Old cellar, new favorites. In Prince Karalashvili’s 200-year-old wine cellar in Tbilisi Old Town, I love the personal attention and the way the tasting pairs five Georgian premium wines with Georgian chacha and a cheese board, all while the owner explains winemaking traditions. The only real drawback to plan around is timing: you may not be able to pick your exact slot through booking, so confirm the start time with the operator before you lock in plans.

This is a private, English-friendly session (about an hour) at a place that feels like a time capsule—cozy, comfortable, and packed with period charm. If you’re solo, this kind of small, guided format can be a smart way to enjoy Georgian wine without guessing what to order.

Key Highlights You’ll Notice Fast

• 200-year-old cellar setting with period furniture and an intimate, comfortable feel
• Private attention—your tasting is guided around your questions and preferences
• 5 Georgian premium wines plus chacha, paired with a Georgian cheese board
• Wine-and-culture storytelling tied to Georgian history and traditions
• Easy start point in Tbilisi Old Town (19 Vertskhli St) with public transport nearby

Why This 1-Hour Private Tasting Feels Like a Proper Lesson

A wine tasting in Tbilisi can be anything from quick pours to real education. This one is built for the “I have limited time, but I want depth” traveler. In about an hour, you’re not just sampling—you’re learning how Georgian wine styles and local spirits fit together with the country’s long winemaking culture.

What makes it work is the pace. You taste multiple items across the session, and the guide keeps connecting flavors to method and tradition. That’s why people consistently rate this experience so highly: the atmosphere is cozy, but the explanations are practical and easy to follow.

Getting to 19 Vertskhli St and Settling Into Old Town

You’ll meet at 19 Vertskhli St in Tbilisi, in the Old Town area. The good news for planning: the session starts and ends back at the same meeting point, so you’re not stuck with a tricky “drop-off somewhere else” problem.

Also, it’s near public transportation. That matters because Old Town can be a maze when you’re moving on your own—so you’ll appreciate having a clear address and an easy return path. If you’re arriving late, don’t wing it; message or call ahead so the tasting can stay on schedule.

Inside the 200-Year-Old Wine Cellar: Atmosphere Matters

The main event happens in a cellar that’s about 200 years old. And it’s not just “historic in theory.” The room has that real, lived-in character people talk about—period charm, comfortable seating, and antique-style details connected to the Royal Karalashvili family.

This kind of setting changes the tasting. When you’re surrounded by old stone and cellar atmosphere, you slow down without forcing it. You’re more likely to notice differences between pours instead of rushing through them like a bar flight.

Expect it to feel intimate. Since it’s private, your group controls the pace more than in big group tastings.

The Tasting Flow: Cheese Board First, Then Wines and Chacha

The tasting is built around a simple structure that keeps your palate from getting overwhelmed.

You start with a Georgian cheese board. This isn’t just a snack—it helps you “reset” between sips. Cheese also makes it easier to notice how the wines and chacha behave once they hit real food flavors instead of tasting straight.

After that, you move through five Georgian premium wines, followed by Georgian national vodka, chacha. The order can shift based on what you like, and that flexibility shows up in feedback from people who said the host adjusted the session around personal preferences.

Here’s how to get the most out of the tasting flow:

• Take small sips and pause for a few seconds before reacting
• Try to describe one thing you like (fruit, spice, dryness, warmth) before you ask the guide
• If chacha is new to you, treat it like something you sip slowly, not something you chase

What You’ll Taste: Georgian Premium Wines, Chacha, and Local Cheese

This experience includes:

• Five different Georgian premium wines
• Chacha (Georgian national vodka)
• A Georgian cheese board

One of the most praised parts is the range. People describe the selection as wide enough that you don’t feel stuck tasting the same style repeatedly. Even if you’re not a “wine person,” this variety helps you find a direction—white versus red preferences, dry versus more aromatic profiles, and what kind of flavors you naturally gravitate to.

A few additional practical notes:

• If you don’t drink white wine, you can still have an excellent session. Your host should be able to guide you toward the styles that fit your tastes.
• If you’re curious about Georgian spirit culture, chacha is the fast track. It’s not just an add-on; it’s part of the way Georgian drinking traditions are explained in context.

