What Makes Georgian Wine Different
Three things distinguish Georgian wine from what most visitors know. First, the grape varieties are almost entirely indigenous -- Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane, Kisi, Chinuri, Aleksandrouli -- you will not find Cabernet, Merlot, or Chardonnay at the center of Georgian winemaking. Second, the traditional fermentation method uses qvevri: large egg-shaped clay vessels buried in the ground. Wine ferments in contact with grape skins, seeds, and sometimes stems for months, producing wines with more tannin, color, and complexity than conventional methods. Third, white grapes fermented on their skins in qvevri produce what the international market calls 'amber wine' or 'orange wine' -- a category that barely existed outside Georgia until the 2010s. Not all Georgian wine is qvevri wine: large producers make perfectly good conventional wine. But qvevri wine is what makes Georgia unique.
- If you try only one Georgian wine, make it an amber Rkatsiteli made in qvevri -- this is the signature style
- Georgian qvevri winemaking was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013
Key Grape Varieties to Know
Saperavi is the king of Georgian reds. It is a teinturier grape, meaning the flesh itself is red (most red grapes have clear flesh and red skin). This produces deeply colored, tannic wines that range from fruity young table wine to serious age-worthy bottles. Saperavi is grown across Georgia but the most respected examples come from Kakheti -- Mukuzani (dry, aged Saperavi) and Kindzmarauli (naturally semi-sweet) are the flagship appellations. Rkatsiteli is the most planted white grape and the most versatile. Made conventionally, it produces crisp, mineral whites. Made in qvevri with extended skin contact, it becomes an amber wine with tannin, dried fruit aromas, and serious structure. Mtsvane (meaning 'green' in Georgian) is aromatic and floral, often blended with Rkatsiteli. Kisi makes rich, honeyed amber wines in Kakheti. Chinuri from the Kartli region is lighter and more mineral. Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli are the grapes behind Khvanchkara, a rare naturally semi-sweet red from Racha-Lechkhumi that was reportedly Stalin's favorite wine.
- Start with Saperavi if you like bold reds -- it is the most accessible Georgian wine for international palates
- Ask about Kisi and Mtsvane at wine shops -- these amber wines are often more approachable than Rkatsiteli for first-timers
- Georgia has over 500 indigenous grape varieties -- small producers are actively reviving rare ones
Wine Regions of Georgia
Kakheti in eastern Georgia produces approximately 70% of the country's wine. The Alazani Valley here is Georgia's Napa or Bordeaux equivalent. Key appellations include Tsinandali (elegant dry whites), Mukuzani (aged dry Saperavi), Kindzmarauli (semi-sweet Saperavi), Napareuli, and Akhasheni. Kakheti wines tend toward richness and depth. Kartli, the region around Tbilisi, produces lighter, more mineral wines. Chinuri and Goruli Mtsvane are the signature grapes. Sparkling wine from Kartli (especially Chinuri pet-nat) is gaining attention. Imereti in western Georgia has a distinct winemaking style -- shorter skin contact, lighter qvevri techniques, and different grape varieties including Tsolikouri and Tsitska. Racha-Lechkhumi is a tiny, mountainous region that produces naturally semi-sweet wines, including the famous Khvanchkara. Production is very small and genuine Khvanchkara is expensive and hard to find outside Georgia.
- A day trip to Kakheti from Tbilisi (1.5-2 hours drive) is the best way to visit wineries and taste at the source
- Sighnaghi is the most picturesque base for Kakheti wine tourism -- small, walkable, with several tasting rooms
- Telavi is the working capital of Kakheti, with more wineries nearby but less tourist atmosphere
Tasting Culture and Etiquette
Wine tasting in Georgia is more casual than in Napa or Bordeaux. At most wineries, there is no fee for tasting (though purchasing a bottle afterward is expected). The host will typically pour generously. In a home or traditional setting, wine is served as part of a supra (feast), where a tamada (toastmaster) leads structured toasts -- you drink when the toast is made, not sipping casually between. In wine shops, tasting before buying is standard practice for bottles above a certain price point. Georgian wine is almost always served at room temperature, even whites and ambers -- this is deliberate, as the complex flavors of qvevri wines open up with warmth. Do not expect ice buckets. When Georgian winemakers say 'natural wine,' they typically mean wine made without additives, fining, or filtration -- many also avoid added sulfites entirely.
