Kakheti is a region in eastern Georgia, famous for its winemaking. On its territory is the famous Alazani Valley, and several dozen wineries operate. Even if you find yourself here for a couple of days, you can get a lot of unforgettable impressions.
Sights of Kakheti
Kakheti in Georgia is not only a great place for leisurely spending time tasting local wine, but also an area for active recreation. Travelers can enjoy a variety of excursions, walks in national parks, mountain hikes and other adventures. And, if you find yourself in Kakheti in September, you will be able to take part in the popular Rtveli grape harvest festival. The largest cities of Kakheti are its capital Telavi and Sighnaghi. All other towns in the region are tiny, there are also villages and towns.
Reference! There are several ways to get to Kakheti. Excursion bus tours are often organized from Tbilisi to the region. usually takes 1.5 hours. It’s even more convenient to get here and see the sights by your own car, because they are located close to each other.
A detailed map of Kakheti in Russian or a car navigator will help you find tourist sites. Public transport is rare and it is not very convenient to get directly to the place. A good option is to rent a car with a driver, who will be happy to tell in detail the history of all Kakheti sights.
Popular tourist sites on the map of Kakheti:
- Monasteries: Bodbe, Shuamta, Ikalto, Nekresi, David Gareji;
- Cities: Sighnaghi, Telavi, Kvareli;
- Kindzmarauli plant;
- Tsinandali village;
- Hotel Chateau Mere;
- Nato Vachnadze Museum;
- Numisi Wine Museums;
- Mud volcanoes of Akhtala;
- Lakes: “Lopota” and “Kvareli”;
- Natural parks “Vashlovani” and “Lagodekhi”.
All Kakheti attractions are usually marked in detail on a map of the region, presented in Russian. Eastern Georgia is famous for its monasteries, temples, castles and natural landscapes.
This Georgian hotel is unusual in that it is located in a castle and offers picturesque views of the Alazani Valley. The hotel owners are Georgians and are engaged in winemaking. In Chateau Mere you can taste delicious national cuisine and drink quality wine. Reviews from tourists indicate that the food in the hotel restaurant is not only tasty, but also unusual.
New Shuamta is an ancient monastery that is still active today, but is almost always open to the public. Nearby is Old Shuamta, which includes 3 ancient temples. In character and architecture, these two monasteries are very different from each other.
Telavi
The city is the capital of the region. It also became famous for the fact that episodes of the legendary Soviet film “Mimino” were filmed there. Interesting sites include the Batonis-tsikhe Fortress, an ancient plane tree that is already 800 years old, Irakli II Avenue, Nadikvari Park, the local market and the Royal Palace.
This Kakheti village is the birthplace of Georgian industrial winemaking. Its attractions are the Shumi Winery and the Chavchavadze Estate.
The country's famous winery produces not only wine, but also cognac, port and chacha. More than 200 hundred varieties of grapes from which these drinks are made are planted in front of the wine house. The Shumi plant is today one of the main suppliers of quality Georgian drinks. Tourists are offered an excursion including a visit to the factory museum, wine storage and tasting. Not far from the plant is the house-museum of its founder A. Chavchavadze.
Estate of Princes Chavchavadze
The guides say that Pushkin and Griboedov visited this family estate, and that the famous play “Woe from Wit” was shown for the first time. Alexander Chavchavadze is a poet, military and public figure who left a big mark on Georgian history and culture.
This small ancient monastery of the 6th century is one of the first in the country. He also became famous for the fact that the famous Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli studied at the academy under him. The monastery has three churches, its architecture is quite simple.
The cathedral near Telavi is the main temple of the region and the second highest in the country (50 meters). Inside it you can see wall paintings dating back to the 15th century. There are high fortress walls around the cathedral. Next to it and the active monastery are the burial places of the Kakheti kings.
This castle is also called the “dead city”. Once upon a time it was the center of the Kakheti kingdom and the famous Silk Road passed through it. Today on its territory you can see a fortress, a temple and a tower, and there is a museum in the castle. The road to Gremi passes through a cypress alley. On the territory of the castle, tourists will be interested in the Archangel Temple, the ruins of the Royal Fortress, and the tomb of King Levan. Here you can see beautiful views of the Alazani Valley.
The picturesque Kakheti lake Lopota of artificial origin. It became famous not only for its beauty, but also for the fact that one of the most expensive local resorts is located on its banks. But those not staying at the hotel are unlikely to be able to get to the lake: a barrier and security guards serve as a barrier to travelers.