And yes—people often single out the chacha. One review mentioned a chacha choice as the best tried during a trip, which tells me the pour isn’t treated as an afterthought.

How the Guide Connects Wine to Georgia’s Traditions

The tasting isn’t only about flavor. The host explains the story behind the wine cellar and gives context for Georgian history, traditions, and culture—because Georgian wine isn’t presented as a random product. It’s presented as the result of how people have lived and made wine for a long time.

In practice, this means you’ll likely learn things like:

• how winemaking tradition shapes what you taste
• how Georgian wine types differ from what you might know from elsewhere
• how local heritage is tied to the cellar and its family story

Guides in this experience can include sommelier names like Anna and Mari, and the ownership side is represented through Karalashvili family leadership (Lasha Karalashvili is repeatedly mentioned in responses). The common thread across names is a similar style: friendly, detailed, and focused on helping you understand what you’re tasting.

If you want to make the session even more useful, ask one question before you start:

• Do you want a dry, fruit-forward wine or something more complex and earthy?
• Are you more curious about the grapes or about how Georgian wine is made?

Those questions steer the tasting without turning it into an interrogation.

Price and Value: Why $36.20 Can Make Sense Here

At $36.20 per person, this isn’t a “buy one tiny taste and call it done” deal. For the price, you get:

• five Georgian wine pours
• chacha
• a cheese board
• and the time of the host to explain cellar history and winemaking tradition

You’re also paying for a setting. A 200-year-old cellar in Tbilisi Old Town isn’t something you replicate at a standard bar. The cozy, period-charm atmosphere also makes the session feel like it lasts longer than an hour.

Value also comes from the private format. In a group tasting, you can easily get stuck waiting your turn. Here, your guide can adapt to your questions and preferences. That adaptation is one reason solo travelers frequently rate it so well: you’re not “on the side” of someone else’s experience.

If you’re comparing options, ask yourself: do you want volume or understanding? This one is built for understanding.

Who Should Book This Private Wine Tasting

This is a strong fit if:

• you want a private, small-group style tasting in Tbilisi
• you like Georgian culture and want the wine stories explained clearly
• you’re traveling solo and want a guided experience without awkward group dynamics
• you’re short on time but still want a meaningful session (it’s around an hour)

It may be less ideal if you’re looking for a very casual “no talking, just drinking” atmosphere. The value here comes from conversation and context.

Language is English, so it’s also a good choice if you want explanations without relying on a guide app.

Practical Tips to Make Your Tasting Smoother

These are small moves that make a big difference in a tasting session like this:

• Bring your preferences: tell the host if you avoid certain styles. Reviews include cases where even non-white-wine drinkers found favorites.
• Go with curiosity: ask what makes a Georgian wine style different from what you may have tried at home.
• Sip slowly: five wines plus chacha can be plenty for an hour, especially with a cheese board in the mix.
• Plan your evening timing: since you may not select the exact slot through booking, confirm the start time with the operator.
• Use your mobile ticket: it’s part of how you check in.

And if you travel with a service animal, note that service animals are allowed.

Should You Book Prince Karalashvili’s Private Tasting?

I’d book it if you want a cozy, private Georgian tasting that actually teaches you something in a short time. The standout strengths are the intimate cellar setting, the personal attention, and the fact that you taste a useful spread—five Georgian premium wines plus chacha—paired with Georgian cheese.

I’d think twice only if your schedule is extremely tight or you hate confirming exact time slots. This experience tends to run smoothly when you connect with the operator about your start time.

If you’re in Tbilisi Old Town and you want one high-quality, guided activity that feels authentic, this private cellar tasting is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the Prince Karalashvili private wine tasting?

It lasts about 1 hour.

Where do I meet for the tasting?

The meeting point is 19 Vertskhli St, Tbilisi, Georgia. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included in the tasting?

You’ll taste five different Georgian premium wines, Georgian chacha, and a Georgian cheese board.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

Is the tasting offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Do I need to choose a specific time when booking?

The details say the listing is offered through booking, but a full time slot may need confirmation with the operator. It’s smart to contact them to confirm your start time.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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