Nino Meris Wine Selection
Nino Meris Wine Selection is an independent Georgian wine bar and bottle shop at 13 Sioni Street in Old Tbilisi. It is located close to Sioni Cathedral, Shardeni Street, the Tbilisi History Museum and several of the historic centre’s main pedestrian routes.
Nino Meris Wine Selection: Quick Information
- Business type: Georgian wine bar and wine shop
- Address: 13 Sioni Street, Old Tbilisi
- Former name: Millésime – Nino Meris Wine Shop
- High-season hours: Daily, 11:00 AM–1:00 AM
- Low-season hours: Daily, 11:00 AM–12:00 AM
- Telephone: +995 577 33 54 58
- Nearest metro station: Avlabari, followed by approximately 10–15 minutes on foot
- What you can do: Taste Georgian wine, order wine by the glass and purchase bottles
- Best for: Georgian wine beginners, wine enthusiasts, couples, solo travellers and visitors looking for wines from smaller producers
- Reservations: Recommended for organised tastings and groups
The venue closes one hour later during the high season. If you are visiting close to the seasonal change or planning a late-night visit, contact the wine bar to confirm the current schedule.
What Is Nino Meris Wine Selection?
The venue was previously known as Millésime – Nino Meris Wine Shop, and the former name still appears on some maps, travel websites and older reviews. Today, the business operates under the name Nino Meris Wine Selection.
Visitors can stop for a glass of wine, arrange a tasting or purchase bottles to take away. Its small size and personal atmosphere distinguish it from larger commercial wine shops and busy restaurant-style wine bars.
Who Is Nino Meris?
Nino Meris is a Georgian winemaker and the founder of Nino Meris Wine Selection.
According to the official Nino Meris Facebook page, her family’s connection with vineyards goes back to her grandparents and ancestors in the Lagodekhi area of eastern Georgia. Nino produces wine using traditional methods, including fermentation and ageing in qvevri.
The Sioni Street venue presents Nino’s own wine project alongside a wider selection of Georgian wines. Visitors may therefore discover bottles from different producers rather than only one winery.
What Kind of Wine Can You Try?
The available selection may include Georgian white, amber, rosé and red wines produced with both traditional and modern methods. Bottles, vintages and wines offered by the glass can change depending on availability.
Visitors unfamiliar with Georgian wine can ask for recommendations based on:
- Preferred color or wine style
- Dryness and sweetness
- Light or full-bodied character
- Traditional qvevri or European-style production
- Familiar or lesser-known Georgian grape varieties
- Price range
Well-known Georgian varieties include Rkatsiteli, Kisi and Mtsvane for white or amber wines and Saperavi for red wine. The precise selection available during your visit may differ.
Georgian Amber Wine and the Qvevri Method
Nino Meris Wine Selection is a useful place for travelers who want to understand Georgian amber wine and traditional qvevri winemaking.
A qvevri is a large clay vessel used for fermenting, storing and ageing wine. The vessel is usually buried underground, helping maintain a stable temperature during fermentation.
When white grapes remain in contact with their skins, seeds and sometimes stems, the wine develops a deeper amber color, additional tannins and a more structured flavour. This is why Georgian amber wine can taste very different from conventional European-style white wine.
The traditional Georgian qvevri winemaking method was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013.
Wine Tastings at Nino Meris
Wine tastings are available for visitors who want to compare different Georgian wines and learn more about grape varieties, regions and production methods.
The tasting format, number of wines, accompanying food and price may change. Contact the wine bar directly for the current tasting options, especially if you want a structured tasting rather than an informal glass of wine.
Wine accompaniments such as cheese, bread, cured meats and other small snacks may also be available. Ask what is included when arranging your tasting.
Because the venue is small, advance contact is recommended for:
- Groups
- Organized wine tastings
- Visitors who need guaranteed seating
- Busy evenings during the high season
Can You Buy Wine to Take Home?
Yes. Nino Meris Wine Selection operates as a bottle shop as well as a wine bar.
Visitors can taste Georgian wine and then purchase a bottle to take away. The shop is particularly useful for travelers interested in wines from smaller Georgian producers that may not be widely available in supermarkets.
Staff can help select a bottle according to grape variety, region, production method, flavour and price.
If you plan to take wine abroad, check your airline’s baggage requirements and your destination country’s alcohol-import allowance before purchasing several bottles.
Is Nino Meris Wine Selection a Winery?
The venue at 13 Sioni Street is a wine bar, tasting space and bottle shop. It is not a vineyard or a working winery that visitors tour on site.
