7-Day Georgia Wine Discovery Tour

With one foot in Asia, another in Europe, Georgia is an ancient land with myths and legends stemming back to pre biblical times. Over the centuries, the rise and fall of many empires has left a civilization that is both fascinating and beguiling. 

Itinerary:

Day 1: Upon arrival to Tbilisi International Airport, meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel. Start the Tbilisi city tour to visit the Metekhi Church, and the Narikala Fortress-Cable car will take you to the top of mountain to the old ruins of Narikala fortress where you can enjoy the panorama of the city. A touch of the Old Tbilisi are the Sulfur Baths. Built in the 17th century, subterranean pavilions are topped by unique the red brick domes with steam from the hot springs streaming from their tops, giving a magical atmosphere to this historic area of old homes and interesting shops. 

Day 2: Travel to the town of love, Sighnaghi, nestled inside the protective wall on top of a cliff and overlooking the valley of Alazani River. After a walking tour you’ll pay a visit to Pheasant’s Tears Winery to learn more about the Georgian traditional way of winemaking and taste the winery's exquisite wines.

Continue to a farmer’s cellar-winery where you can observe the traditional wine making equipment and also take part in 'Shoti' Georgian bread baking and 'Churchkhela' Georgian sweet making. You will enjoy lunch here.

In the afternoon, visit the19th century estate of the Chavchavadze family. It used to be a summer residence of the family and hosted many poetic meetings of Georgian elite. Take a walk in the gardens, visit the mansion and taste the wines in the 19th century winery.

Overnight at Mosmieri Winery in Kisiskhevi village where you’ll have a wine and cheese tasting before dinner.

Day 3: This morning’s visit is to Alaverdi cathedral, the highest church of Georgia for many centuries. Travel to Twin’s Family Winery to see a wonderful museum of wine where you’ll get an explanation of wine preparation from harvest to its final stage. 

Continue on to Babaneuri winery which produces Biodynamic wines from indigenous grapes of Georgia. Meet the head wine specialist of the winery to talk more in depth about their wines. 

Then visit the ancient capital of Kakheti province Gremi – now a museum and archeological site.

In the afternoon, continue to Nekresi Monastery – the oldest church of Georgia (4th century AD) before the final stop at Vazisubani Chateau where you’ll take a tour of the winery and rest for the night. 

Day 4: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before an excursion to Mtskheta - the first capital city of Georgia, which is on the list of UNESCO Cultural Heritage Monuments. The city is located at the confluence of two rivers - Mtkvari and Aragvi. Founded in the second half of the first millennium BC, at the same time as Eastern Georgia Kingdom-Iberia. It was a capital city until the ruler Vakhtang Gorgasali decided to move the capital to Tbilisi. 

Continue on to a cave town in Uplistsikhe – one of the towns listed on the Great Silk Road. Complete the day travelling to Ateni village, a micro-zone of Kartli province vines where we’ll taste wines and stay overnight.

Day 5: Tour starts at 9:30am to get at Stalin House-Museum on time. See the original house where Stalin was born, the museum and the bullet-proof carriage. 

Continue to Iago’s family winery to learn more about his winemaking technology, taste wines and enjoy a home-cooked lunch.

Transfer to Kazbegi via Cross Pass. En route make a photo stop at Ananuri Fort before arriving at breathtaking Kazbegi and relax at a design hotel. Rooms face the picturesque Mt. Kazbegi (5047m) and you can take a moment to embrace the view.

Enjoy dinner with a local family where you will learn how to prepare traditional dumplings Khinkali and taste family made Chacha – firewater.

Day 6: Drive up to Gergeti Church with marvellous views of the surrounding mountains as well as Kazbegi settlement. Continue to Mukhrani Winery which is famous for its award-winning wines. Mukhrani is a chateau which used to be a palace of local noble family. Now it is a beautiful winery with vineyards around. Take a wine tour and taste their famous wines. Before lunch you will learn how traditional Khachapuri is made.

In the afternoon, return to Tbilisi. Upon arrival back to the city, visit the stunning golden treasury of National History Museum with the gold from pre-Christian times with the museum’s specialist guide.

Farewell final dinner is at one of the top fine dining restaurants of Tbilisi.

Day 7: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transfer to Tbilisi International Airport for onward departure flight.