# Western Wine — Imereti and Racha in 3 Days

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- Canonical: https://gtour.ge/tour/imereti-racha-wine-3-days/
- Author: 
- Published: 2026-10-27
- Updated: 2026-10-27
- Language: en
- Russian edition: https://gtour.ge/ru/tour/imereti-racha-wine-3-days/

€840 per person3 days / 2 nightsPrivate · car & English-speaking guideBased on two travellers

Three days from [Kutaisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/kutaisi/)'s cathedrals to Racha's Khvanchkara vineyards, tasting Imereti's Tsitska and Tsolikouri along the Rioni valley.

The route

[Kutaisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/kutaisi/)[Baghdati](https://gtour.ge/georgia/baghdati/)[Ambrolauri](https://gtour.ge/georgia/ambrolauri/)

Why this tour

- —Tastings of Tsitska and Tsolikouri at family-run qvevri cellars around [Baghdati](https://gtour.ge/georgia/baghdati/), a different style from Kakheti's amber wines

- —A night in [Ambrolauri](https://gtour.ge/georgia/ambrolauri/), capital of Racha-Lechkhumi, with direct access to Khvanchkara and Aleksandrouli producers

- —Nikortsminda Cathedral, an 11th-century carved stone church rarely visited by larger tour groups

- —Gelati Monastery and Bagrati Cathedral in [Kutaisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/kutaisi/), both UNESCO World Heritage sites

- —A scenic drive through the Rioni river valley connecting Imereti and Racha

- —Private car and English-speaking driver throughout, no fixed-group schedule

Itinerary

Day 1Depart Tbilisi and drive west through the Rikoti Pass to [Kutaisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/kutaisi/) (about 4 hours). Visit Bagrati Cathedral and the Gelati Monastery complex before checking into your hotel; dinner with Imeretian specialties.

Day 2Drive to [Baghdati](https://gtour.ge/georgia/baghdati/) for tastings of Tsitska and Tsolikouri at a family-run winery, with a stop at the Vani archaeological site if time allows. Continue north along the Rioni river valley into Racha, arriving in [Ambrolauri](https://gtour.ge/georgia/ambrolauri/) by early evening.

Day 3Visit Nikortsminda Cathedral and taste Khvanchkara and Aleksandrouli wines at a Racha cellar. Drive back to [Kutaisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/kutaisi/) or on to Tbilisi (5 to 6 hours), with drop-off at your hotel or the airport.

Included

- ✓ Private transport by sedan or minivan for the full route

- ✓ English-speaking driver

- ✓ 2 nights accommodation, double or twin room, breakfast included

- ✓ Wine tastings at 2 to 3 family-run cellars in Imereti and Racha

- ✓ Entrance fees to Gelati Monastery, Bagrati Cathedral and Nikortsminda Cathedral (checked at booking)

- ✓ All fuel, tolls and parking

- ✓ Support by phone throughout the trip

Not included

- — Lunches and dinners except where noted

- — Wine purchases at the cellars

- — Travel insurance

- — Tips for driver and winery hosts

Good to know

- · Roads in Racha narrow in places and can close after heavy snow; check gtour.ge/road-status before late-autumn or winter dates

- · Best season is April to October; harvest at the Imereti cellars usually runs September into October

- · Wineries are small family operations, so visit times depend on their availability and may shift by an hour or two

- · Bring cash if you want to buy bottles directly from producers, cards are rarely accepted at the cellars

- · Comfortable shoes recommended for uneven cellar floors and short walks at Gelati and Nikortsminda

- · Expect 4 to 6 hours of driving on travel days; this is a touring trip, not a relaxed base stay

Questions

**Can this be combined with Svaneti or Batumi?**
Yes, we can extend the route from [Kutaisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/kutaisi/), which has its own airport and regular flights.

**Is the tour suitable for families with children?**
Yes, tastings are optional for minors and the driver sets a comfortable pace.

**What happens if Racha's roads are closed by snow?**
We adjust the itinerary and confirm road conditions before departure; this is checked at booking.

**Are wine purchases included in the price?**
No, bottles bought at the cellars are paid directly and are not part of the tour price.

Prices are per person for two travelling together, in euros; solo travellers and larger groups are quoted on request. Every departure is private and adjusted to you. Hotels, wineries and restaurants on our routes are [verified by GTour](/verified/).

*Image: Nikortsminda Church in Racha, a stop highlighting the region's medieval architecture. Photo: Yasuhiro Kojima / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0*

*Image: Gelati Monastery near Kutaisi, included among the historic sites on this wine tour. Photo: Kober / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain*

Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi, one of the sites visited on this Imereti tour. · Photo: Alexkom000 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0