Eristavi was born in Kakheti on 1824, Georgia, in the Russian Empire.

He attended a school for the children of the nobility in Tbilisi, graduating in 1845.

Writing in the Georgian language, Eristavi described the life and manners of the Georgian people in poetry, short stories, plays, and ethnographic essays.

Eristavi was admired by Joseph Stalin who dedicated his poem 'Morning' to him.

[1] Eristavi's sister, Barbare Jorjadze is considered Georgia's first feminist and author of the popular cookbook Georgian Cuisine and Tried Housekeeping Notes.