The small 4th century monastery is located on the mountain, so its observation decks offer stunning views of the Alazani Valley. Here is the Temple of the Blessed Virgin, inside which you can admire ancient frescoes. During its history, Nekresi suffered more than once from enemy raids, so it is surrounded by ruins.
Reference! It is not possible to approach the monastery by car. You will have to leave the car at the foot of the hill and walk uphill for 1.5 km. It is more convenient to come to Nekresi by bus, the fare costs 1 GEL, and transport runs every 20 minutes.
Kvareli
In the Kakheti city of Kvareli and its surroundings, tourist attractions are the Kvareli fortress, the Khareba wine tunnel, the Chavchavadze House, the Kindzmarauli winery, the Kvareli and Ilya lakes and the Graneli winery, a cognac factory in the village of Eniseli.
Sighnaghi
This is the famous city of love or, as it is also called, “Italy in Georgia”. This is how the city was nicknamed for its 24-hour registry office and the story of “a million scarlet roses” presented by the famous artist Niko Pirosmani to actress Margarita. It is about them that Alla Pugacheva sings.
The city is built on a mountain from which stunning views of the valley are visible. There is another attraction here - the ancient fortress wall. Another interesting place is the Pheasant's Tears wine cellar, owned by the American artist Wooderman. In Sighnaghi there are small cobbled streets, 2-3-storey houses with red tile roofs, there are beautiful parks, squares, the Church of St. Georgia, the Bodbe Monastery.
Bodbe Monastery
The Bodbe convent is a holy place for Georgian Christians, because here, in the Church of St. Georgia, the relics of St. Nino rest. Construction is ending. There are many flowers on the territory, and the Alazani Valley can be seen below. Those who wish are offered to plunge into the cold water of the local holy spring or drink water from it.
On the border with Azerbaijan there is a complex consisting of several cave monasteries from the 6th century. It bears the name of the Christian saint David Gareji. Women often come here to pray for a long-awaited child. The surrounding area is very impressive: rocks and desert steppes. It is also unusual that one part of the complex is located in Georgia, and the other in Azerbaijan. The most visited by tourists are the Lavra of David and the Tetri-Udabno Monastery. Usually you get fantastically beautiful photos.
Just 20 km from Sighnaghi, travelers will be able to admire an unusual natural phenomenon - mud volcanoes. Akhtala is home to a popular mud clinic in Georgia. There are four small volcanoes. You can take a healing mud bath by immersing yourself in a mud puddle, or you can collect mud and smear it on your body.
Mirzaani village
About 20 km from Sighnaghi there is a house that Niko Pirosmani built for his sister. The famous artist was born in Kakheti, his works tell about local nature, traditional holidays and feasts. There is a museum next to the house, where paintings by famous Georgian artists are displayed.
Kakheti is rightfully one of the most famous regions of Georgia. This is the wine region, the city of love Sighnaghi, and many ancient churches and temples. In almost every corner of this region you can find something interesting and unique. In this article we tried to briefly talk about the main attractions of Kakheti by combining them into a route. It will be especially useful for those traveling around Georgia in their own car or for those who are planning to travel.
Kakheti on the map of Georgia
Let's start with where this region is located. This region, by Georgian standards, is quite large and spreads out to the east of Tbilisi. In the north it borders with Russia, and in the south it cuts into Azerbaijan like a wedge. The Alazani Valley, famous for its vineyards and beautiful views of the Caucasus Mountains, lies just beyond Sighnaghi.
Sights of Kakheti
A region in the east famous for its mountains, valleys and wine. This region is geographically vast and rich in attractions. It will take several weeks to get to know it in detail, but since travelers are most often limited in time, this route is designed for two to three days, depending on the transport and the degree of immersion in the culture. It is more convenient to leave the capital of Georgia and return there, the route is looped. When planning a trip, you need to allow about an hour for the Tbilisi-Kakheti road, the distance between them is about 50 km. We are heading for Sagarejo.
Ninotsminda Monastery
The Ninotsminda Temple is one of the first in Georgia, and accordingly, one of the oldest. It was erected in the 6th century and did not survive until the present day; it collapsed in the mid-19th century. The altar part of the cathedral and the eastern wall remained intact. In some places frescoes from the 16th century have been preserved. Now the ruins of the temple are located on the territory of an active convent, surrounded by a powerful stone wall.
