Wine trail · Georgia

Imereti Wine Route

1. Orgo Wine 1 2. Gelati Monastery 2 3. Baia's Wine 3 4. Lagvinari Winery 4 5. Satsnakheli Wine Cellar 5 6. Dimi Wine Cellar 6 7. Prometheus Cave Wine Tasting 7 8. Samegrelo Wine Route 8 9. Martvili Canyon Wine Picnic 9 20 km 1. Orgo Wine 1 2. Gelati Monastery 2 3. Baia's Wine 3 4. Lagvinari Winery 4 5. Satsnakheli Wine Cellar 5 6. Dimi Wine Cellar 6 7. Prometheus Cave Wine Tasting 7 8. Samegrelo Wine Route 8 9. Martvili Canyon Wine Picnic 9 20 km

Imereti produces Georgia's most distinctive wines. Unlike Kakheti's amber wines with extended skin contact, Imeretian winemakers use shorter maceration and different qvevri shapes.

1–2weeks

Challengingeffort

9stops

Chapter 1 of Silk Road Wine Trail · Georgia

The stops

  1. Tasting · Price: moderate Orgo Wine Traditional Imeretian winemaker using the regional method (less skin contact than Kakheti). Stunning amber wines with Tsolikouri grape.
  2. Tour · Free Gelati Monastery UNESCO World Heritage 12th-century monastery with exceptional mosaics. Monks made wine here for centuries.
  3. Tasting · Price: moderate Baia's Wine One of Georgia's few female natural winemakers. Baia Abuladze makes exceptional Tsolikouri and other Imeretian wines.
  4. Tasting · Price: moderate Lagvinari Winery Eko Glonti's family winery making pure expression Imeretian wines. Known for complex, age-worthy amber wines.
  5. Tasting · Price: low Satsnakheli Wine Cellar Traditional family cellar in the homeland of poet Vladimir Mayakovsky. Authentic village winemaking experience.
  6. Tasting · Price: low Dimi Wine Cellar Family winery focused on rare Imeretian varieties. Dimitri Kipiani revives forgotten grapes.
  7. Tour · Price: moderate Prometheus Cave Wine Tasting Massive karst cave with underground river and lake. Taste Imeretian wines in an underground boat ride experience.
  8. Adventure · Price: low Samegrelo Wine Route Western Georgian wine route through Samegrelo (Mingrelia). Known for Ojaleshi red wine and unique culinary traditions.
  9. Adventure · Price: low Martvili Canyon Wine Picnic Stunning canyon with emerald waters and waterfalls. Bring wine for a picnic after canyon boat tour.

The story

The result is lighter, more aromatic wines from grapes like Tsitska and Tsolikouri.

Plan the trip

Insider tip Visit Prometheus Cave, then taste Imeretian wines - the limestone geology shapes both.

Getting there and around

Car required
Yes
Parking
Free at wineries. Paid parking at Prometheus Cave and Martvili Canyon ($3-5).
Nearest airport
Kutaisi (KUT) - budget airlines (Wizz Air), 20 min to city center
Drinking and driving
Hire driver through hotel ($40-50/day). Kutaisi drivers know the wineries well.
Other airports
  • Tbilisi (TBS) - 4 hr drive via highway
Without a car
Kutaisi city walkable. Day tours to wineries available ($50-80/person). Marshrutkas to Gelati.

Where to stay

Base yourself in
Kutaisi
Why there
Georgia's second city with good restaurants, central to all Imereti sites. UNESCO monasteries nearby.
Booking tip
Kutaisi is less crowded than Tbilisi. Book 1-2 weeks ahead is usually fine.
Nightly range
$30-120

Recommended stays

Budget
Hostel Kutaisi by LUXEhostel - $15/night, clean, central, social
Luxury
Best Western Kutaisi - $100/night, modern amenities, reliable quality
Mid-range
Hotel Bagrati 1003 - $70/night, near Bagrati Cathedral, excellent breakfast
Vineyard stays
Stay with Baia or Lagvinari for authentic vineyard homestay experience - $50-80/night

What it costs

Includes
Accommodation (2-3 nights), tastings, meals, driver, cave entry
Meals
$12-20/day - Kutaisi is affordable
Per person
$200-400
Ways to spend less
  • Kutaisi is significantly cheaper than Tbilisi
  • Family wineries often include supra feast in tasting price
  • Fly into Kutaisi on Wizz Air for budget savings
  • Prometheus Cave combo tickets save money
Tasting fees
$10-20 per winery (many include food)

Booking and timing

Lead time
2+ weeks for Baia's Wine - she's very popular
Closed days
Monasteries have prayer times. Most wineries flexible.
Peak season
Summer (Jul-Aug) busy with Georgian families. Sep-Oct for harvest.
Best time of day
Morning for Gelati (best light for mosaics). Afternoon for wineries.
Group size
Family wineries prefer 2-6 people. Larger groups need special arrangements.

Where to eat

Lunch
  • Kutaisi Bazaar - churchkhela, cheese, fresh bread, $3-5
  • Near Gelati - simple restaurants, $5-10
  • Martvili Canyon cafes - basic but scenic, $5-8
Dinner
  • Palaty (Kutaisi) - traditional Imeretian, excellent, $15-25
  • The White Lion (Kutaisi) - modern Georgian, good wine list, $20-30
  • Cafe Impress (Kutaisi) - local favorite, very affordable, $10-15
Winery restaurants
  • Baia's Wine often includes meals with tasting - book in advance
  • Lagvinari supra feast is memorable - book with tasting

If your time is short

If you only have one day
If it rains
Prometheus Cave (underground), Kutaisi State Historical Museum, or extended cellar tasting

Mistakes to avoid

  • Don't confuse Imeretian and Kakhetian styles - expect lighter, more delicate amber wines here
  • Don't skip Baia's Wine - she's one of Georgia's most important winemakers
  • Don't underestimate supra culture - family tastings include massive meals, pace yourself
  • Don't arrive at Gelati during prayer times or services
  • Don't try to cover Samegrelo and Imereti in one day - too spread out

Worth stopping for

  • Gelati Monastery mosaics - morning light, no flash, use a tripod
  • Martvili Canyon - emerald water, boat tours offer unique angles
  • Baia's vineyard - rolling hills, golden hour for best light
  • Kutaisi Old Town - atmospheric streets, any time
  • Prometheus Cave - challenging lighting, ask about photo boat tours

More trails in this chapter