Unesco stated that Georgia is the oldest wine making culture in whole world this means that Georgians were the first ones to find the art of wine making and were the first ones to experience the taste of wine. The statement comes from the archeological works carried out in Georgia during which 8000 years old remains of Kvevri, the clay vessels used to age wine, were discovered. Most of the Georgian regions except for the high mountanious ones produce wine. The country is famous for so called amber wine which is produced through the old, unique Georgian method of skin contact and fermented as well as aged in the clay vessel Kvevri which is buried deep in the ground. Combination of these techniques make the color and the taste of the wine is unique. Kakheti is the main wine making region of Georgia with its beautiful Alazani valley which itself is located between the Greater Caucasus and Gombori range. The dry climate, Alazani river, the soil and the proximity to the mountains create perfect micro climate for the vines. Kartli region is not as famous as Kakheti but the wines are equally as good. Grapes from Kartli are have higher acidity which makes them perfect for sparkling wines. Both dry wines and sparkling wines are awesome in this region.
Day 1 - David Gareja & Sighnaghi
David Gareja is a unique place in the Kakheti region. This is a semi arid area with beautiful rainbow mountains and monasteries. The rainbow mountains exist in that area owing to the consistency of the soil which along with the micro climate create beautiful scenery while the numerous monasteries exist in that place owing to an assyrian monk called David who came to preach Christianity in the country and later other missionaries followed his example. Throughout the trip walk will be done in between the rainbow mountains and Lavra monastery can be visited upon request. After the walk and the sightseeing the road will continue to a village not far from Sighnaghi where guests will visit the family owned winery, will see the cellar and have wine tasting as well as tasty lunch. After lunch the road will continue to Sighnaghi, guests will check in at the hotel and in the evening before dinner will have a walk in the town. Dinner and wine tasting will be served in a family owned cellar with the view on Alazani. Overnight in Sighnaghi
Day 2 - Sighnaghi - Kvareli - Telavi
Early in the morning head to Kvareli wine tunnel from Sighnaghi. This is a winery made in a Soviet time tunnel which was dug deep in the Caucasus mountains. The place is unique owing to the fact that the temperature and the humidity isnide the tunnel are constant which create perfect conditions for wine aging and storage. There guests will try wines fermented with both European and Georgian methods, will tasted Chacha the drink made from grape leftovers. Moreover, guests will participate in the masterclasses of Georgian bread baking and Churchkhela (Georgian sweet bar) making. After visiting the tunnel the trip will continue to a family owned winery for one more lunch and wine tasting. After lunch the guests will head to Telavi and upon request can visit Telavi museum or Tsinandali Estate. In the evening guests will be served the dinner and wine in a very beautiful place near Teravi. Overnight in Telavi.
Day 3 - Telavi - Ananuri - Kazbegi
On this day guests will head to the Greater Caucasus mountains to visit beautiful places and try Georgian mountain food. First they will travel from Telavi to Ananuri, visit the fortress and then continue the road to Kazbegi. Before getting to Kazbegi the lunch will be served at a local restaurant where guests will have the opportunity to try Khinkali, Georgian dumpling with spiced minced meat inside, and other food specialties. Kazbegi itself is a very small, beautiful mountain town famous for its view on the mountain peak. In the evening dinner will be served in a local family where guests will try different food specialties.
Day 4 - Kazbegi - Mukhrani - Gori
After breakfast guests will visit Gergeti Trinity Church with its beautiful views. After the sightseeing they will head to Mukhrani village for lunch and wine tasting. After lunch the trip will continue to a beautiuful winery near Gori. Dinner, wine tasting and overnight stay in a small, beautiful hotel located in a beautiful gorge.
Day 5 - Gori - Mtskheta - Tbilisi
In the morning after breakfast guests can visit Uplistsikhe cavetown or Stalin's museum (Stalin was from Gori) upon request or enjoy the slow morning and leave later. From Gori guests will head to Mtskheta so see the beautiful Cathedral, have lunch and head to Tbilisi.
