Wine Tour in Georgia

Day 1: Arrival to Tbilisi

Upon arrival in Tbilisi, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own.

Overnight in Tbilisi (no meals)

 

Day 2: Tbilisi City tour

Breakfast at the hotel, then we start our Tbilisi tour, one of the most modern and cosmopolitan cities in the Caucasus.

We visit Metekhi Church (13th c.) of the Virgin located on a picturesque cliff opposite Abanotubani (“district of bath”), the oldest part of Tbilisi built in the 17th-18th centuries functioning to this day. Next to the baths we see Georgian Orthodox and Armenian churches, and a Jewish synagogue and a Turkish mosque side by side, reflecting Tbilisi's acceptance and tolerance of different religions. We also visit Sameba Cathedral, the third-tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in the world. 

We visit one of the most famous city landmarks – the Bridge of Peace designed by a well-known Italian architect. From here the cable-car will take you to Narikala fortress (4th century) – the symbol of Tbilisi located on top of a hill with the most breathtaking view of the city. Here we visit St. Nikolas Church furnished with frescoed portraits of martyrs and scenes from the Bible.

Later we visit Sioni Church, leading to the bank of the Mtkvari River. Here you discover Shardeni Street with its fashionable cozy cafes and art galleries. Walking we will come across the Anchiskhati church, the oldest church in Tbilisi keeping the miraculous icon of Jesus Christ.  Continue to Rustaveli Avenue, where attractions such as the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Parliament, Rustaveli Theatre, different art galleries and cafes will draw your attention and provide a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Here you will find buildings of Baroque, Moorish, classical and even Stalinist architectural styles, built in the different periods of 19th and 20th centuries.

Afterwards we will have wine tasting and lunch. Later walking on the main avenue - visit the national museum of Tbilisi on Rustaveli Avenue.

In the evening dinner at the restaurant with Georgian traditional dishes.

Tour duration: 6/7 hours

Overnight in Tbilisi (B/L/D)

 

Day 3: Tbilisi – Sighnaghi – Nekresi – Telavi

After breakfast we will drive to Kakheti, the main wine region of Georgia.

Our first stop will be at the cozy Sighnaghi, a small fortified town on the slopes of the Alazani Valley. Each of the banks of the Alazani River has a different climate and is further subdivided into dozens of smaller terroirs. Here we will have wine tasting 3 types of wine, with Georgia homemade vodka – Chacha.

Continue our wine trip to Kvareli to visit another winery and also experience how to make Georgian traditional sweet- “Churchkhela” from grape juice.  After all this, we will have lunch at the restaurant, which is built in the woods. Drive to Nekresi Monastery (4th century, AD) with fascinating views of Alazani Valley.

Drive to the hotel for dinner.

Tour duration: 7/8 hours

Overnight in Telavi or nearest town (B/L/D)

 

Day 4: Telavi – Gremi –  Badiauri – Tbilisi

After breakfast we will drive to visit Gremi constructed in the 16th century by Levan, King of Kakhetians and it became the residence of the royal family. Drive to Tsinandali, historic winery which once belonged to the 19th-century aristocratic poet Alexander Chavchavadze (1786–1846). The Georgia Prince returning after the was of 1812 organized a European-style winery. One could say that modern Georgian wine-making began right here. We will visit the old cellar with its giant collection of vintage wine, taste the local wine and rest in a nearby garden.

After that we will have lunch and drive back to Tbilisi. On the road we will have a stop in Badiauri, to taste local bread and cheese with local family.

In the evening dinner at the restaurant.

Tour duration: 7/8 hours

Overnight in Tbilisi (B/L/D)

 

Day 5. Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Gelati and Bagrati UNESCO Monasteries –  Kutaisi

After breakfast drive to visit the old capital of Georgia – Mtskheta, which is UNESCO site with its two beautiful churches Jvari and Svetitskhoveli.

We will visit village Chardakhi to taste wines of the local wine maker Yago Bitarishvili who is fully dedicated to organic viticulture and wine-making. Here you will have wine tasting and lunch.

Drive to Kutaisi-the second biggest city in Georgia. Visit Gelati Cathedral (UNESCO site), a masterpiece of the medieval Georgian architecture (12th century) with its wonderful mosaics and frescoes adorning the walls of all its churches. Later tour another UNESCO monastery – Bagrati Cathedral (11th century).

Dinner at the restaurant.

Tour duration: 9/10 hours

Overnight in Kutaisi (B/L/D)

 

Day 6. Kutaisi – Uplistsikhe –  Tbilisi

Drive to Uplistsikhe, rock-hewn town along the Silk Road. Built on a high rocky left bank of Mtkvari River, it contains various structures dating from the 2nd ML BC to the Late Middle Ages, and is notable for the unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures.

Wine tasting at a winery in a breathtaking setting with old vineyard terraces and gardens.

Afterwards we drive to Chateau Mukhrani , which is based on the historical tradition of wine-making in Mukhrani region. This is the first and the only true Georgian Royal Chateau, which unites four key components: vineyards, winery, castle and history. In 1512 Mukhrani became the prince’s estate, governed by Bagratuni royal family. Their wines were supplied to the Emperor of Russia, and to this day they are considered among Georgia’s finest. Here we will have a tour of the whole complex , which will end with wine degustation.

And finally, we will have dinner with Georgian traditional dances.

Drive back to Tbilisi.

Tour duration: 8/9 hours

Overnight in Tbilisi (B/L/D)

 

Day 7: Departure

 Transfer toTbilisi International Airport. Departure.