Wine production in Georgia has 8000 years history. Georgia is a motherland of wine. In Georgia are grown about 500 varieties of grape and produced well-known red and white wines. Georgian way of wine production in ‘Qvevri” (clay tank planted in the ground) is included in UNESCO Intangible world heritage list. Almost every family in the countryside in Kakheti is also winegrower.

Highlights:

• Alaverdi Cathedral (XI c)
• Twin's wine cellar and museum in village Napareuli (optional)
• Gremi Fortress (XVI c)
• Wine tunnels in Kvareli
• Tsinandali Palace and XVII c wine cellar (wine tasting optional)
• Wine factory "Shumi" (visit and wine tatsing optional)
• Telavi – The main city of Kakheti region
• Gombori Pass on the way back to Tbilisi (1620 m)

The Wine Tour starts in the Morning with pick-up at the hotel of your stay in Tbilisi and driving direction to Telavi, Kakheti region - East from Tbilisi, the largest wine producing region in Georgia. The first destination in the wine tour is Alaverdi Cathedral, (20 km Northwest from Telavi). Alaverdi Cathedral is one of the important orthodox monument in Georgia. (XI c, in the tentative list of UNESCO since 2007).
 
Afterward, in the wine tour, visit of Twins wine cellar in village Napareuli. Here our guests can find a very interesting wine museum where you can learn Georgian way of wine production. In the several rooms of the museum you can see how Georgians make Kvevri (huge terracotta tanks), how locals plant kvevri into the ground, and all the steps of wine formation. At the end of the wine tour, the guests can taste two different sorts of wine and Chacha – Georgian analog of grappa. Please note, visit of this property is optional and is not included in the standard wine tour package.
 
Further on, on the way visit of Gremi fortress (XVI c). Till XVI c Gremi was the main city of Kakheti region till XVI C. Nowadays, picturesque location of the fortress with tall bell tower and high walls makes deep impression on guests.
 

Afterwards, the wine tour continues to wine tunnels built under the hills of Great Caucasus mountains. The total length of the tunnels is 8.000 m. Two main tunnels are more than 800 m each. The tunnels are used for aging of wine. Above the wine tunnels, one can find a beautiful restaurant built on the top of the hill with a picturesque view on Alazani Valley and delicious Georgian meals.
 
Then, the root of the wine lays towards Prince Chavchavadze Palace (XIX c) in village Tsinandali with wonderful French park and wine cellar. Here in wine cellar the guests can taste different sort local wines.
 
After visiting of the palace one can add visit of beautiful Chateau Schuchmann in village Kisiskhevi for another wine tasting. Wine lover Herr Burkhard Schuchman from Hamburg has decided to establish a small property in this area for producing Georgian wine. Schuchmann Wines Georgia won in 2008 the award as "THE BEST SMALL ENTERPRISE 2008" and in 2011 "THE BEST MEDIUM ENTERPRISE 2011. Visit of the Chateau is optional and the guests can add this destination for additional costs.
 
At the end of the wine tour visit of Telavi - main city and administrative center of Kakheti region (100 km eastern from Tbilisi). Here you can find the local market in the town, where you can enjoy and buy a wide range of different fruits and vegetables, apples and peaches, grapes and pomegranates, tomatoes and cucumbers.
Finally, through Gombori Pass return to Tbilisi.
Duration of the wine tour to Kakheti is about 8-9 hours.

Duration: 8-10 hours
Driving distance: 330 km
Season: All year around
Itinerary: Wine Tour on Google Maps