REVIEW · TBILISI
Private Kakheti Tour organic Wine Tasting with Lunch
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Two wineries in one day beats the big-factory tour routine. You’ll move from a modern tasting room with European-style pours to a family-run winery focused on traditional Qvevri organic wines, with lunch built in and a scenic walk at Sighnaghi’s walls. Along the way, you’ll also step into the Bodbe Monastery of St. Nino site tied to Georgia’s early Christian story.
I especially like how the day balances wine with quick, local food hits, not just glass after glass. The driver-guide Aka is the kind of person who can answer questions on food, history, geography, and even what’s going on right now, all while keeping the drive comfortable (including car-seat support when needed). One thing to watch: the pacing is full, with several short stops, and bottled water isn’t included—so plan to bring or buy your own.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- A Kakheti day you can actually manage
- Picking up in Tbilisi and settling into the drive
- Stop 1: KTW modern winery tasting and brandy
- Quick palate stops: sweets, then bread and cheese
- Bodbe Monastery of St. Nino: the quiet pause
- Sighnaghi Great Wall: the walk with the big views
- Stop 6: Kakabeti family winery organic Qvevri tasting and lunch
- How the stops fit together (so you don’t feel rushed)
- What’s included (and what you’ll pay for)
- Price and value: is $90 worth it?
- Who should book this private Kakheti tour
- Should you book it?
- FAQ
- How long is the Kakheti tour?
- Is pickup included?
- What’s included in the lunch and tastings?
- Do I need to pay for the monastery and city walls?
- Is bottled water included?
- Is this tour private?
Key things to know before you go
- Private, door-to-door pickup in Tbilisi so the day runs on your time (and not public buses).
- Modern + family winery tastings: European-style wines and brandy first, then organic Qvevri wines plus chacha with local dishes.
- Lunch is included, and it happens at the wineries, not at some generic restaurant.
- Sighnaghi Great Wall entry included for a town walk with Alazani Valley and Great Caucasus views.
- Bodbe Monastery of St. Nino stop included, including the tomb/monastery area.
- Quick snack stops for Georgian sweets, plus freshly baked bread and local cheese.
A Kakheti day you can actually manage
This is a long day—about 9 to 10 hours—but it’s structured so you’re not stuck in one place for hours. You’ll start in Tbilisi with pickup from your hotel lobby or another spot in the city, then head out into Kakheti for wine, food, and sights.
Because it’s private, only your group goes in the car with the driver/guide. That matters on a day like this: you get flexibility if your group is slower on walking, or if someone wants extra time asking questions during tastings.
Pricing is $90 per person, and the value comes from the combination of things included: private transportation, fuel surcharge, a driver/guide, entry for the monastery and Sighnaghi walls, and lunch along with wine tastings at both wineries. If you were to do wineries + lunch + guided transportation on your own, it adds up fast.
Other Kakheti wine region tours we've reviewed in Tbilisi
Picking up in Tbilisi and settling into the drive
Pickup is straightforward: you meet at your hotel lobby, apartment, or another Tbilisi location you choose. You should expect a comfortable ride, and if you’re traveling with kids, there’s at least one clear example of car-seat support from the driver-guide.
The drive itself isn’t treated like empty time. Aka’s approach is part conversation, part education, so you get context about what you’re seeing as you move between stops. It’s a nice way to make the day feel like one trip instead of five unrelated errands.
Stop 1: KTW modern winery tasting and brandy
The first real wine moment comes at KTW, a modern winery tasting setup. You get around 45 minutes here, with admission included, and you’ll sample five types of European-style wines plus a brandy.
This stop works well as an intro. You can taste a range of styles without having to “figure out” the system on your own, and it also sets the stage for what you’ll notice later at the family winery.
A small practical note: this first tasting can be more impressive if you’re new to Georgian wine. If you’re already heavily into tastings, the later Qvevri stop may feel more personal and memorable. The modern side may also feel shorter once you’ve had the deeper hospitality that follows.
Quick palate stops: sweets, then bread and cheese
Between wine moments, you get two bite-sized local food stops. They’re short on purpose—think snack-and-continue—so you don’t end up too full to enjoy lunch and the final winery tasting.
At Manavi, you’ll try Georgian traditional sweets in about 10 minutes. After that, at Badiauri, it’s freshly baked bread with local cheese in roughly 20 minutes.
What I like about this approach is that it gives you variety without turning the day into a meal marathon. You’ll get a sense of everyday flavors in Kakheti rather than only what’s served for tourists.
Bodbe Monastery of St. Nino: the quiet pause
Then the schedule slows down in a good way. At Bodbe Monastery of St. Nino, you’ll spend about 30 minutes at the tomb and monastery area connected to Saint Nino.
The important context here is simple: Saint Nino is described as introducing Christianity to Georgia in the 4th century. Even if you’re not a history devotee, that kind of connection adds weight to the visit, because you’re seeing a place tied to a foundational story.
One consideration: it’s a stop where you’ll want to be respectful of the pace and rules of the site. Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be walking and moving through the monastery area.
