Georgian Wine and National Cuisine Tour 9 Days

Meeting in airport and transfer to the hotel in Tbilisi

Tbilisi sightseeing tour – the Old Town and the New City. We begin our tour at the compact area of Old Tbilisi. Starting at the church of Metekhi with stunning view on the old city, walk to the brick domes of sulfur baths and then on to Narikala fortress – overlooking Mtkvari river gorge. We visit salon-shops of ShatoMukhrani and Shuhman’s Wineries in old town. After that we visit the synagogue, and the Sioni and Anchiskhati churches, which mark the end of the Old Town. After we visit the treasury of the National Museum of Georgia, walking along Rustaveli Avenue – the main street in Tbilisi.Before dinner we will enjoy natural wines at “Vino Underground” wine bar where wine-makers will be pleased to introduce their wines & share own stories about wine making (Bio wine). Dinner at the Funicular Restaurant, tastethe best Georgian dishes and wine on the veranda overlooking night Tbilisi.  

Spend the night in Tbilisi.

After breakfastyou will explore centuries-long history of Kakheti wine culture. You will drive to Sighnaghi, a beautiful town founded in the 18th century that overlooks amazing Alazani Valley and spectacular Great Caucasus Mountains. Visiting Bodbe nunnery, where Saint Nino was buried. Wine tasting at wine cellar, which is family winery and you will explore the soul of Kakhetian families. After we will visit wine cellarof company „Kakhetian Traditional Winemaking“- Velistsikhe Veranda, where you will have degustation of Wine in clay pitchers, "Kvevri" made through kakhetian traditional technology. After lunch you willenjoy a visit to the Prince Aleksandre Chavchavadze Tsinandali Museum, its amazing garden, and old wine cellar with unique collection of 16,500 bottles of different wines. After amazing wine day we will drive to Telavi city and check in hotel. 

Overnight in Telavi.

After breakfast we will visit Nekresi Monastery Complex (4-6th centuries). After we will explore ``Khareba Winery`` which is Georgia’s largest wine cellar – 7.7 km of tunnels and galleries that maintain a constant temperature of 12-14 degrees C and 70% relative humidity all year round. It is a perfect storage conditions for wine. Here you will visit a tunnel and have wine degustation. And of course one of our guests beloved place, family winery, where you will have degustation of Wines, chacha and master classes of making Georgian bread, and Mtsvadi. Here you will feel the real Georgian soul with wine cuisine. Drive to Tbilisi.

Drive back to Tbilisi

After breakfast in the morning, we travel to Mtskheta, the old capital of Georgia (3000 years old). We will visit the monastery Jvari (4-6 century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) – UNESCO worlds heritage sites.

Later we continue our wine tour and wine tasting at Chateau Mukhrani, founded in 1878 by the Prince of Mukhrani, heir of the royal family of Georgia. We will visit Ivan Mukhranbatoni’s palace, a forest - park stable and look at the vineyards and visit the ultra-modern winery.

In the evening arrive at Kutaisi, dinner in the local restaurant; you’ll discover the hospitality of Imeretiregion and its amazing cuisine. Overnight in Tskaltubo (a nearby resort, 15 minutes from the city).

The winemaking tradition has been alive and thriving here since the time of the Colchis and uses its own unique technology for winemaking. Imereti wine is known for wines like Gelati (white), Tsitska (white), and other less-known wines. Generally, Imereti wine is not as strong as wines in Kakheti and it is a little more acidic, typically for west Georgian wines.

When you are in Kutaisi you have to visit Bagrat Cathedral - this majestic cathedral is towering over Kutaisi and is visible from any point in the city. This greatest cultural and architecture monument of Georgia was constructed in the 10 – 11 centuries. Gelati Monastery - is a masterpiece of the Golden Age of medieval Georgia, a period of political strength and economic growth between the 11th and 13th centuries. After we will visit the amazing caves of Sataplia. The Sataplia Nature Reserve is a place where you can see very interesting natural sights, walk in nature and enjoy magnificent views. Also, the guests can find footprints of ancient animals – Dinosaurs. This is the place where the footprints of Herbivorous and Raptor dinosaurs of different epochs are found. Sataplia dinosaurs are called “Satapliazaurus” and are different from European dinosaurs. And after some sightseeing, we will return to our wine tastings and visit Baia’s Vineyard, which is oriented to continue a big family tradition of winemaking. You can see here the old wine cellar, full of traditional equipment. You also can see the wine yards grape comes from and of course, you will taste 2 different white wines, red wine, traditional Chaca, and Brandy. 

Overnight in Kutaisi (or Tskaltubo).

After breakfast, we drive to visit one of the most beautiful mountainous regions of Georgia - Racha. The region is famous for its semisweet unique appellation wines. First, we visit Nikortsminda church (11th century). The Cathedral is on the Tentative List for status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Bugeuli village where we taste the famous wine of Racha - Khvanchkara. We’ll visit the Barakoni Winery. Afterward, we visit a local family in Ambrolauri, where you have a master class in Lobiani and Shkmeruli making, and have dinner. Only in Racha is grown the grape, from which the unmatched wine Khvanchkara is made. Only here you can taste real ``rachvelian LORI``- pork ham and listen to Rachvelian Mravalzhamieri.

Overnight in Ambrolauri.

Today we will explore very beautiful region of Georgia - Racha. Rioni valley here turns into a narrow gorge with breathtaking views. On the west, we will see gorgeous rocks of mystic Khvamli mountain. We will enjoy untouched nature, We will visit the village Tvishi. Only here in the micro zone grows grapes Tsolikauri, which produces unsurpassed white semi-sweet wine Tvishi.

We will meet a local winemaker, who will show us his vineyard and explain details about winemaking, here we will make a barbecue in nature and try Tvishi wine.

After driving back to Ambrolauri or staying in Kutaisi

After Breakfast, we drive to Tbilisi, Kutaisi, or Batumi International Airport (which one is convenience for you).