The Kaspi-based winery Merebashvili's Estate has expanded its operations by launching a boutique hotel designed to attract wine-loving tourists. Founded in 2012, the winery entered the market with officially branded wines in 2018 and currently produces six varieties of Shida Kartli wines.
According to founder Shalva Merebashvili, the decision to open the hotel was driven by growing interest in Georgian wine and increasing demand from international tourists.
“Following demand, we started construction of the hotel in April last year. We officially opened it on June 7, and at this stage, it is successfully operating. Now we offer visitors not only a wine tour, but also accommodation,” said Merebashvili.
The project was financed with a mix of public and private funds. Two-thirds of the nearly half-million GEL investment was used for the hotel, with support from Enterprise Georgia’s loan co-financing initiative. The remaining third came from private sources.
The hotel features a unique design tailored for guests interested in wine culture. It offers six rooms, three of which are suited for families or groups of friends, accommodating up to 14 guests in total. Prices per night, including breakfast, range from 180 to 240 GEL.
So far, the hotel has hosted visitors primarily from abroad. “We haven’t had any local customers yet. We have guests from Israel and Germany. Last year alone, around 5,000 people from 40 countries visited the winery, mainly from Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and France. Visitors from Scandinavian countries were especially prominent, and that trend continues,” Merebashvili shared.
He noted that tourism is sensitive to global events, referencing the temporary slowdown caused by the war in Israel. However, the visitor flow quickly rebounded, though most bookings now happen just 2–3 days in advance.
With this new venture, Merebashvili’s Estate is positioning itself not just as a wine producer, but as a destination for immersive wine tourism experiences in Georgia.