Not far from the city, two kilometers away, is the Bodbe Monastery. From Sighnaghi it can be reached on foot. This place is famous for the fact that Saint Nino spent her last years here, and here she died and was buried. A temple was erected over her grave (it has not survived to this day), and over time a monastery arose next to it. Now on the site of the lost church stands St. George's Cathedral. Immediately behind it there is an observation deck with views of the Alazani Valley and the path to the holy springs begins. Visiting the monastery is free. Opening hours from 10.00 to 19.00 
Wine Museum in Velistsikhe
This location is for wine lovers.
Kakheti is famous for its wines. Therefore, being in this region and not visiting a single wine production is a big omission. There are many wineries and shops here. You can arrange a separate tour for them for several days. Within this route, the best of them are collected based on reviews, popularity, range of wines and their cost. The Numisi Wine Museum is one of them.
This interesting project is located in the city center in a large stone house. There is a gallery with household items and many antique things for making wine, as well as an old marani with qvevri dug into the floor. Nearby there is a cellar from the 16th-17th centuries, where meat was previously stored. The only wines here are saperavi and rkatsiteli (dry and semi-dry), but of good quality, from qvevri.
A ticket to the museum costs about 7 lari lari (2.5 dollars), tasting is included.
Lake Kvareli. Observation deck of the Kvareli Lake Resort
If you want beautiful photos of the Alazani Valley, you can stop by the hotel Kvareli Lake Resort near Lake Kvareli. There is an observation deck with gorgeous views of the valley and lake, and you can also relax a bit and swim. Judging by the reviews, the hotel has a good restaurant, where you can have a tasty and inexpensive lunch before heading onward.
Kvareli
People come to this city to visit the following attractions:
- Kvareli fortress, 18th century.
- Cathedral of John the Baptist, late 19th century.
- House-museum of Ilya Chavchavadze. His house is only one floor, but with a large marani and a garden. A museum in an avant-garde style is built nearby. Opening hours from 10.00 to 17.00. A ticket costs 2 lari (75 cents), students 1 lari (37 cents), groups of people 5 lari (just under 2 dollars).
- Kindzmarauli Corporation is another winery. Its opening hours are from 9.00 to 18.00. Tours and tastings are free.
How to get to Kvareli from Tbilisi:
- by minibus or bus from Samgori metro station (one-way ticket costs 8 lari or 3 dollars);
- by car;
- along with the excursion.
Khareba
This place will be of interest not only to wine lovers. This winery is not quite ordinary. It is located in tunnels underground and lake. Their length exceeds 7 km.
A unique tunnel in the granite mass was built in 1950 by our Metrostroy. Now it is owned by a large winemaking company, Khareba, which has been producing various types of wines and grape oil since 2004. About 25 thousand bottles of wine are stored here at the same time.
The plant area is large, green and very well-groomed. There is also a restaurant here, from the upper floors of which there is a stunning view of the Alazani Valley.
How to get there – the Khareba winery is located 2.5 km from Kvareli. It's easy to get to by car. Without a car, you can get from Tbilisi to Kvareli by minibus. And from there you can walk. Address - Meurneoba District, 383320 Kvareli, Kakheti, Georgia.
Opening hours from 9.00 to 18.00.
Ticket options and prices:
- Excursion only - 5 lari ($2.6).
- Excursion and tasting of two types of European wines (white and red) - 12 lari ($4.5).
- Excursion and tasting of two types of wines (white and red) of the traditional Kakheti type - 15 lari ($5.6).
- Excursion, tasting of wine (4 types) and chacha, baking Kakheti bread, preparing churchkhela - 40 lari ($15).
- Excursion, tasting of 6 types of wine, chacha, preparation of bread and churchkhela, shish kebab - 70 lari ($25).
If you want to try real Georgian wine, the legendary and oldest orange wine in the world, the famous and unique kindzmarauli, then I highly recommend going on a tour with a real expert on Georgian wine - Ekaterina. Going on an excursion with her Secrets of winemaking: tour of Kakheti you will discover a huge and unknown world!
Winery "Graneli"
Located next to the previous tunnel. The Graneli company was founded in the nineties and is now one of the largest in Georgia. Several varieties of wine, chacha and cognac are produced here. A sightseeing tour of the factory with tasting (7 varieties of wine, chacha and cognac) is free, subject to the purchase of wine. Without purchase it will cost 10 lari (approximately 3 dollars 75 cents).
How to find it – 2.5 km from the center of Kvareli, next to the Khareba wineries.
Opening hours are from 9.00 to 18.00, but in order to catch a full excursion it is better to arrive before 16.00.
