Most people visit Château Mukhrani as part of a wine tour and tasting. The award-winning historic estate uses traditional qvevri winemaking methods—a practice protected by UNESCO. The winery offers tours for travelers who drive themselves. Travelers can also book excursions from private tour operators with round-trip transfers from Tbilisi. Many packages include stops in nearby Mtskheta, the former capital of Georgia and one of the oldest cities in the world.
Even if wine is the only thing on your mind, don’t miss entering the swoon-worthy palace with interior design by acclaimed Chilean-American interior designer Juan Pablo Molyneux.
Advanced reservations are recommended for meals and wine tastings. Château Mukhrani hosts private events—check ahead to be sure it's open.
Tastings typically include four wines paired with cheese or other local savory snacks. You can purchase a bottle of anything you like.
Château Mukhrani is about a 40-minute drive from Tbilisi, depending on traffic conditions and your departure destination. The easiest way to get there is by private car or taxi. There are no direct train or bus links, although anyone intent on using public transportation can research marshrutka (shared minibus) options from Tbilisi or Mtskheta—but be prepared for an adventure.
Château Mukhrani is open year-round and keeps regular business hours. Do confirm the schedule before you visit, regardless. Wine tastings are conducted daily, and advanced reservations are recommended. Spring and fall are typically excellent seasons for visiting Georgia, although you can beat summer’s heat with a light white wine and warm up in winter with a bolder red.
Less than 30 minutes by car from Château Mukhrani, Mtskheta is a popular stop for a combined day trip. The picturesque city is nicknamed Little Jerusalem due to its abundance of religious monuments, mostly medieval churches. Mtskheta, once the capital of an ancient Georgian kingdom, is the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Must-see sights include the hilltop Jvari Monastery, Georgian Gothic Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, and the 11th-century Samtavro Monastery.