A Place Where Wine Isn’t Just a Drink – It’s a Way of Life

Discover Georgia in Spring or Fall

Imagine a place where wine isn’t just a drink – it’s a way of life. This is a land where Georgian winemaking has been perfected over 8,000 years and is home to more than 525 native grape varieties. Wine is still aged in qvevris – massive earthenware vessels buried underground – just as it was millennia ago. This is the birthplace of amber wine, the home of one of the world’s earliest viticultural traditions, and a country where wine is so deeply woven into culture that it has its own UNESCO-listed winemaking method.

Picture yourself at a long, lively table, where toasts are an art form. Plates of khachapuri (cheese-filled bread), mtsvadi (juicy skewered meat), and assorted pkhali (chopped and minced vegetables with walnuts) appear endlessly. You’ll also find red beans in a clay pot, a beloved staple on any Georgian table. Every glass of wine tells a story.

For instance, think of experiencing all this in May – the ideal time to visit. The vineyards are lush and green, and the country’s most exciting natural wine festivals bring together winemakers, experts, and enthusiasts from around the globe.

This is the remarkable country of Georgia. Let us arrange a private journey for you at this exciting time of year. You could begin in Tbilisi by meeting the pioneers of the country’s celebrated natural wine movement at the Wine Ambassadors Festival on May 1 and the Zero Compromise Natural Wine Fair on May 2 and 3. Explore the city’s creative spaces as boutique winemakers showcase their best at the Saamuri Natural Wine Salon on May 4^th, or venture just outside the capital to Chardakhi Village for the Sherekilebi Wine Salon, May 4^th – an intimate gathering at one of Georgia’s most revered organic wineries.

Moreover, beyond the festivals, wander through the vineyards of Kakheti, where rolling hills lead to historic monasteries and winemakers welcome you into their cellars. Don’t forget to raise a glass to celebrate Georgia’s Independence Day on May 26. Gaumarjos! (cheers).

But May is just one side of Georgia’s legendary wine story. Travel in September or October, and you’ll arrive just in time for rtveli – Georgia’s traditional grape harvest. This is when families and winemakers come together to pick grapes and press them by hand. They celebrate the year’s bounty with feasts, music, and endless toasts. Experience the magic of the harvest season as you step into a vineyard and taste freshly pressed grape juice. Watch winemakers craft qvevri wine firsthand—using techniques passed down for thousands of years.

For decades, we’ve been guiding travelers to this extraordinary place. Join MIR’s small-group journey, A Taste of Georgia, to experience the country’s wine culture firsthand, or let us design a custom private trip in May for the festivals. However you choose to explore, we’ll ensure your itinerary brings you to the heart of Georgia’s wine traditions.

Chat with one of our destination specialists today!