Not far from Kvareli, high on the mountain, there is a functioning 6th century Nekresi monastery. Once there was a city here, but now only a few buildings of the temple complex remain:
- Temple of the Blessed Virgin from the 8th century;
- part of the bishop's episcopal palace with a 15th-century tower attached to it (now an outbuilding);
- small temple from the 4th century;
- square church from the 9th century.
Nekresi Monastery is a very quiet and peaceful place. Its terraces offer panoramic views of the valley.
How to get there – you need to drive 7 km from Kvareli towards Gremi. If you are by car, turn right; if by minibus, you need to get out and walk 2-3 kilometers to the monastery checkpoint. There is a parking lot here for cars, you can’t go any further. Options - either walk up the mountain, or take a bus for 1 lari ($0.37). The ascent on foot is very difficult, but along the way from the observation deck you can see the remains of the foundations of the ancient city of Nekresi.
Entrance to the monastery itself is free.
Gremi Castle
Gremi Castle is the visiting card of Kakheti. It was built at the beginning of the 16th century and was the capital of the Kakheti kingdom and the residence of the kings. But 100 years later the city was destroyed. Only the Archangel Church and the bell tower survived. They have survived to this day, surrounded by a low wall. Inside the temple you can see wall paintings from the 16th century. But, looking at them, one cannot help but notice the manifestations of vandalism - some of the drawings were damaged by the spears of Persian invaders, and some - by Russian soldiers in the mid and late 19th century.
There is a museum next to the church. A ticket to it costs 3 lari (a little more than 1 dollar). This price includes a visit to the tower, which offers excellent views of the mountains and valleys. The museum is closed on Mondays.
How to get there – Gremi is located right next to the road, 20 km from Telavi and 16 km from Kvareli. You can get here either by car or by minibus from the above cities.
The majestic Alaverdi is the cathedral of Kakheti in the first half of the 11th century. It has a second name - St. George's Cathedral - and is part of the monastery complex. This is the main and very revered temple in these parts. Its height is about 50 m - the second highest in Georgia. Alaverdi Cathedral was built at the beginning of the 11th century. Repeatedly suffered from earthquakes and seizures, but it was always restored. Now it is a functioning monastery, which includes the temple itself, residential buildings and a wine storage facility, surrounded by a stone wall. The main territory is closed to tourists; you can only enter the Cathedral, inside of which frescoes from different eras have been preserved.
In the summer months, when clear, cloudless weather sets in, Alaverdi looks especially proud and majestic against the backdrop of the Kakheti Mountains.
How to get there – the cathedral is located 9 km from the Telavi-Akhmeta highway, 20 km from Telavi and 17 km from Akhmeta. It's easy to get here by car. By public transport you can get from Telavi by minibus or taxi.
Ikalto is one of the first monasteries in Georgia, founded in the mid-6th century. But almost nothing remains from those times. The surviving buildings are of a later construction - no earlier than the 8th century. Now here you can see the remains of three churches (the Temple of the Holy Spirit, the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary), outbuildings and the ruins of the Academy.
How to get there:
- By car 10 km from Telavi towards Akhmeta to Ikalto, from Alaverdi 13 km.
- You can take a minibus from Telavi to the village of Ikalto for 0.5 lari (less than 20 cents), then walk to the monastery.
New and old Shuamta
From Ikalto it’s only a couple of kilometers to the Shuamta temples, but through gorges and a river. But it’s safer to get there using the traditional detour route.
Old Shuamta is a monastery complex in the Gombori Mountains. The exact date of construction is not known, approximately 4-6 centuries. It was abandoned in the 16th century. To this day, three temples have survived here - a basilica from the 5th century, a large cross-domed temple and a small domed temple, both from the 6th century.
An interesting fact is that the name “shuamta” was borrowed by Soviet winemakers in the 19th century for dry white wine. For its production, special white grapes from Kakheti and ancient Kakheti technology were used - the wine was infused with pulp. Now this type of wine exists only in wine literature. Not a single winery has yet mastered its preparation.
New Shuamta is a monastery not far from Old Shuamta, built in the 16th century by Queen Tinatin, who was buried here. It is now a working convent and is privately owned, so entry is by permission only. If the gate is closed, you need to ring the bell and it will be opened for you. You can only visit the temple, in which frescoes from the 16th and 17th centuries have been preserved, in particular with the image of Tinatin.
Opening hours: from 9.00 to 19.00.
