How a seemingly dull, guided day trip became an unforgettable travel experience.

By Jacob Vestervig

January 10th, 2025

After spending a few weeks in Georgia, we realized that with only a short time left, we still hadn’t properly explored the country’s famous wine region. Sure, we’d been drinking plenty of homemade white wine in local restaurants alongside our almost-daily portions of khinkali, but we wanted more.

We weren’t sure which wineries and regions were worth visiting in the winter months, and we didn’t feel like figuring it out ourselves—renting a car and all that. A quick Google search led us to a tour designed specifically for the winter season: a small-group day trip in a minivan, including lunch, dinner, and visits to three wineries. We figured it was better than missing out on Georgia’s wine culture entirely, even if we feared it might be a bit too touristy—or, worst-case scenario, boring. (We’re normally not into guided tours and similar experiences.)

But to our surprise, the trip turned out to be absolutely fantastic—hilarious, interesting, and far from ordinary!

The Cast

At 8 AM, right on time, our guide and driver picked us up for the day’s adventure. 

It took about an hour to collect the other six guests, and then we all headed east from Tbilisi—a drive of about an hour and a half.

Our driver spent the first part of the trip sharing a bit about himself and Georgia’s centuries-old wine traditions. Then, one by one, we introduced ourselves:

A newlywed couple from India on their honeymoon—one worked in fashion, the other in software.

A man from the U.S., living in Bali, teaching at an international school.

A couple—he from England, she from the Philippines—living in Singapore; she teaches music, he’s a consultant in the water sector.

And then us, from the tiny island of Anholt, Denmark—restaurant owners and travel bloggers among other things.

Right from the introductions, there was an inexplicable chemistry between all of us. The conversation flowed effortlessly throughout the day, covering everything from religion, royalty, and politics to wild, funny, and sometimes disastrous travel and food experiences from around the world. It was a group full of great listeners, fascinating perspectives, and genuinely hilarious people. All fond of talking — sometimes, the guide barely got a word in!

Winery Hopping

Our journey took us to Kakheti, the wine region covering almost a quarter of Georgia in the east.

First stop was Giuaani Winery in Manavi.Even though it was off-season, we got a full tour of the winery—from the vineyards to the bottling and packaging areas, and even their on-site restaurant. We were treated to a delicious, generous lunch paired with a tasting of six wines (white, orange, and red). And, of course, the conversations kept rolling.

The second stop was at Kerovani Winery in Sighnaghi
After a short city tour of the charming village, we arrived at this cozy, family-run winery. Here, they use Georgia’s ancient qvevri method—fermenting wine naturally in large clay vessels buried underground. The hosts welcomed us with a full tasting and stories about their winemaking process. And by this point, let’s just say not much of the wine was ending up in the spittoon…

After a 50-minute drive west, it was time for the grand finale at Burjanadze Wine Cellar in Sagarejo
— for a mini-supra hosted by a Georgian family brewing their own wine right in their carport. They weren’t just hobbyists, but professional winemakers producing wine using traditional methods.

Thankfully, we had all taken a short power nap in the van, and we were about to need that energy!

We Wake Up Again

A little groggy from an afternoon of drinking and travel, we arrived at the family’s home. 

We were offered a Chacha—a strong spirit made from the leftover from the wine production—alongside some light snacks. The chacha warmed us up and snapped us right out of our nap.

After a quick introduction to their winemaking process, we were led inside for the real supra experience – read more about a supra here. The family’s ordinary kitchen had produced an extraordinary spread of nearly every classic Georgian dish imaginable.

And from that moment, the night exploded into something magical.

Plates kept coming. Bottles of orange wine were opened one after another. We ate and drank with the grandmother (who spoke no English), the parents, the winemaker son (also our tamada or toastmaster), our guide, and each other.

Our tamada? Absolutely legendary. He had us crying with laughter., he moved us with heartfelt, philosophical toasts and he played a ukulele and sang traditional folk songs.

His father jumped on the piano, first playing American jazz, then Georgian melodies, with his son joining in. Then one of our fellow travelers took over the piano with a stunning song, 

and before we knew it, we were all dancing in the living room—learning traditional Georgian moves before completely letting loose.

It was crazy, hilarious, and completely authentic—even though, yes, we technically paid for the experience.

Eventually, our guide had to forcefully end the party—it was late, it was dark, and we had a long drive home. Let’s just say not everyone felt great in the van back to Tbilisi… but we’ll leave that story untold.

And the Price? An absolute steal.

For everything—a full-day guide, transport with home pick-up, fantastic lunch, an unforgettable supra, multiple wine tastings, tours, history, entertainment, and incredible new friendships—we paid just 430 GEL per person (about €150 / $150 / DKK1,200).

Worth every penny—and then some.