Natural Wine Tour to Kartli region, lunch & wine tasting at Andro Barnovi

Natural wine in Georgia sounds like a niche hobby. Here it feels like a proper day out, with Andro Barnovi guiding you through his wines, then feeding you at his chateau near Gori. I love that the tasting goes beyond the usual picks, including freshly squeezed and vintage wines plus strong spirits, not just a few sips and done.

The most thoughtful part is the flow: you start with a 6th-century UNESCO stop at Jvari Monastery, then move into the earth with a two-level winery tour before lunch. One thing to consider is that this is an alcohol-forward experience, so plan for a long day and expect to drink at least some wines during the tasting.

Key things you’ll remember on this Andro Barnovi natural wine day

• Underground, two-level winery tour, with explanations as you walk through the cellar world
• Full spectrum tasting at Andro’s home base, including freshly squeezed and vintage wines
• Lunch at the chateau in Tsedisi, paired with the relaxed rhythm of local food
• Jvari Monastery near Mtskheta as a morning history anchor before the wine
• Optional add-ons like Stalin’s museum and Uplistsikhe caves if you want more sights

A natural wine tour that feels rooted, not performative

Georgia is one of those wine places where you can taste the country’s personality. This tour is built for that idea. You start with a historic site, then you head into Kartli for the real reason you came, wine made the natural way, at the source.

What I like most is how the day is structured around people and place, not a checklist. You get both the story and the product, and the tasting happens in the same environment where the wines are made and stored. That connection matters, because you taste with context, not in a loud tasting room where everything blurs together.

You also get a surprisingly full program for the price. At $155 per person, the value comes from transportation plus a proper lunch and an alcohol-included tasting, all wrapped into an 8-hour day.

From Jvari Monastery near Mtskheta to the Kartli wineries

Your day begins with a morning visit to Jvari Monastery, a 6th-century UNESCO sight near Mtskheta. Even if you know very little about Georgian history, this stop is a helpful reset. It gives you a sense of how old traditions and modern identity sit side by side in Georgia.

After Jvari, the tour moves toward the wine country area around Gori. The winery lunch stop is in Tsedisi, about a 20-minute drive from Gori, with mountains and dramatic views around you. The ride itself is part of the experience because you leave the city feel behind and start seeing why Kartli has always been good for agriculture and wine.

Then comes the main event, the exploration of Andro Barnovi’s winery, where you’ll taste as you go. Expect the day to keep a steady pace, not a rushed stop-and-sprint.

Jvari Monastery: your calm, historic warm-up before wine tasting

Jvari is the kind of place where you instantly get your bearings. You’re visiting a UNESCO site from the 6th century, and it works as a mental warm-up for everything that comes later.

This is not about trying to memorize dates. It’s about understanding the long timeline that Georgia carries. When your guide connects the monument to modern life and politics, the wine tasting afterward lands differently, because you’re tasting culture, not only grapes.

If you want one practical tip, it’s this: dress for the morning. Monasteries can mean cool air and open viewpoints, even when Tbilisi feels warmer later.

Andro Barnovi’s chateau in Tsedisi, and his two-level underground winery

The winery experience starts once you arrive at Andro Barnovi’s place in Tsedisi. This is where the tour earns its special feeling. The winery is described as a unique underground two-level site, so you’re not just stepping into a basement. You’re moving through levels of a working wine space.

That underground design is more than a novelty. Cellars help keep temperatures steadier, which matters when you’re storing wines and handling different batches. In practical terms, it creates a focused setting for explanations and tasting, with fewer distractions.

From there, the tour continues upstairs into the atmosphere of the chateau. In summer, you eat in an outdoor hut setting. In winter, you go in front of a fireplace. Either way, this is a real break from sightseeing mode and a transition into the food and wine part of the day.

The tasting: freshly squeezed, vintage wines, and strong spirits

The heart of the tour is the tasting session with Andro Barnovi, the founder and spirit behind Wine Artisans. The tasting is described as full spectrum, with a chance to sample all types of wine plus numerous varieties of strong spirits.

I like how the tasting is connected to the winery tour. You’re not just tasting for entertainment. You’re learning as you taste, with explanations tied to how wines are made and how they behave across vintages.

You should expect a mix that goes beyond standard red and white pours. The tour highlights freshly squeezed wines and vintage wines, so you get a sense of how the winemaking character can shift depending on time and process. If you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys comparisons, this format will click.

