My Honest Review of the 2025 WINE & DINE Tour from Kutaisi

So, you’re looking for a day trip out of Kutaisi, right? You have likely seen advertisements for some kind of food and drink adventure, and you know, Georgia is practically famous for its wine. I was in your shoes not too long ago, really trying to find an experience that felt genuine. As a matter of fact, the 2025 ‘WINE & DINE Tour from Kutaisi’ kept popping up. To be honest, I was a little bit skeptical at first because tour names can sometimes promise more than they deliver. Anyway, I decided to book it, and I wanted to share my complete thoughts on what the day was actually like. Honestly, this isn’t just a list of stops. Instead, it’s more or less my personal take on the sights, the tastes, and the people you meet along the way. I mean, the point is to help you figure out if this particular tour is a good fit for your own trip. Basically, what you’re about to read is my attempt to give you a very clear picture of the whole day, from start to finish.

Starting the Day: Pickup and First Impressions

Okay, the morning started with a pickup right from our hotel in Kutaisi, which was, frankly, very convenient. The confirmation email said the van would arrive around 9 AM, and you know, it was almost exactly on time. Our ride for the day was a comfortable, air-conditioned minibus, which was definitely a relief because Georgian summers can be pretty warm. There were about ten of us in the group, which I thought was a really good number. It was, sort of, small enough to feel personal but also large enough that you could meet a few new people. Our guide, a local guy named Levan, introduced himself with a really big, warm smile that, like, instantly made everyone feel at ease. He began telling us about the plan for the day as we drove, but he did it in a very relaxed way, almost like he was just chatting with friends. As we pulled away from the city streets of Kutaisi, the scenery almost immediately began to change. I mean, we watched as the apartment blocks gave way to rolling green hills and small, charming villages. Honestly, there’s just something about leaving a city behind for the countryside that feels like the real beginning of an adventure. The air itself even seemed fresher, you know? Actually, this gentle start set a pretty positive tone for the entire rest of the day.

The Heart of Georgian Wine: A Visit to the Wineries

After a very scenic drive, we, in fact, arrived at our first stop. I mean, it wasn’t a huge, commercial winery, but a small, family-operated place that felt incredibly welcoming. The family greeted us personally, you know, as if we were old friends coming for a visit. This is really where the “wine” part of the tour came alive. They led us to their marani, which is basically the Georgian name for a wine cellar. And there they were, the famous qvevri—huge clay pots buried underground where the wine ferments. It was honestly pretty incredible to see. The owner explained, with so much passion, how his family has been making wine this way for generations. You could just feel the history in that room.

First Tastes at a Family-Run Vineyard

So, the tasting began, and frankly, this was the moment we were all waiting for. They poured us a few different kinds of their homemade wine. We started with a crisp, white Tsolikouri, which was just a little fruity and very easy to drink. Next, we tried the amber wine, made in the qvevri with the grape skins left in. Honestly, its flavor was so different—a little bit bold, with notes of apricot and nuts. It was kind of an unusual taste, but in a very good way. The star of the show for me, you know, was the Otskhanuri Sapere, a deep red wine that was incredibly rich and full of character. The owner explained that each wine tells a story about the year’s harvest, and honestly, you could taste it. He didn’t just pour the wine; he, like, shared a piece of his family’s legacy with us. At the end of the day, it was so much more than a simple tasting; it was a cultural lesson in a glass.

Contrasting Styles at the Second Winery

Anyway, our second winery visit provided a slightly different experience, which I actually appreciated. This place was a bit bigger, and more or less had a more organized setup, with a proper tasting room overlooking the vineyards. Yet, it still had that authentic Georgian charm. Here, the focus was sort of on comparing the European style of winemaking with the traditional qvevri method. We, for example, got to try a Krakhuna wine made in a stainless-steel tank and then sample the same type of grape made in a qvevri. The difference was, frankly, amazing. The European style was very clean and crisp, while the qvevri version was more complex and had a lot more texture. It was a really smart way to show us how much the method impacts the final product. Our guide used this stop to share a wonderful thought. He said:

“In Georgia, you see, wine is not just a drink. It is a member of the family. We care for it, we talk to it, and in return, it shares its spirit with us at the table.”

