Iora Winery — Wine in Kakheti, Georgia

In short

Iora is a small bio-certified winery and hotel in the village of Ninotsminda, in the Sagarejo municipality of Kakheti, about 30 minutes’ drive from Tbilisi. The winery says it grows indigenous Kakhetian grape varieties on a site locally known as “Nazvrevi,” where remains of an 18th-century wine cellar were found. Iora produces qvevri wines made by the traditional Georgian method, together with two fruit spirits and a chacha, and runs a nine-room hotel with views over a lake and the surrounding vineyards.

The estate and its history

According to the winery, its story begins in 2014, when the founders came across a site in the village of Ninotsminda that locals called “Nazvrevi” (meaning, roughly, former vineyard land). Remains of an 18th-century marani (wine cellar) were found there, which the winery says confirmed that the place had once been an important centre of viticulture. This discovery led directly to the planting of the current vineyard and the decision to build a new winery on the same ground.

• 2014 — the site known as “Nazvrevi” is discovered in Ninotsminda, Sagarejo municipality, along with the remains of an 18th-century wine cellar.
• 2015 — the first hectare of Rkatsiteli is planted.
• 2016 — the vineyard is expanded by a further 1.5 hectares, adding Saperavi, Kakhuri Mtsvane and Kisi.
• 2018 — construction of the marani is completed; the first harvest from the estate’s own vineyard is fermented in qvevri using the traditional Georgian method.

The winery says it chose to follow organic (“bio”) principles from the outset, in order to preserve harmony with the surrounding natural landscape, and that this approach is confirmed each year by international certification.

Vineyards, grapes and method

Iora’s vineyard lies in the Iori river valley near Ninotsminda, at around 700 metres above sea level, within the Kakheti wine region. The winery states that its vines are own-grown and comprise indigenous varieties: Rkatsiteli, Saperavi, Kisi, Kakhuri Mtsvane and Buera, planted across the two phases described above (roughly 2.5 hectares in total).

Winemaking follows the traditional Kakhetian qvevri method, which the winery notes is recognised by UNESCO as an element of intangible cultural heritage. The qvevri used at Iora were made specifically for the winery in Tkemlovani, described by the winery as one of Georgia’s active centres of pottery-making. In total the marani holds 27 qvevri, with a combined capacity of about 30 tons. The cellar building itself is raised above ground level, which the winery says protects the wine from excess humidity and supports its natural development.

Wine remains in qvevri for a minimum of one year before bottling. It is then stored in an on-site enoteka sized for 8,000 bottles, kept at a stable, naturally maintained temperature of 15–17°C throughout the year.

The wines

Iora produces a small range of qvevri and classical-method wines from its own grapes, alongside two fruit spirits and a chacha. Tasting notes below are the winery’s own descriptions.

• Kisi Buera – qvevri blend of Kisi and Buera; amber in colour, with aromas of wildflowers and ripe white fruit, and a velvety, harmonious, balanced character.
• Kisi-Rkatsiteli – qvevri blend of Kisi and Rkatsiteli; amber, with white fruit and dry herb notes, a velvety texture and a complex, balanced character.
• Rkatsiteli (qvevri) – single-variety qvevri wine; amber, with white fruit, raisin and hay tones, dry, balanced, with a long finish.
• Rkatsiteli Classic – Rkatsiteli made by the classical (European) method rather than in qvevri; pale straw in colour, light and elegant, with fresh fruit tones and pleasant acidity.
• Saperavi (qvevri) – single-variety qvevri red; pomegranate-coloured, with cherry and black plum aromas, a velvety structure, gentle tannins and a rich character.
• Tkemlis Araki (plum spirit) – a clear spirit distilled from plums, with natural fruit tones; the winery describes it as clean, soft and balanced, made by combining traditional and modern methods under bio-certified production.
• Iasamnis Araki (lilac spirit) – a clear, aromatic spirit with natural flower tones, described as soft and balanced.
• Chacha – distilled from Rkatsiteli, Kisi and Buera grapes grown in the estate’s bio vineyards; described as strong but with a soft, balanced finish.