How to get there – on the Telavi highway, 7 km from Telavi, there is a large sign for Shuamta, it’s difficult to drive past. If you drive from Tbilisi, the turn will be 5.5 kilometers from the bridge over Turdo. By public transport you can get to the desired sign on the Telavi-Tbilisi minibus, which goes through the Gombori ridge (this point needs to be clarified at the bus station, since not all buses go exactly along the desired route). You will have to walk from the turn.
Excursions to Kakheti from Tbilisi
For those who are not ready for an independent and multi-day trip around Kakheti, the best way to get to know this region would be excursions. Thanks to them, you can visit the most interesting places in one day. And of course, a trip with a guide is an opportunity to get to know the history of the region better.
The simplest and cheapest option is group excursion to Kakheti .
For those who want to immerse themselves in the atmosphere and traditions of Kakheti as much as possible and spend an unforgettable day, I highly recommend the Dana tour The magic of Kakheti or Kakheti - the cradle of the vine from Lera. Lera has a great bonus on the excursion - a real Kakheti feast in a private house.
It is better to come here at the end of September or October to attend the main holiday of this region - harvesting and making wine. But at any other time of the year, these picturesque places, ancient monasteries and temples will certainly not leave you indifferent!
What is worth visiting and other useful information for tourists:
Kakheti on clearly visible below - it is painted in a soft burgundy color and outlined with a red line, which marks the boundaries of the region. The detailed map is presented in Russian and is interactive, indicating all attractions, cities and towns.
To increase or decrease the scale, use the “+” and “-” buttons in the lower right corner. By left-clicking on the image and holding down the key, you can move the viewing area in different directions. To switch to satellite mode, use the button in the lower left corner.
Finding inexpensive housing in Georgia
Tourist card
The names of all the attractions of Kakheti that can be seen there are marked in Russian: monasteries, Christian temples and churches, resorts and campsites, fortresses and castles - their designations are drawn at the bottom of the image.
All images are clickable. To enlarge a picture to its maximum size, left-click on it and then click on the icon below.
The last option is the most detailed of all presented. Settlements and interesting tourist places abundantly strewn the entire surface of this Georgian region, although they are signed in English, but everything is intuitive and will not be difficult for anyone to understand.
Some people go to Kakheti to get acquainted with vineyards and taste wine, others to look at the house that Niko Pirosmani built, and I went to the Kakheti town to fall in love and get married. “It’s not for nothing that they call it the “city of love”!” - I thought as the minibus left and headed east, towards the fertile Alazani Valley.
How to get there
The Kakheti region is located near the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, and is therefore accessible to travelers throughout the year. Getting to Kakheti is easy, and there are many options, varying in both price and time. The choice, as always, is up to you.
By plane
The closest airport to Kakheti is named after Shota Rustaveli and is located in Tbilisi, about 100 kilometers from the two main cities of the region - Sighnaghi and Telavi.
Via Tbilisi
Upon arrival in Tbilisi, you can stay in the city and then go to Kakheti by ground transport: by car or minibus. I will talk more about this in the sections below.
Additionally, consider flying to Baku.
Via Baku
This is a good option to see Baku and take a ride to the coveted Kakheti, although you will have to travel 500 kilometers from Heydar Aliyev Airport.
Kakheti - holidays with children
In my opinion, Kakheti is not the best place to travel with a child. I'll explain why:
But in general, Kakheti is a wine region with a predominantly rural population without any children's entertainment, so go here with a small child I do not advise: he will probably be bored, because there are no amusement parks, attractions or zoos here.
Although Georgia has an excellent attitude towards children (both our own and strangers), and if you find yourself here with a child, everyone will cuddle him. Another question is how interested he will be here?
Kakheti is wine, Alazani Valley, castles and monasteries.
I will write in more detail about some places of the trip, but first, about the entire route as a whole.
Two-day route around Kakheti
In September-October, driving around Kakheti is a special pleasure; you can see truckloads of grapes everywhere.
The spectacle is truly fascinating)
We rode for 2 days, driving from Tbilisi to Sighnaghi, from there to Telavi and through the Gombori pass back to Tbilisi.
Great option. The quality of the road is quite good, the views are beautiful, along the way you can visit almost all the monasteries, castles, cellars and wineries, and even climb to the top of the mountain.
We did not visit all the places that are written about in guidebooks. I wanted to quickly feel the atmosphere of Kakheti, drink wine near the Alazani Valley and just relax)
Therefore, we visited 2 monasteries, 2 castles and 1 winery. It was enough for us)
Gremi Castle
A nice place, one of the most popular in Kakheti.
Beautiful temple complex, beautiful views of the valley. We all liked it)
Nekresi Monastery
A beautiful ancient monastery (4th-6th century) Visako-Visako in the mountains above the Alazani Valley.