And yes, strong spirits are included in the tasting lineup. That can be a bonus if you like digestifs or Georgian drink culture. It also means you should pace yourself. Sip, taste, take notes if you do that sort of thing, and don’t feel rushed to finish everything immediately.

Lunch at the chateau: where the day slows down

Lunch at Andro’s chateau is included, and it’s part of the experience’s value. This is not a box lunch eaten on the move. It’s described as delicious local food, served upstairs in a summer hut or by the fireplace in winter.

This matters because wine tours go better when you’re not just drinking back-to-back. A proper meal helps you reset your palate and enjoy the rest of the tasting without feeling flat from too much alcohol too quickly.

If you’re someone who worries about food matching wine, you’re in good shape here. The tour format is built around pairing the lunch with the overall experience, so the meal feels connected rather than random.

Optional add-ons: Stalin’s museum and Uplistsikhe caves

You have options if you want to add more sights to the day.

One possible add-on is Stalin’s museum. The tour info notes it as a kind of shame point, which tells you the stop is framed as politically charged rather than sentimental. If you’re interested in how countries process difficult chapters, it could add perspective.

Another option is Uplistsikhe caves, a separate historical attraction that fits well with the day’s bigger theme of Georgia’s past. If you like architecture carved into rock or you want something visually dramatic after Jvari, this can make the itinerary feel more complete.

Only you can decide if these add-ons fit. If you’re primarily there for natural wine and an unhurried meal, you might skip the extras and keep the day focused. If you want a mixed day of history and wine, these add-ons can work.

Price and logistics: what you are really paying for at $155

At $155 per person, this tour is priced as an all-in day: private transportation, lunch, bottled water, and alcohol beverages are included. That’s a big part of the value. You’re not paying separately for transport, food, and drinks, which is where many tour costs creep upward.

You also get an 8-hour window, which is long enough to do more than a quick tasting. The format includes a monastery stop and an underground winery exploration, then a meal and a full assortment tasting. If you like structured days without the stress of arranging drivers and reservations, this is built for you.

Private tour also means just your group participates. That usually helps with comfort and pacing, especially on a day that involves lots of tasting.

One practical consideration: confirmation happens at booking time, and you’ll use a mobile ticket. That’s helpful, but I recommend you have the ticket accessible offline too, just as a backup.

Who this tour is best for (and who might want to choose something else)

This is a strong fit for you if you want natural wine in Georgia with real context. It’s also a good match if you like meeting passionate people behind the product and hearing explanations that connect wine to Georgian life.

You’ll probably enjoy this most if:

• you like wine tasting with food, not tasting as a stand-alone activity
• you want a winery visit that includes a tour of the cellar space
• you’re open to tasting strong spirits as well

If you are not interested in drinking more than a couple sips, this might feel like too much alcohol for a full day. In that case, you could still go, but you’ll want to keep a careful pace.

Tips to get the most out of the day

Since alcohol is included, I’d treat this like a full-day tasting, not a light sampler. Drink water between pours, and slow down during the strongest spirits parts.

For the comfort side, plan for walking around the monastery area and moving through the winery. Wear shoes that work well on uneven surfaces.

Finally, come with curiosity. Andro Barnovi’s wines and the natural wine angle are where you’ll get the biggest payoff if you ask questions during the explanations.

Should you book this Andro Barnovi natural wine tour?

If you want a natural wine experience that feels tied to place, this is an easy yes. The mix of Jvari Monastery, Andro’s two-level underground winery, and included lunch with a full tasting lineup makes the day feel complete without being overpacked.

I’d book it if you value wine with context and you’re excited to taste both freshly made and vintage bottles, plus Georgian strong spirits. Choose it with confidence if you want an authentic, structured day outside the city, where food and wine are part of the same story.

FAQ

How long is the natural wine tour to the Kartli region?

The tour lasts about 8 hours.

Is pickup in Tbilisi included?

Pickup is offered, and the tour uses private transportation.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes private transportation, all fees and taxes, an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages.

Will I taste wine at Andro Barnovi’s winery?

Yes. You’ll do a full spectrum wine tasting, including freshly squeezed and vintage wines, and you’ll also have strong spirits included in the tasting.

Do you visit a monastery during the tour?

Yes. You visit Jvari Monastery, a 6th-century UNESCO sight near Mtskheta, in the morning.

Are there any optional stops?

Yes. You can optionally visit Stalin’s museum and Uplistsikhe caves.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.