Visiting

The winery offers a wine tour and tasting that it says includes a walk through the marani, an explanation of the qvevri winemaking process, a visit to the enoteka, and a guided tasting of Iora’s wines with an introduction to the character of each one. The site notes that the qvevri method itself is recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, and the tasting is framed as an opportunity to see this tradition in practice rather than only to drink the finished wine.

During the harvest period (rtveli), the winery says guests can take part directly in picking and pressing grapes, see the traditional method of distilling chacha, join in making churchkhela, and attend a khinkali-making masterclass. These are described as seasonal activities that vary through the year. The website does not publish fixed visiting hours, tour prices or a standard tasting fee; visits are arranged through direct booking.

Food and stays

Iora operates as a combined winery and hotel. The hotel has nine rooms, which the winery describes as offering views of the lake and garden. Guest facilities include a terrace and an open-air pool, set within the vineyard and lake landscape surrounding the estate. The website does not describe a separate restaurant menu, though harvest-season visits are said to include cooking experiences such as a khinkali masterclass and churchkhela-making alongside the grape harvest activities.

Location and getting there

Iora is located in the village of Ninotsminda, in the Sagarejo municipality of Kakheti, in the valley of the Iori river at around 700 metres above sea level. The winery states that it is about 30 minutes’ drive from Tbilisi, making it accessible as a half-day or full-day trip from the capital. Its position in Sagarejo municipality, on the western edge of the Kakheti wine region, means it can be combined with other stops along the Tbilisi–Kakheti road, such as wineries and towns further along the route toward Telavi, Sighnaghi or the Alazani valley, though specific routing is not detailed on the winery’s own site.

Good to know

• Address: village of Ninotsminda, Sagarejo municipality, Kakheti.
• About 30 minutes’ drive from Tbilisi, according to the winery.
• Vineyard grapes are indigenous Kakhetian varieties: Rkatsiteli, Saperavi, Kisi, Kakhuri Mtsvane and Buera.
• Wines are made by the traditional qvevri method, with one wine (Rkatsiteli Classic) made by the classical European method.
• The marani holds 27 qvevri with a combined capacity of about 30 tons; wine ages in qvevri for a minimum of one year before bottling.
• The on-site enoteka is sized for 8,000 bottles and kept at 15–17°C year-round.
• The hotel has 9 rooms, a terrace and an open-air pool.
• Seasonal harvest (rtveli) activities, including grape picking, chacha distilling, churchkhela-making and a khinkali masterclass, are offered at certain times of year.
• Contact and booking are handled via email (info@iora.ge) or the winery’s social media channels.

Questions travellers ask

How far is Iora Winery from Tbilisi?

The winery states it is about 30 minutes’ drive from Tbilisi, in the village of Ninotsminda, Sagarejo municipality, Kakheti.

What grape varieties does Iora use?

According to the winery, its vineyard is planted with the indigenous Kakhetian varieties Rkatsiteli, Saperavi, Kisi, Kakhuri Mtsvane and Buera.

Are Iora’s wines made in qvevri?

Most of them are. The winery says its wines are fermented and aged in qvevri using the traditional Kakhetian method, with the exception of the Rkatsiteli Classic, which is made by the classical European method.

Can visitors stay overnight at the winery?

Yes. The winery operates a hotel of nine rooms with views of the lake and garden, along with a terrace and an open-air pool.

What does a visit to Iora include?

The winery describes its wine tour as covering a walk through the marani, an explanation of the qvevri winemaking process, a visit to the on-site enoteka, and a guided tasting of its wines. During the harvest season, additional activities such as grape picking, chacha distilling, churchkhela-making and a khinkali masterclass may also be offered.

Sources

• Iora Winery — official website (iora.ge)
• Iora Winery: ისტორია
• Iora Winery: all wines
• Iora Winery: ღვინის ტური
• Iora Winery: დეგუსტაცია
• Iora Winery: რთველი, ქართული გამოცდილება
• Iora Winery: კონტაქტი

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.