Best wineries to visit in Racha

By Mariam Lomidze, Culture & Events Reporter · 30/10/2026

Selected by the GTour desk from the national register of licensed places. Published October 2026; reviewed yearly. No place pays to appear.

Racha-Lechkhumi is the mountainous wine region northwest of central Georgia, best known for giving the country its only naturally semi-sweet red, Khvanchkara. The wine is made from a blend of two local grapes, Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli, grown on the steep slopes around Ambrolauri and the surrounding villages. Beyond Khvanchkara, the area’s small family cellars and newer wine companies work with the same vineyards, offering travellers a quieter, more rural alternative to the better-known wine routes of Kakheti.

This list was compiled by the GTour desk from the national register of licensed tourism places. Entries were selected on location within the Racha-Lechkhumi wine zone, an established presence in the register, and what each place has to offer a visiting traveller. No payment was accepted for inclusion and the list makes no ratings or rankings; it is a geographic starting point, not an endorsement.

1. Barakoni Winery

Wine Company “Barakoni” is based in the village of Bostana near Ambrolauri, founded in 2015 within the Racha-Lechkhumi viticulture area. It maintains a website for travellers researching the estate ahead of a visit, making it a reasonable first stop for those planning a route through the region’s wine villages.

2. Naberauli Wines

Naberauli Wines is located in the village of Sadmeli and was established in 2018 with the stated aim of positioning Racha-Lechkhumi as a distinct wine-producing area. It has an online presence for visitors wanting background on the project before arranging a stop.

3. Pataridze’s Rachuli

Based in the village of Bugeulo, Pataridze’s Rachuli produces what it describes as biologically pure natural wine from Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes harvested locally. The winery has a website, useful for travellers interested in the natural-wine side of the Khvanchkara tradition.

4. Aleko Sardanashvili's wine cellar

This is a wine cellar in Khvanchkara itself, the village that gives the famous semi-sweet red its name. It is described as a place where visitors can taste and buy local natural wines, suiting travellers who want a direct, small-scale encounter with Khvanchkara at its source.

5. Chateau Dio

Chateau Dio sits in Dzirageuli, close to Ambrolauri, and is listed in the national tourism register for the Racha-Lechkhumi area. Its location places it within easy reach of other wineries clustered around the Ambrolauri valley.

6. Gonadze Vineyards

Gonadze Vineyards, near Vazha-Pshavela Street, was established from 2018 with a wine factory and hotel built on site. The combination of winery and accommodation makes it a practical option for travellers wanting to base themselves in the Khvanchkara wine zone for more than a day visit.

7. Japaridze Winery

Located on Shishinashvili street in the Racha-Lechkhumi region, Japaridze Winery is a small, family-owned operation. The family has traditionally produced wine there for many years, offering visitors a long-running, local alternative to larger commercial producers.

8. Kakhaberis Marani

Kakhaberis Marani is situated in the village of Jvarisa, within the Ambrolauri district. Its setting places it among the village cellars that make up the wider Khvanchkara-producing area, suited to travellers exploring beyond the main town.

9. Margvelidze Winery

Margvelidze Winery is based in the village of Sadmeli, in the same cluster of Racha-Lechkhumi villages as several other listed cellars. It is a further option for travellers routing through the Sadmeli area as part of a wider regional wine tour.

10. Metonidze's winery "Khvanchkara"

Located in the village of Khvanchkara, this winery is presented as a place to experience Georgian hospitality alongside the local wine. Its position in the namesake village makes it relevant for travellers specifically seeking out wine from where Khvanchkara originates.

How to use this list

Treat this list as a map of licensed wineries spread across the villages of Racha-Lechkhumi rather than a ranked guide. Travellers planning a route should check opening arrangements and contact details directly with each winery before visiting, as the register confirms location and standing rather than day-to-day visiting conditions, and cross-reference with the Ambrolauri area page for wider orientation.