By this point in the day, everyone in the group was, you know, a bit more relaxed and talkative. The shared experience of tasting and learning together really seemed to bring us all a little closer. We were no longer just a group of tourists; we were, in a way, fellow explorers on a flavor-filled quest.

The “Dine” Part of the Tour: An Authentic Georgian Feast

Of course, this tour wasn’t just about the wine. The “dine” portion was just as impressive, if not more so. For lunch, we were taken to the home of a local family for what could only be described as a proper Georgian feast, or a supra. We sat down at a long table in their garden, and the food just kept coming. I mean, it was an absolutely incredible spread. We had fresh, warm Imeretian khachapuri, which is the local cheese-filled bread, and honestly, it was probably the best I’ve ever tasted. Then came skewers of juicy pork Mtsvadi, grilled perfectly over a fire. There were also plates of Badrijani Nigvzit, which are these amazing fried eggplant rolls filled with a seasoned walnut paste. We also had bowls of fresh salads, pungent local cheeses, and a tangy green plum sauce called tkemali. The hospitality was, basically, off the charts. The host family encouraged us to eat and drink as much as we wanted, making sure everyone felt like a part of their household for the afternoon. It was so much more than just a meal; it was a celebration of food, community, and Georgian generosity. It’s the kind of experience you just can’t get by eating at a regular restaurant, you know?

More Than Just Food and Drink: The Scenery and Side Stops

I thought the tour would just be wineries and food, but actually, the journey itself was a highlight. The drive through the Imereti region was just beautiful. I mean, our guide took us on some back roads, and we saw these incredible landscapes that you would probably miss on a typical bus tour. We passed by lush forests, winding rivers, and tiny villages where it seemed like time had more or less stood still. He would often pull over at a scenic viewpoint, you know, just so we could get out, stretch our legs, and take some pictures. For instance, at one point we stopped by the side of a road overlooking a deep river canyon. It was just so peaceful and quiet. The guide also took us for a quick stop at a local roadside market where people were selling homemade honey, churchkhela (the candy that looks like a candle), and fresh fruit. I actually bought a jar of local honey, and it was so good. These little unscheduled stops really added a lot of value and made the day feel much more spontaneous and complete. It showed that the tour wasn’t just about ticking boxes but was about experiencing the region as a whole. You could tell the guide genuinely loved his home and really wanted to show it off.

Final Thoughts and Practical Tips Before You Book

So, at the end of the day, is this tour a good choice? Frankly, I think for most people, the answer is a definite yes. It strikes a really great balance between learning, tasting, and just enjoying the incredible Georgian culture and scenery. The small group size and personal touch from the guide and the local families made it feel very special. Still, to help you decide, here are a few practical points to keep in mind:

• You will drink a good amount of wine. The pours are quite generous, you know. It’s a good idea to eat the breakfast offered at your hotel and to pace yourself throughout the day. Drink lots of water too, which they do provide on the bus.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Basically, you will be walking on uneven ground in vineyards and at the family homes. There is no need for anything fancy; just be comfortable.
• Bring a little extra cash. You will probably want to buy a bottle or two of your favorite wine directly from the producers, and some places might not take cards. As I was saying, it’s also good for snacks or souvenirs at the market stops.
• This tour is great for you if… You are a foodie, a wine lover, a solo traveler looking to meet people, or a couple wanting a romantic day out. Seriously, it’s also perfect if you want an authentic cultural experience away from the crowds.
• This tour might not be for you if… You don’t drink alcohol at all, as that is a major focus. It could also be a very long day for very young children.

The whole day, from start to finish, was more or less about eight hours long. We got back to Kutaisi in the early evening, feeling very full, a little sleepy, and completely happy. It felt like we had spent the day with friends, not on a formal tour. I mean, it’s one of those travel days that you’ll probably talk about for a very long time.

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