wines in your glass instead of waiting for a large group to finish.

The trade-off is that private tours cost more per person. The $180 rate makes the most sense for couples, families, or small groups who value flexibility and direct access. The tour may be less attractive if you are a solo wine drinker watching every dollar, although the price includes more than the tastings alone.

The tour lasts approximately seven hours. That is long enough for a satisfying day outside Kutaisi, but it also means you should keep the rest of your schedule light. Pickup, rural driving, two winery visits, and lunch will fill most of the day.

How to judge the $180 price

At first glance, $180 per person may seem steep for a wine tour. Look more closely at what is included:

• Private transportation from Kutaisi
• Wine tastings at the included locations
• A gourmet lunch at Oda House
• Bottled water
• A private group experience
• A full day of approximately seven hours

The value depends heavily on how much you care about the setting and the people behind the wine. This is not simply a transfer to a tasting room. You are meeting small-scale producers, hearing their methods, and tasting wines from limited production.

I would consider it a fair splurge for someone who has already seen Kutaisi’s main sights and wants a more local day. It is also useful if you do not want to rent a car after drinking or try to arrange rural taxis between separate wineries.

The price is harder to justify if you do not drink wine, want a short activity, or prefer a large group where the cost is divided across more people. In that case, a less expensive city-based food or sightseeing activity may suit you better.

Practical details before you book

Pickup is offered from any location within Kutaisi, with a scheduled start at 10:00 a.m. You receive a bottle of water, but the supplied details do not specify other drinks, dietary arrangements, or the exact dishes at lunch. If those points matter to you, ask before confirming.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That makes the weather rule less risky, but you still need to leave flexibility in your itinerary.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Most people can take part, and this is a private activity for your group only. The supplied information does not give detailed mobility notes, so ask Traffic Travel LLC if you have specific transport or access needs.

One detail deserves clarification before you pay: the inclusions refer to tastings at three different locations, while the itinerary names Mshvenieradze winery and Zeindari, with Oda House in Martvili connected to the second stop. Ask the operator what the third tasting includes and where it takes place.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this outing to you if you care about wine production, small family-style businesses, and local food. It is especially appealing if you prefer meeting producers rather than visiting a large facility designed mainly for tourism.

The tour also suits couples and small private groups who want an easy day from Kutaisi. You avoid driving after tastings, and the pickup service removes the need to plan a complicated route through western Georgia.

It may not be right for you if wine is only a minor interest. The day is built around explanations, tastings, and a long meal. You should also think twice if you need a guaranteed list of wines, exact lunch dishes, or a tightly timed schedule.

The chacha tasting adds a Georgian touch, but it also means this is not a gentle, alcohol-free sampling. Eat well, take your time, and use the lunch as a proper pause.

Should you book this private wine day?

Book it if you want a personal look at Georgian winemaking and like the idea of meeting Giorgi Mshvenieradze and Aidan Raftery in the places where they work. The combination of qvevri wine, limited production, chacha, private transport, and a substantial lunch gives the day real character.

I would confirm the third tasting location, current wine availability, and lunch details before booking. Once those points are clear, the tour makes sense as a special day from Kutaisi, particularly for wine lovers who are willing to pay for privacy and access to small producers.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is available from any location within the town of Kutaisi. The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Which winemakers will I meet?

You will visit Giorgi Mshvenieradze and Aidan Raftery. Giorgi hosts the first cellar visit, while Aidan runs Vintners & Vagabonds, also called Igavi Wines, in Zeindari.

How many wines will I taste?

At Mshvenieradze winery, you can taste three or four wines, depending on availability. At Zeindari, you can taste two or three wines, also depending on availability.

Is chacha included?

Yes. The first tasting ends with a sample of Georgian grape vodka called chacha.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A gourmet lunch at the organic winery Oda House in Martvili is included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.