Uplistsikhe Estate — Wine in Shida Kartli, Georgia

In short

Uplistsikhe Estate is a young winery on Zedavela hill in Shida Kartli, close to the ancient cave city of Uplistsikhe, in central Georgia’s Kartli region. Founded in 2019, the estate says its mission is to revive Georgia’s old winemaking traditions and to help restore Kartli as a historic centre of viticulture. The property combines a working winery with a qvevri cellar, tasting areas, a small restaurant and a vineyard planted with local Georgian grape varieties, alongside some international ones.

The estate and its history

Uplistsikhe Estate takes its name from the nearby Uplistsikhe cave town, a rock-hewn settlement on the Mtkvari (Kura) river that dates back to the early Iron Age and was an important urban and religious centre in pre-Christian and early Christian Georgia. The winery sits on Zedavela hill in the same area, in the Shida Kartli region, where plains meet the surrounding mountains.

According to the estate, the project was established in 2019 with the specific aim of reviving ancient winemaking methods and restoring Kartli’s reputation as one of Georgia’s oldest, though somewhat overlooked, wine-producing areas. The estate describes its approach as blending these old traditions with modern winemaking technology, housed in a purpose-built facility.

• 2019: Uplistsikhe Estate founded near the historic city of Uplistsikhe, in Kartli
• A 7-hectare vineyard planted with local grape varieties selected to reflect those historically grown in the area
• Construction of a winery building with a qvevri cellar, tasting areas and a small restaurant

The estate names three people behind the project: Akaki Avalishvili as managing partner, Merab Dvalishvili as enologist, and Ioseb Mchedlishvili as vigneron.

Vineyards, grapes and method

The estate says it has planted 7 hectares of vineyard, choosing local grape varieties that it describes as having been cultivated in the area by past generations. It attributes the character of its wines partly to the climate and soil of Kartli. While these young vines mature, the estate says it also sources grapes from other established growers in the region to maintain its current range.

The varieties named by the estate are:

• Pinot Noir – used, the estate says, in its qvevri-aged Shavkapinot wine
• Goruli Mtsvane – a Georgian white variety the estate describes as having fresh acidity and floral aromas, used in both classic (European-method) and qvevri wines
• Chinebuli – a Georgian variety the estate uses for its sparkling Zedavela wines
• Shavkapito – a rare Georgian red variety the estate describes as giving light, fruity wines with earthy notes, blended with Pinot Noir in one of its wines
• Merlot and Cabernet Franc – French varieties the estate blends into its rosé

The estate says its winemaking combines both methods: qvevri fermentation and ageing in the traditional Georgian clay vessels, alongside classic European-style winemaking, applied depending on the wine and grape.

The wines

• Shavkapinot – qvevri red, made from Pinot Noir; the estate’s qvevri interpretation of this French variety.
• Zedavela – sparkling wine made from the Chinebuli grape, described by the estate as fresh, with floral and fruity notes.
• Shavkapito/Pinot Noir blend – a red blend combining equal parts Shavkapito and Pinot Noir, named by the estate as one of its wines.
• Rosé – a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, described by the estate as fresh and elegant, with red berry notes and a smooth finish.
• Goruli Mtsvane – white wine made in both a classic style and a qvevri style, from the Goruli Mtsvane grape.

No prices are given for individual wines on the estate’s website at the time of writing.

Visiting

The estate describes dedicated tasting areas on site, along with a qvevri cellar that forms part of the winemaking facility, where it says guests can experience its wines and winemaking process. At the time of writing, the estate’s own website was still under development, with no published tasting hours, tour format or booking details. Travellers wishing to visit are advised to contact the estate directly in advance to confirm opening times, tasting options and whether a reservation is required.

Food and stays

The estate operates a small restaurant on the property, which it describes as cosy, serving traditional Georgian dishes intended to be paired with its own wines. It says the restaurant offers views over the plains of Kartli and the surrounding mountains.

Separately, the estate has announced a “Wine Club” residential project, described on its website as a residential complex within the estate’s landscape, aimed at offering a long-term living option rather than short-stay guest accommodation. Details of this development were limited at the time of writing, and it appears to be a separate offering from the winery visit itself.

Awards

No awards or competition results are stated by the estate at the time of writing.

Location and getting there

Uplistsikhe Estate is located on Zedavela hill in Shida Kartli, near the historic cave city of Uplistsikhe, which lies a short distance east of the town of Gori. The area is roughly 80-85 km west of Tbilisi, a drive of around one to one and a half hours depending on traffic and route. The estate makes a natural stop for travellers combining a wine visit with the cave city of Uplistsikhe itself, and can also be combined with other Shida Kartli sights such as Gori town and the Stalin Museum, or with onward routes toward Borjomi or the Kakheti–Kartli road network. As the estate’s own address details and signage were not fully specified in its published materials, visitors are advised to confirm the exact route with the estate or a local driver before setting out.

Good to know

• Founded in 2019, so this is a young winery rather than a historic producer.
• The estate’s vineyard covers 7 hectares, planted with local Georgian varieties.
• Wines are made using both qvevri and classic European methods, according to the estate.
• Named wines include Shavkapinot, Zedavela, a Shavkapito–Pinot Noir blend, rosé and Goruli Mtsvane.
• A small on-site restaurant serves traditional Georgian food paired with the estate’s wines.
• The estate’s website was still under development at the time of writing, so tasting hours and booking details should be confirmed directly with the estate.
• Located close to the Uplistsikhe cave city, making it easy to combine a wine visit with sightseeing.
• A separate residential “Wine Club” complex is planned on the estate’s grounds.

Questions travellers ask

Is Uplistsikhe Estate close to the Uplistsikhe cave city?

Yes, the estate is named after and located near the historic cave city of Uplistsikhe, in Shida Kartli, which makes it straightforward to combine a wine visit with a visit to the archaeological site.

How far is the winery from Tbilisi?

The estate is in Shida Kartli, roughly 80-85 km from Tbilisi, which typically takes about one to one and a half hours to drive depending on traffic and road conditions.

Does the estate use qvevri winemaking?

Yes, the estate says it ferments and ages some of its wines, such as Shavkapinot and one of its Goruli Mtsvane wines, in traditional qvevri clay vessels, alongside wines made by classic European methods.

Can you eat at Uplistsikhe Estate?

Yes, the estate operates a small restaurant on site, which it describes as serving traditional Georgian dishes designed to be paired with its own wines, with views over the Kartli plains and mountains.

Do you need to book a tasting in advance?

The estate’s website did not publish specific tasting hours or booking procedures at the time of writing, so it is advisable to contact the estate directly in advance to confirm visiting arrangements.

Sources

• Uplistsikhe Estate — official website (uplistsikheestate.com)
• Uplistsikhe Estate: ABOUT
• Uplistsikhe Estate: VINEYARDS MAP
• Uplistsikhe Estate: SPIRITS
• Uplistsikhe Estate: WINE CLUB

Profiled in depth by the GTour desk on 26 October 2026 from the property’s official website; photographs are the property’s own, from its official website, credited under each image. Not sponsored; tell us if something has changed.