There was once a city on this site. It (and the monastery) constantly suffered from various invasions and there is a legend that during one of them the monks locked a herd of pigs inside the temple - and the Muslims did not enter there)
Now on holidays the monastery prepares pork shish kebab)
Bodbe Monastery
A very famous, holy and revered place by Georgians. Located a couple of kilometers from Sighnaghi.
Here is the tomb of St. Nino, who played an important role in the spread of Christianity.
There is also a spring on the territory. Moreover, it is even marked with signs. But if you don’t have a lot of free time, I don’t recommend going there. We walked for quite a long time, but never got there)
The path is well-equipped, in the shade of trees and with benches, but it really takes a lot of time.
Sighnaghi
Sighnaghi is called the city of love. The authorities have invested heavily in restoring the city; combined with the views of the Alazani Valley, it really looks amazing.
Telavi
Telavi is the capital of the Kakheti region. The city is small and cozy.
We stayed here for the night in a very unusual and soulful guesthouse.
Most of the major wineries are located in the area.
And small ones too, by the way)
Winery Schuchmann
The owners of the guesthouse advised us to visit this plant.
We planned to see something larger and more famous, but we had never heard anything about Schuchman before.
This is a factory, a restaurant, a hotel, and a wine spa - all in one.
This is the view from the restaurant. An ideal place for tasting, I think)
We were given a short tour, allowed to taste wine, and allowed to walk around the territory. It was wonderful)
Unknown castle
Almost at the very beginning of the journey from Tbilisi to Sighnaghi, we noticed a castle near the road.
I don’t know either the name or the coordinates of the place where it is located. We just saw it, stopped and went to explore.
Fields, grapes, classic)
We walked to the castle and back in company with a local dog. Honestly, he went to all the places we went too.
The fortress looks very cool, but unfortunately, it has been completely restored, and purely decoratively - you can’t climb anywhere. Just watch.
Gombori
The road from Telavi to Tbilisi, which we decided to take, was also advised to us by the hosts of the guest house.
They said that it was best to go through the Gombori Pass: the road has serpentines, but of good quality.
Everything is just like that. And also, very beautiful.
We were driving, aahing and aahing, and accidentally saw a sign to the viewpoint.
We stopped and unplannedly went uphill. There is very little walking there, in fact.
The views are amazing. In the distance you can see a small piece of the Alazani Valley, and the rest is endless mountains.
Wine
The calling card, soul and heart of Kakheti is, of course, wine!
The climate in Kakheti is hot and dry, ideal for growing grapes. Therefore, vineyards can be found absolutely everywhere. And old qvevri are even on the ruins of monasteries.
If you don’t know what qvevri is, I’ll try to briefly explain the Kakheti wine-making technology.
Traditionally, grapes are crushed along with seeds, skins and even twigs (previously - with feet, but now no one does this anymore, although when we went to Kakheti, the hope of feeling like Celentano glimmered in our souls).
All this is poured into qvevri - large (or even huge) ceramic jugs dug into the ground. The future wine is stored there and ferments for several months. Then the liquid is drained and sent for storage, the cake goes to chacha.
Wines from the same grapes, but prepared using European and Kakheti technology, are strikingly different. In all respects)
For example, Rkatsiteli, which we are used to buying in wine shops in Batumi, is a very light white wine, almost water in color, without a pronounced taste or sediment. But Rkatsiteli, according to the Kakheti technology, is not only different in smell - it’s color is reminiscent of the brown apple juice that my grandmother made at the dacha. I think many will easily imagine the shade) The taste and smell are also completely different - more tart, rich.
Be sure to try it. I still like European ones better, but to determine this, I had to come to Kakheti and try completely different wines, homemade, factory-made, white, red, Kakheti and European)
There really is something to do and see in Kakheti.
For example, David-Goreji, Alaverdi, Ikalto, Ujarma.
I listed a very small part - but we simply didn’t need more.
How to get to Kakheti
- The best way is with your own or rented car.
- An excellent option is a ready-made tour, because you can wholeheartedly taste wine with the whole group along the entire route)
- An option similar to the previous one is to negotiate with a taxi driver to take you around.
- Minibuses/buses. The option is budget-friendly, but not very convenient and reliable - allow more time.
- There should be a train from Tbilisi to Telavi. But unfortunately, I don’t know anything about the schedule, the quality of the cars and other details.
This is probably all I have. Be sure to come to Kakheti! Ciao!
