Step into a 200-year-old Georgian wine cellar. In Prince Karalashvili’s Tbilisi old town space, you can enjoy a private tasting with five Georgian premium wines, chacha, and a starter cheese board.

I love the personal attention you get while tasting, and I love how the owner talks through winemaking and the cellar’s story along with Georgian traditions. One possible drawback: the exact start time may need a quick confirmation call if your booking details don’t make timing crystal clear.

Key Highlights Worth Your Time

• A truly private, group-only session in a historic old town cellar
• Five Georgian premium wine samples plus Georgian chacha
• A centuries-old cellar setting (about 200 years old) that feels intimate, not touristy
• Cheese board included as a practical starter for tasting
• Explanations focused on you, not on wine-nerd homework—ideal even if you’re not a connoisseur
• Often tailored to preferences, including guidance for people who usually avoid certain styles

Arriving at Vertskhli Street, Old Town Tbilisi

Your tasting starts at 19 Vertskhli St, Tbilisi. It’s an easy anchor point for finding the place, and the area is near public transportation, so you won’t need a car to make it happen.

This is a private experience, so you’re not squeezed into a big group schedule. The tasting runs about 1 hour, so it’s a smart add-on when you want something meaningful without losing an entire evening.

If you like to be relaxed, give yourself a little buffer. Old Town streets can be charming and confusing at the same time. The best strategy: arrive a few minutes early and keep your phone handy in case you need to confirm the exact start.

The 200-Year-Old Cellar Where the Tasting Actually Feels Real

The heart of this experience is the historic wine cellar—around 200 years old—in Tbilisi old town. This matters more than it sounds. A cellar like this doesn’t just provide atmosphere; it shapes how people talk about wine. The owner’s storytelling lands better when you’re standing in the kind of place where wine history isn’t theoretical.

Inside, you’re treated to the vibe of a family cellar. In past experiences, people have described the room as filled with antique, historic pieces tied to the Royal Karalashvili family. That kind of detail changes the tasting from samples to a small cultural visit.

Also, this is not a factory tour with noise and hard sells. It’s a calm room, built for conversation. Even solo travelers tend to appreciate that the space keeps things comfortable rather than performative.

What You Taste: Five Wines, Chacha, and a Georgian Cheese Board

The tasting flight is built around a simple idea: you don’t just learn words, you taste the differences. You’ll sample five different Georgian premium wines. Along the way, you’ll also try Georgian national vodka, chacha, and you’ll start with a Georgian cheese board.

A few things to keep in mind as you plan your expectations:

• Chacha is strong. If you’re cautious with spirits, it’s still worth trying, but pace yourself. The host’s preference-based approach helps here, because they can guide what to pour and how to interpret it.
• You may notice that the tasting can be adjusted to your preferences. One past guest even mentioned they don’t usually drink white wine—then found a favorite among the pours. That’s a good sign the flight isn’t rigid.
• There’s at least one wine mentioned by name in past tastings: Lord’s wine. If it shows up in your lineup, it’s clearly one to look forward to.

If you’re pairing this with dinner plans, think of the tasting as a starter lesson. You’ll leave with impressions—style, aroma, texture—not a full food-and-wine meal. That makes it a great fit before or after a Georgian dinner depending on your timing.

The Real Value: Learning How Winemaking Works in Georgia

The owner-led approach is the point where this experience gets more useful than a standard pour-and-go tasting. You’ll hear about where and how the wine is made, and you’ll also get the story behind the cellar itself.

Then the conversation widens, because in Georgia, wine isn’t just a product—it’s part of tradition and culture. The host explains Georgian history and customs as they relate to the wines you’re drinking. In practice, that means you’re not memorizing a lecture. You’re connecting a taste to a place.

This also helps if you’re not a wine person. One recurring theme from past experiences: the explanation style works even when you’re not chasing technical jargon. If you enjoy asking questions, you’ll likely get better value out of the hour.

You might also meet different English-speaking guides from the team. Names like Anna, Mari, and Angela show up in past feedback for being personable, accurate, and clear. So if you care about how the guide communicates, that’s a good sign.

