Winery tour itself was informative and the guide was friendly and knowledgeable. The museum was ok, but not of significant added value.
The tasting and the food afterwards were a huge disappointment (see below), even though there were a few decent wines. To be honest, the Zigu port-like wine and the brandy were best. The ambiance in the garden is pretty nice, but the personnel is not overly friendly nor asking if we need anything.
First of all, my wife and I had to order food before the winery/museum tour started (so they could prepare it during the tour). Afterwards when the tasting started, it appeared that our tasting menu included food as well. So we had way too much food. - Besides, the grilled trout was already on the table when we arrived after the winery tour. We got all the wines (about 10 different ones, including Zigu and brandy) at the same time, really strange. The info about them was given very fast and soon we had a table full of glasses, so you could hardly recognize the different wines anymore. The white/amber wines were getting warm. I wanted to make some notes about the wines, which was impossible as well. In the meantime the food was getting cold, for example the trout, since we only had to listen to the wine info.
Advice for Shumi: Why not serve wine by wine with a bit of information and take more time so you can actually enjoy the wines after each other with the food on the side. Recommend if and how wine should be paired with food. Be clear in advance about food included in the wine tasting menus so you don’t order too much before the museum tour even starts.
Advice for wine lovers that don’t want to get a formulaic/touristic winery tour and tasting session: go to a smaller family winery, there are plenty of them. I actually enjoyed Mildiani much more which is nearby. Down to earth, better wines, much more value for money, more informative specifically...
Read moreI recently had the pleasure of dining at Shumi Winery, and I cannot express how impressed I am with the overall experience. From the moment I walked through the place, it was clear that this place takes hospitality to a whole new level. The wine tasting experience at Shumi was nothing short of extraordinary. The Elena sommelier's knowledge and passion for wine shone through as she guided us through a carefully curated selection of wines. Each sip was an adventure in itself, and it left me with a profound appreciation for the art of winemaking. The culinary journey at Shumi was equally spectacular. Every dish was a masterpiece, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The use of fresh, high-quality ingredients was evident in every bite, and it was clear that the kitchen team takes great pride in their craft. I must also commend the exceptional service we received throughout the evening. The staff were not only attentive but also genuinely enthusiastic about making our experience memorable. Special thanks to Beka (Restaurant Manager), whose presence and support added an extra layer of warmth and professionalism to our visit. Overall, I can confidently say that Shumi is a hidden gem that deserves to be discovered and celebrated. It's a place where wine, food, and service come together to create a truly unforgettable dining experience. I will eagerly recommend Shumi to all my friends and family, and I can't wait to return for another remarkable evening. Thank you, for exceeding my expectations and setting a new standard for excellence in...
Read moreShumi Winery, we visited with the whole family, and it's one of the best experiences we've had in Georgia. The service was outstanding. As soon as we arrived at the parking area, we were warmly greeted and assigned a guide who spoke our language. She conducted a comprehensive tour for us, providing detailed explanations about everything. Be sure to opt for the wine tasting experience – we compared wines made using the traditional Georgian qvevri method with those from the European-style cistern (Georgian and European methods), and it was truly enlightening!
The winery boasts a fantastic restaurant on its premises. The food was incredibly delicious, especially when enjoyed in the fresh air. What impressed us was the abundance of cozy corners. You can pick any spot for lunch or wine tasting. The ambiance is charmingly picturesque, perfect for bloggers and photography enthusiasts, especially after a couple of glasses of wine.
We bought their special sparkling wine to take with us, and when we tried it later in Tbilisi, it was outstanding! Much better than French champagne, I strongly recommend it. And don't miss out on trying the Zigu ice cream – it's excellent. We loved our visit so much that we spent two days there. On the second day, we attended a masterclass on making churchkhela and khachapuri. Everyone found it fascinating, and we took our creations with us. The service was impeccable. The manager arranged the masterclass timing according to our convenience. These are truly my sincere impressions. I wholeheartedly recommend everyone to...
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