Other wine tasting tours we've reviewed in Tbilisi
Sighnaghi Great Wall: the walk with the big views
Next comes Signagi City Walls, with Sighnaghi Great Wall entry included. You’ll walk on the wall for about 45 minutes, and it encircles the city.
This is the part of the day that feels like a reward for the long drive and tastings. From up high, you get views over the Alazani Valley and the Great Caucasus Mountains—exactly the kind of Georgian scenery you want after you’ve been indoors sipping wine.
Two practical tips help here:
- Keep an eye on footwear. You’re on a wall walk, so comfort beats style.
- Plan for wind. Wall walks can feel breezy even when the valley is calm.
Stop 6: Kakabeti family winery organic Qvevri tasting and lunch
This is the main event. At Kakabeti, you’ll enjoy about 1 hour 30 minutes at a charming, family-owned winery.
You’ll taste three types of traditional Qvevri organic wines, and you’ll also get chacha, paired with delicious local dishes. Admission for this stop is listed as free, but the tasting and lunch experience are included as part of the day.
What makes Kakabeti special is the tone. This isn’t just a “taste and leave” transaction. The winery hosts explain how they make their Qvevri wine and serve food that feels connected to the wines, not an afterthought. If you like meeting real producers, this stop scratches that itch better than most factory-style tours.
Lunch is included here, so you’re not guessing where to eat or paying extra once you’re tired. It’s also where families and groups tend to relax, because the atmosphere is more personal. In one real example, a child played with the owners’ son during the visit—an indicator that the winery approach can feel human, not scripted.
How the stops fit together (so you don’t feel rushed)
The itinerary is built as alternating chapters:
- Wine introduction at KTW
- Short local snack moments at Manavi and Badiauri
- Cultural and spiritual pause at Bodbe Monastery
- Scenic walk and photos at Sighnaghi walls
- Main tasting + lunch at Kakabeti
That structure helps you pace your palate. You’re not going from one long wine session to a long walk without a break, and you’re not eating heavy food before your final tasting. Still, with a 9 to 10 hour day, you’ll want to treat it as one event rather than “just a few stops.”
If you’re the type who gets tired in cars, bring water snacks and plan for a calm attitude. If your group likes conversation, this itinerary gives your driver-guide plenty of chances to talk—so you’ll get the most out of it if you ask questions.
What’s included (and what you’ll pay for)
Included in your $90 per person:
- Private transportation (pickup in Tbilisi and return via the tour)
- Fuel surcharge
- Snacks tasting of Georgian bread-cheese and traditional sweets
- Lunch and wine tastings at the wineries
- Entry to Sighnaghi Great Wall
- Entry to St. Nino’s Monastery
- Driver/guide
- Mobile ticket
Not included:
- Bottled water
This last line matters more than it sounds. You’ll be tasting wine and eating lunch, and you’ll be walking parts of the day. You can handle it easily by bringing your own bottle before you head out.
Price and value: is $90 worth it?
For a private 9 to 10 hour day, $90 per person is reasonable because you’re paying for more than wine. You’re also paying for guided access to sights (wall and monastery), a driver-guide who can explain what you’re seeing, and lunch that’s included as part of the winery experience.
If you only cared about one winery, you could find cheaper options. But the combination—two different winery styles, a monastery stop, and a wall walk with major views—makes it feel like one full Kakheti day rather than piecemeal planning.
Also, the tour is offered in English, which can be a big value factor if you want real explanations rather than guessing. Add private pickup, and it’s a strong choice if you want comfort and structure.
Who should book this private Kakheti tour
I think this works best for:
- Wine lovers who want more than a basic tasting
- People who care about meeting local producers, not just passing through
- Groups that want a private day with English-speaking guidance
- Anyone who wants culture and food mixed with the wine
It may be less ideal if you:
- Want a super slow day with lots of free time in town
- Dislike wine tastings, since the day is built around them
- Prefer fewer stops, since there are short snack moments in between
Should you book it?
Yes—if your goal is a real Kakheti day that mixes organic Qvevri wine tasting, lunch, and two major sights (St. Nino’s monastery and the Sighnaghi wall). The private setup and the driver-guide’s ability to answer questions also make it feel more personal than a rushed bus tour.
Book it especially if you like the idea of ending at a family winery where the host explanations and food pairing are part of the experience. Just remember the pacing is full and bring water, and you’ll be in a great place to enjoy every stop.
FAQ
How long is the Kakheti tour?
The tour runs about 9 to 10 hours.
Is pickup included?
Yes. Pickup is offered from your hotel lobby, apartment, or any other spot in Tbilisi.
What’s included in the lunch and tastings?
Lunch is included, along with wine tastings at the modern winery and the family-owned winery. You’ll also have snack tastings of Georgian bread-cheese and traditional sweets.
Do I need to pay for the monastery and city walls?
Entry to St. Nino’s Monastery and the Sighnaghi Great Wall is included.
Is bottled water included?
No. Bottled water is not included.
Is this tour private?
Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.