How Long It Takes and What Pace Feels Like

The tour is listed at about 1 hour, and that timing tends to feel realistic because it’s structured around the tasting flight plus discussion. Past feedback suggests the experience can run close to that window, even when sampling multiple wines—one person noted roughly 40 minutes for tasting a larger set of selections.

Here’s the practical part for you: if you’re the type who likes fast, decisive tastes, you’ll probably be happy. If you’re the type who wants to ask lots of questions, tell the host early. A private setting helps, since they can slow down for your questions without derailing a group.

Also, don’t worry if you’re traveling solo. A private cellar tasting can feel just as comfortable when it’s one-on-one style, not a crowd.

Chosen by Your Preferences, Not by a Script

One of the best surprises in this kind of tour is when the host actually listens. In past experiences, guests specifically praised the way the tasting could be guided based on personal preference—so you’re not stuck with a flight that assumes you like every style.

So how should you use that?

• Tell them upfront what you like (and what you don’t).
• Mention whether you want more wine-style tasting notes or more cultural context.
• Ask them to point out what makes Georgian wines different, not just what grapes they use.

This is a small change that can make the hour feel tailored rather than generic—and it’s a big reason the overall rating is very high.

Price and Value: Is $36.20 Fair for a Private Tasting?

At $36.20 per person, this is positioned as an accessible private experience. The value angle is simple: you’re paying for a private room, a historic setting, and a guide-led tasting that includes five wines, chacha, and a cheese board—not just a single pour.

Where the value really shows is in the hour’s focus. You’re not getting a rushed stop in a tasting room that’s more about sales than learning. Instead, you get time to ask questions and connect tastes to Georgia’s winemaking culture.

If you’re traveling in a group, the private format can feel even better because the tasting isn’t diluted. If you’re solo, it’s still worthwhile if you want the structure and attention without hunting down a wine bar on your own.

Logistics That Matter (Without Getting in the Weeds)

This activity runs daily during the broad posted window (Monday through Sunday). The key point for you is to keep the start time clear in your head. One consideration from past experiences: timing can be vague in some booking flows, so it’s smart to use the phone number provided in your booking details to confirm your exact start time if it isn’t clearly set.

Also note: confirmation is received at booking, and the experience uses a mobile ticket. Service animals are allowed, and the tour says most travelers can participate.

In other words, it’s set up to be straightforward. The only thing you really need to manage is your own timing and showing up at the right meeting point on Vertskhli Street.

Who Should Book This Tasting?

This is a strong match if you want any of the following:

• A private wine experience rather than a big-group bus stop
• A tasting that includes cultural context, not just flavor notes
• Georgian wine and chacha in a setting with real historic weight
• A format that works well even if you’re not a wine expert

It’s especially good for travelers who like conversation. If you enjoy learning through questions, the owner-style storytelling approach tends to make the hour feel personal rather than scheduled.

If you’re the type who only wants to swallow alcohol and move on, you might find the discussion a bit more than you need. But for most people—wine curious or culture curious—it’s a great balance.

Should You Book Prince Karalashvili Wine Cellar?

Yes, I’d book it if you want a compact, high-satisfaction wine-and-culture stop in Tbilisi. You get a 200-year-old cellar setting, a private atmosphere, and a tasting that includes five Georgian wines plus chacha with a cheese board. Add the owner’s explanations about how and why wine matters in Georgia, and you’ve got a solid use of your time.

Before you go, do two simple things:

1) Confirm your exact start time if your booking details don’t feel specific.

2) Tell the host what you like so the tasting can fit your palate.

That’s how you turn a one-hour tasting into one of the more memorable parts of your Tbilisi trip.

FAQ

How long is the private wine tasting?

It lasts about 1 hour.

What’s included in the tasting?

You’ll taste five different Georgian premium wines, Georgian chacha, and enjoy a Georgian cheese board starter.

Is the experience private?

Yes. It’s private, meaning only your group participates.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is 19 Vertskhli St, Tbilisi, Georgia. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. There’s free cancellation, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.