Taste authentic Georgian wine in Kakheti
The city of Sighnaghi is also rich in pleasant places where you can taste excellent local wine. Perhaps the most famous of them is the Pheasant's Tears winery restaurant, which was opened by American artist John Wurdeman, who once came to Georgia and decided to stay here forever. At Pheasant's Tears, you will taste wines from qvevri, as well as many other types of wines. The owner of the winery adheres to the concept of creating exclusively natural drinks, therefore the entire production process, starting from the stage of growing grapes, completely excludes the use of chemicals. Everything is extremely natural and environmentally friendly. Rkatsiteli, Saperavi, and Kisi are the main types of wine produced at the Wurdeman winery. In addition, the restaurant's assortment includes a huge number of many other wines brought from all over Georgia. There is a wine cellar here that stores hundreds of bottles. You can taste before buying wine. The restaurant will also leave a pleasant impression, because in addition to the fact that the menu includes many dishes of Georgian cuisine, the chef himself buys fresh products at the local market every day. Thus, the concept of completely organic production has spread to the kitchen of the establishment. The interior of the restaurant is decorated with paintings by the founder of Pheasant's Tears and works by local artists. Cozy and soulful space, which is definitely worth a visit when you arrive in Sighnaghi.
Shaloshvili Wine Cellar
Shaloshvili is a small winery, which also has a comfortable hotel where you can relax in silence, tasting local wines for days on end. The first vineyards were planted in 2013, after which the active construction of the entire technological infrastructure for wine production and accommodation of guests began. The winery is equipped with the best modern equipment for storing and bottling wines, which "mature" either in qvevri or in oak barrels. The creator of the enterprise, Alex Shaloshvili, claims that his whole life is connected with viticulture and he treats the production of each batch of wine with knowledge of the matter, strictly controlling the quality. In addition to walking through the vineyards and tastings, you will find exciting culinary master classes, harvesting (in the autumn season), and horseback riding among the picturesque Kakhetian valleys.
Winery Khareba
One of the largest Kakhetian wine producers, Winery Khareba, invites everyone to a tasting and inspection of the underground tunnel, which is now used as an exhibition hall and a platform for tasting the plant's products. You will have a short excursion through the tunnel and, in fact, a wine tasting. It is noteworthy that Khareba produces up to 50 types of different wines. The Kakhetian branch usually serves Saperavi, Kindzmarauli, Rkatsiteli, and Kisi. In addition, it is possible to taste chacha. The drinks are accompanied by light snacks: fresh bread with butter and cheeses. Those who want a deeper immersion in Georgian culture can choose a separate package of services, including culinary master classes.
Javakhishvili Wine Cellar
Javakhishvili Wine Cellar is a cozy winery surrounded by vineyards located in the middle of the mountains of the Kvareli region, which is famous for its charming panoramas. There is a production and tasting hall, a huge wine cellar, as well as a luxurious restaurant where you can not only have a delicious lunch, but also play a wedding. By the way, there is everything here for holding exit ceremonies and banquets. At the same time, the atmosphere of the place itself will hospitably introduce you to the traditions of Georgian winemaking. The design of the territory is made in the style of a Georgian village, with special attention to every detail. Guests of this place praise the wine and national dishes that are served here. In addition, the hospitable hosts of the winery invite visitors to take part in Rtveli and learn how to cook khinkali, churchkhela and traditional puri bread. A tandoor oven is specially equipped for this. And in the restaurant of the winery, you can warm up by the fireplace on cold evenings, enjoying the peace and quiet.
Dakishvili Winery
Giorgi, also known as Gogi, Dakishvili is a true professional and hereditary winemaker. Having learned the art of growing grapes and making wine from his grandfather, he has been meticulously improving his qualifications and absorbing new knowledge in this field all his life. He also worked for many years at wineries and family wineries, practicing his acquired skills. And finally, Gogi decided to open his own winery - the business of his life. "Dakishvili Winery" is located near Telavi, in the small village of Shalauri. It is here that the family vineyards and wine production are located. The winery's products are prepared using both European and traditional Georgian technology. However, Dakishvili's main love is undoubtedly the method of aging wine in qvevri; he considers it to be the most natural and environmentally friendly. The winery produces a unique wine "Dakishvili's Cuvee", which is created from three different grape varieties: Kisi (70%), Mtsvane (20%) and Rkatsiteli (10%). In addition, wines are made from Saperavi and Cabernet Sauvignon. The company produces up to 150 thousand bottles of wine per year. There is an impressive, beautifully decorated wine cellar with действующими квеври, as well as a restaurant, terrace, and vineyards stretching into the distance. To get on a wine tour and tasting, you need to book in advance.
Twins Wine House
The incredibly atmospheric winery "Twins Wine House" with spacious vineyards and a huge swimming pool was opened by two twin brothers, Gela and Gia Gamcikulashvili. The land was inherited from their father and grandfather, and wine production existed here before: the brothers' grandfather successfully created a magic drink for family and friends until the arrival of Soviet power. After refusing to hand over his land, house, and winery to the Soviets, Firuz Gamcikulashvili was sent to the Gulag, and his young son Valiko managed his father's possessions as best he could. For a long time the winery and cellar were abandoned, until the early 2000s, when Gela and Gia began to restore the family estate. Be that as it may, now "Twins Wine House" is a stunning winery located among the picturesque mountain Kakhetian valleys, in the village of Napareuli. There is everything here for a full-fledged rest and acquaintance with the culture of local winemaking: a hotel with 22 rooms, a restaurant of Georgian cuisine. But the main pearl of this place, for which, in our opinion, you should definitely come here, is the certified wine museum, where artifacts-witnesses of the past of Kakhetian wineries were collected. At the winery you can walk through the vineyards, go for a wine tasting and have a hearty lunch with delicious Georgian dishes. Hotel guests will also be able to swim to their heart's content in the spacious pool, enjoying the warm sun and the singing of birds.
Kakheti is a fairly large and diverse region of Georgia. And no matter which winery or winery you choose to get acquainted with Georgian winemaking culture, you will definitely be impressed. Here you will be greeted with cordiality and love and will be happy to share many secrets of creating natural and delicious wine!
Kakheti's Hidden Gems: 6 Family Wineries Beyond the Usual Suspects
Discover even more of Kakheti's diverse wineries! From an American artist's passion project in Sighnaghi to family-run estates nestled among mountains, this second part of our guide takes you beyond the usual tourist trail. Georgia's Kakheti region boasts a long and rich winemaking history, and its wineries reflect this heritage with everything from traditional qvevri-aged wines to modern, artist-driven projects.
Pheasant's Tears: An Artist's Passion Becomes Wine
One of Sighnaghi's most well-known wineries is Pheasant's Tears, founded by American artist John Wurdeman whose love for Georgia led him to stay and create something extraordinary. Pheasant's Tears specializes in natural wines made in qvevri. The owner's dedication to organic practices, from grape cultivation to the final product, is reflected in every sip. Alongside their delicious wines, the restaurant serves a fresh, seasonal menu driven by what's available at the local market, completing the farm-to-table experience.