Nino Meri is a winemaker and the shop represents her wine project, but visitors should expect an intimate urban wine venue in Old Tbilisi rather than a vineyard excursion.
Independent Visit or Guided Wine Experience?
Nino Meris Wine Selection is a good choice when you want to visit independently, choose wine with help from the staff or purchase bottles to take home.
Travelers looking for a pre-arranged educational experience can also consider a guided Georgian Wine Tasting in Tbilisi. This separate experience includes five Georgian wines—white, amber and red styles—accompanied by local cheese and churchkhela.
Choose an independent wine-bar visit if you prefer flexibility. Choose the guided experience if you want a scheduled tasting with a local guide and a structured introduction to Georgian wine culture.
How to Get to Nino Meris Wine Selection
From Freedom Square
Walk downhill along Kote Afkhazi Street towards Meidan Square. Turn towards Sioni Cathedral and continue onto Sioni Street.
The walk normally takes approximately 10–15 minutes.
From the Bridge of Peace
Cross to the Old Tbilisi side and continue along Erekle II Street towards Sioni Cathedral. Nino Meris Wine Selection is only a few minutes away on foot.
By Metro
Avlabari is the nearest metro station. From the station, walk downhill towards Europe Square, cross Metekhi Bridge and continue through the Old Town towards Sioni Cathedral.
The final walk normally takes approximately 10–15 minutes.
Parking is limited in the historic center, so arriving on foot, by metro or by taxi is usually easier than driving.
What to Visit Nearby
Nino Meris Wine Selection can easily be included in an Old Tbilisi walking route. Nearby attractions include:
- Tbilisi Wine Museum – a museum dedicated to Georgia’s long winemaking history
- Sioni Cathedral – one of Tbilisi’s most important historic churches
- Great Synagogue of Tbilisi – an active synagogue and important Georgian-Jewish heritage site
- Bridge of Peace – a modern pedestrian bridge across the Mtkvari River
- Rike Park – the departure point for the cable car to Narikala Hill
- Tbilisi Sulfur Baths – the historic bath district in Abanotubani
A practical wine-focused route is to visit the Tbilisi Wine Museum first, walk past Sioni Cathedral and then stop at Nino Meris Wine Selection for a glass, tasting or bottle.
Is Nino Meris Wine Selection Worth Visiting?
Yes, particularly for visitors who prefer a small and personal wine bar to a large commercial tasting venue.
Its central location makes it easy to visit while exploring Old Tbilisi. Both beginners and experienced wine drinkers can use the opportunity to discover Georgian grape varieties, compare qvevri and European-style wines or choose a bottle to take home.
Nino Meris Wine Selection is best suited to:
- Visitors tasting Georgian wine for the first time
- Travellers interested in amber and qvevri wines
- Wine enthusiasts looking for smaller Georgian producers
- Couples and solo travellers seeking an intimate venue
- Visitors who want to purchase Georgian wine after tasting it
Contact the venue in advance if an organised tasting, group reservation or guaranteed seating is important.
FAQ
Where is Nino Meris Wine Selection?
Nino Meris Wine Selection is located at 13 Sioni Street in Old Tbilisi, close to Sioni Cathedral, Shardeni Street and the Tbilisi Wine Museum.
Is Millésime the same as Nino Meris Wine Selection?
Yes. The venue was formerly called Millésime – Nino Meris Wine Shop. Older travel websites and reviews may still display the previous name.
Is it a wine shop or a wine bar?
It is both. Visitors can drink wine at the venue, arrange a tasting and purchase bottles to take away.
What are the opening hours?
During the high season, Nino Meris Wine Selection is open daily from 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM. During the low season, it is open daily from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM.
Contact the venue if you are visiting around the seasonal change or late at night.
Can visitors book a wine tasting?
Yes, wine tastings are available. The format, number of wines, food accompaniments and prices can change, so contact the venue for current details.
Do I need a reservation?
A reservation may not be required for a casual glass of wine, but advance contact is recommended for structured tastings, groups and guaranteed seating.
Does Nino Meri make wine?
Yes. Nino Meri is a Georgian winemaker who produces wine using traditional methods, including qvevri winemaking.
Does the shop sell only Nino Meris wines?
No. The shop also offers a wider selection of Georgian wines. The available producers, grape varieties and vintages can change.
Can I buy bottles to take home?
Yes. Nino Meris Wine Selection is also a bottle shop, and staff can help visitors choose Georgian wines according to their taste and budget.
Is this a winery visit?
No. The Sioni Street location is an urban wine bar and shop. It represents Nino’s wine project, but it is not a vineyard or working winery tour.