- Saying 'gaumarjos' (cheers) is expected when someone proposes a toast
- At a supra, the tamada controls the pace of drinking -- follow their lead
- Natural wines without sulfites may taste different after shipping or long storage -- buy fresh and drink relatively soon
Where to Buy Wine in Georgia
Tbilisi has the widest selection of wine shops in the country, with dedicated shops in Vake, Vera, and the Old Town offering curated selections from small producers that you cannot find in supermarkets or outside Georgia. Supermarkets carry mainstream brands at lower prices -- Teliani Valley, Tbilvino, Schuchmann -- which are decent everyday wines. In Kakheti, buying directly from wineries is common and often the only way to access micro-production wines. Wine prices in Georgia are extremely reasonable by international standards: excellent bottles from respected producers rarely exceed 60-80 GEL ($23-31 USD), and everyday wines start at 8-15 GEL ($3-6 USD). For taking wine home, most wine shops offer packaging services. You can export up to 10 liters without duty.
- Dedicated wine shops in Vera and Vake have the best curation -- supermarkets have volume but less range in small producers
- If you find a wine you love at a Kakheti winery, buy it there -- many micro-producers do not distribute to Tbilisi shops
- Ask shop staff for recommendations by style rather than price -- they are generally knowledgeable and candid
Businesses Mentioned in This Guide
8000 Vintages
8000 ვინტაჟი
Wine Shop & Bar
8000 Vintages is Tbilisi's largest and most respected wine shop, named after Georgia's 8,000-year winemaking heritage. The shop stocks over 1,000 Georgian wine labels, all selected through blind tastings by certified sommeliers. Founded in 2016, it has grown from a single Saburtalo location to multiple branches across the city plus an outpost in Batumi and Berlin. The industrial-chic spaces serve as both retail stores and tasting bars where visitors can explore Georgian wine culture with expert guidance.
Chateau Mukhrani
შატო მუხრანი
Historic Estate Winery
Chateau Mukhrani is a historic winery located on the former estate of Prince Ivane Mukhranbatoni, approximately 60 km from Tbilisi. The estate was built in the 1870s following French chateau architectural principles and has been fully restored. The winery produces wines using both traditional Georgian qvevri methods and European techniques, with vineyards planted to Saperavi, Goruli Mtsvane, Chinuri, and other Georgian varieties. Tours and tastings are available daily.
Pheasant's Tears Wine Shop
ფაზანის ცრემლები
Wine Shop
Pheasant's Tears is an internationally celebrated Georgian natural wine producer founded by American artist John Wurdeman. Their Tbilisi shop stocks the full range of amber and red qvevri wines made at their Signagi estate using ancient Georgian traditions.
Vino Underground
ვინო ანდერგრაუნდი
Natural Wine Bar & Shop
Vino Underground is a natural wine bar and shop in central Tbilisi, owned by a collective of Georgian artisan winemakers.
Winery Khareba
ღვინის მარანი ხარება
Major Wine Producer
Winery Khareba is one of Georgia's major wine producers, headquartered in the Kakheti region near Telavi. The winery is known for its 7.7 km underground wine tunnel carved into the Caucasus rock, which maintains a natural temperature of 12-14 degrees Celsius for wine storage. The facility offers guided tours through the tunnel, tastings of both qvevri and European-method wines, a traditional Georgian restaurant, and vineyard walks. Khareba produces wines from major Georgian varieties including Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, Kisi, and Khikhvi.
Written and maintained by the Georgia Business Registry editorial team, informed by visits to wineries, wine shops, and tastings across Kakheti, Kartli, and Tbilisi. Last reviewed March 2026.
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