Nika Vacheishvili’s Wine Cellar — Wine in Shida Kartli, Georgia

In short

Nika Vacheishvili’s Wine Cellar is a small family winery and guesthouse in the village of Didi Ateni, in the Ateni Gorge of Shida Kartli, a short walk from the Ateni Sioni church. The winery says it stands in one of Georgia’s oldest wine-growing microzones, the one from which the historic Atenuri wine takes its name, and that it continues to make wine from old local varieties grown on terraces that have been cultivated since antiquity. Alongside wine, the estate produces goat’s cheese and honey, and runs a 13-room guesthouse built in a traditional style.

The estate and its history

According to the winery, the vineyards of the Ateni microzone are historically recorded as one of the oldest traditional wine terroirs in Georgia, and the only microzone that gave rise to the wine known as “Atenuri”. The winery says this wine was praised in medieval literature and described there as the “wine of kings”, as “better than others” and as a “noble” wine. It also states that the Ateni microzone was royal property from the tenth century, worked for vineyards on behalf of the central government, and that an inscription on the wall of Ateni Sioni, attributed to King Bagrat IV, records his words “I created this streambed channel”, a reference to the underground irrigation system built in his time to water the gorge.

Ateni Sioni itself, a short walk from the cellar, is a well-known early medieval Georgian Orthodox church in the gorge, noted for its historic frescoes; the winery cites proximity to it as part of the setting of the estate.

The cellar and the small guesthouse next to it are built, the winery says, in old-fashioned traditional style, though fitted with the comforts of modern life. No specific founding date for the present winery is given on the official site.

• 10th century: Ateni microzone recorded as royal property, worked for vineyards for the central government (per the winery’s account)
• 11th century: inscription attributed to King Bagrat IV on Ateni Sioni’s wall refers to the building of the irrigation channel for the gorge
• Medieval period: Atenuri wine praised in literature as the “wine of kings” and a “noble” wine, per the winery
• Present day: Nika Vacheishvili’s Marani operates as a working winery with an attached 13-room guesthouse

Vineyards, grapes and method

The winery says its vineyards lie largely on old stone terraces in Didi Ateni, within the Ateni microzone of Shida Kartli, and are planted mainly with traditional local varieties: Chinuri, Tavkveri, Budeshuri and Atenuri Saperavi. The vines, it adds, are surrounded by fruit orchards, which it says lend additional richness and variety to the grapes and the finished wine.

The winery describes its winemaking as following the traditional “Atenuri” method specific to this place, which it says involves a particular measure of pomace (chacha) left with the must and cooling of the vessels with ice, among other local practices. No hectare figures, qvevri counts or annual volumes are given on the official site.

The wines

• Tsarchinebuli Atenuri (2014 harvest) – white, described by the winery as soft and aromatic, with notes of dried fruit (chiri), a long finish and a lively, sparkling character.
• Skris Chinuri (2014 harvest) – white, made from Chinuri, described as having pronounced tones, a long taste and a soft finish.
• Tavkveri (2014 harvest) – red, described as characterful, with a sharp yet playful taste.
• Mkhiaruli Khidistavuri – rosé and sparkling, described as energetic in character with a hint of sweet dried fruit, recommended by the winery for the dessert table.

The winery’s homepage also lists two bottles by name and price: Tavkveri and “Koshkebis Chinuri”, each priced at GEL 40.00. No further tasting notes are given for these listings beyond the ones above.

Visiting

The official site does not publish fixed tasting-room hours, tour formats or tasting prices. Visitors are directed to contact the winery directly by phone or email to arrange a visit to the cellar and vineyards in Didi Ateni.

Food and stays

The estate runs a small guesthouse of 13 rooms next to the winery, described as traditionally built but equipped with modern comforts. Two room types are listed on the official site:

• Double room with mountain view, first floor – 13 m², two beds, sleeps two adults, from GEL 180 per night. Amenities listed include Wi-Fi, shower, heating, hairdryer, bathroom toiletries, garden view, terrace, orthopaedic mattress, anti-allergy bedding and pillows, slippers, soap, shampoo and shower gel, a mosquito net and bottled water.
• Double room with mountain view, second floor – 18 m², two beds, sleeps two adults, from GEL 180 per night, with the same amenities as above plus tea/coffee-making facilities.

Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out by 12:00. The winery says all food products offered to guests, beyond wine, come from its own local farming, including goat’s cheese and honey. No separate restaurant is described on the site; dining appears to be part of the guesthouse offering rather than a standalone facility.

Awards

No awards or competition results are stated on the official website.

Location and getting there

The address given is Gori Municipality, village of Didi Ateni, postal code 1402, Shida Kartli region. The winery describes itself as a short walk, around ten minutes, from the Ateni Sioni church in the Ateni Gorge, and close to the town of Gori. Gori itself lies roughly 80 km west of Tbilisi, a drive of about an hour to an hour and a half depending on traffic and route, making the winery a feasible stop on a day trip from the capital that also takes in Gori’s old town, Stalin-era sites, and Uplistsikhe cave town, all in the same general area of Shida Kartli.

Good to know

• Address: Gori Municipality, village of Didi Ateni, 1402, Shida Kartli
• Phone and email: 577 270 032 / atenuriwine@gmail.com
• About ten minutes on foot from Ateni Sioni church
• 13-room guesthouse attached to the winery, rooms from GEL 180 per night
• Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00
• Wines made from local varieties Chinuri, Tavkveri, Budeshuri and Atenuri Saperavi
• Estate also produces goat’s cheese and honey from its own farming
• No tasting hours, tour prices or booking process published online; contact directly to arrange a visit

Questions travellers ask

How far is Nika Vacheishvili’s Wine Cellar from Tbilisi?

The winery is in Didi Ateni, Gori Municipality, Shida Kartli. Gori is roughly 80 km from Tbilisi, a drive of around an hour to an hour and a half, and the winery itself is a further short distance into the Ateni Gorge, near Ateni Sioni church.

Can I combine a visit with Ateni Sioni church?

Yes. The winery states it is about a ten-minute walk from Ateni Sioni, a historic church in the Ateni Gorge, making the two easy to combine on the same outing.

Does the winery offer tastings and cellar tours?

The official website does not list set tasting hours, a tour programme or tasting prices. Prospective visitors are advised to contact the winery directly by phone or email to arrange a visit.

Can I stay overnight at the winery?

Yes. The estate operates an attached 13-room guesthouse with two listed double-room types with mountain views, both from GEL 180 per night, check-in from 14:00 and check-out by 12:00.

What grape varieties and wine styles does the winery make?

The winery works with traditional local varieties, namely Chinuri, Tavkveri, Budeshuri and Atenuri Saperavi, producing white, red and rosé/sparkling wines including Tsarchinebuli Atenuri, Skris Chinuri, Tavkveri and the rosé Mkhiaruli Khidistavuri.

Sources

• Nika Vacheishvili's Wine Cellar — official website (atenuri.ge)
• Nika Vacheishvili's Wine Cellar: ჩვენ შესახებ
• Nika Vacheishvili's Wine Cellar: ღვინო ატენური
• Nika Vacheishvili's Wine Cellar: ჩვენი ღვინოები
• Nika Vacheishvili's Wine Cellar: სასტუმროს ნომრები
• Nika Vacheishvili's Wine Cellar: კონტაქტი
• Nika Vacheishvili's Wine Cellar: დეტალები

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.