Kakheti - the Land of Wine
Georgia is sometimes referred to as “the cradle of winemaking.” And it is not a coincidence: this delightful radiant country is the oldest cultural center of viticulture, and this is evidenced by various archaeological discoveries. Today we would like to give you a greater insight on the unique process of the wine production in Georgia, as well as tell you about the most famous wines, wineries, and wine shops.
The history of winemaking in Georgia, according to some archaeologists, is about 8000 years old. Due to its diverse and unique microclimate, there are about 500 grape varieties in modern Georgia. On the territory of the country during various excavations were found ancient jugs called “kvevri” with the remnants of grape seeds and skins, indicating that the people who lived in these lands, had knowledge of the cultivation of grape and making wine long before our era. Up to the present days, the culture of wine production by aging in kvevris has been well preserved and is widely used in private and small wineries.
Today, kvevri jugs and the process of winemaking by aging in kvevri is on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO.
The wine for the Georgians is not just a drink. It is a piece of Georgian culture, national identity and heritage. Georgian oral and musical folklore is replete with masterpieces dedicated to the grapevine and wine. According to the chroniclers, Georgia adopted Christianity with a cross made of vine. In Georgia, the “tree of life” is traditionally represented as a grapevine, because without of this wonderful drink no Georgian hearth is possible.
After breakfast, we drive to the picturesque region of Kakheti trough Gombori pass enjoying fantastic views of the area. Kakheti is the main winemaking region of Georgia, where the best and exclusive wines are made with love. Here the wine is produced by special Kakhetian technology.
We visit Alaverdi Monastery, located at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains and founded by the Assyrian monk Joseph Alaverdeli in the VI century. The monastery is well-known for its unique wine cellar and vessels-Qvevris and owes a millennium tradition of winemaking by monks living there.
After an excursion to the monastery complex, we will visit private wine cellar and will taste amazing wines.
Lunch at the Shilda winery.
Telavi - the capital of Kakhetian winery.
Telavi is located in the heart of Kakheti, the historical area of eastern Georgia, in the valleys of the rivers Iori and Alazani. It is not only the region centre. It is the centre of Georgian winemaking which is a cult there.
The city is situated at 490 m above the sea level so the air there is fresh and pure. The landscapes of Telavi and its vicinities are very impressive. You will enjoy the green river valleys, the slopes of the mountains of the Major Caucasus with its peaks and wood-grown slopes and Alpine meadows.
Batonis Tsikhe literally, "the castle of batoni", that is, "the lord", is a 17th–18th century architectural monument in Telavi, the principal city of Georgia's eastern region of Kakheti. The Batonis Tsikhe complex contains surviving sections of the Persianate palace of the kings of Kakheti and a museum with archaeological and ethnographic exhibits, manuscripts, rare publications, and military equipment as well as a fine arts gallery.
There is a biggest tree in Georgia located in the city center of Telavi (Region of Kakheti). It's not only giant, it is more than 900 years old as well.
Overnight in Telavi.
