9-day wine tour Georgia – the oldest wine country in the world
Most important features
- 9 DAYS – 8 NIGHTS
- Visited countries: Georgia
Short introduction
During this 9-day wine tour you will discover the most important wine region of Georgia, Kakheti. It is considered to be the center of viticulture and winemaking in this ancient wine country. Thanks to the favorable climate, fertile soils and the green valleys of this region, this region has a number of added values for wine production. Together with your guide, you will travel to this traditional region and visit six vineyards in different towns and villages. You will visit wine estates, taste traditional wines called “Kvevri”, but also wines with grapes of more European origin, including white, red and black wines made from traditional grape varieties. In addition to this interesting wine hatch, you’ll also discover some of the must-sees among the country’s cultural attractions including some beautiful monastery complexes and Mtskheta, a city museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Highlights
- Glass of wine as a welcome drink in a rooftop bar
- 6 wine tastings
- 1 night in a wine hotel
- Discover the Georgian capital Tbilisi
- Take photos at David Gareja, Bodbe, Ikalto Monastery and Alaverdi Monastery – all unique monastic complexes
- See Mtskheta, a city museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Program
DAY 1 – DEPARTURE TO GEORGIA
Late tonight you will take your flight to Georgia, where you will arrive in the early morning.
DAY 2 – ARRIVAL TBILISI – GEORGIA (D)
Today, early in the morning, you will arrive at the largest city in Georgia, Tbilisi. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your local guide and then offered a transfer from the airport to your hotel in the beautiful capital of Georgia. After check-in at your hotel, you can rest or go straight out to explore the city, enjoy the local atmosphere, the sights and perhaps a first local snack. After this you are expected in one of the most beautiful rooftop bars in the city overlooking the centre. Then you are expected for dinner in a wine restaurant.
Overnight.
DAY 3 – DISCOVER THE OLD TBILISI (B)
After breakfast, today you will discover the Georgian capital Tbilisi, especially the “old town”. You will walk the cobbled streets, see the beautiful houses with porches and wooden balconies and much more. Afterward, continue to the Metekhi Church, the former residence of several Georgian kings. Then you walk through the Abanotubani or “Bath district”, where many sulfur baths are located. Then it is time to take a rest and enjoy a local tasty dish combined with a local wine tasting experience. After this, continue to the Narikala Fortress, one of the oldest buildings in Tbilisi. You will also visit the Sioni Cathedral from the 5th – 6th centuries, as well as the Anchiskhati Basilica, which dates from the 6th century.
Overnight.
DAY 4 – TBILISI – DAVID GAREJA – BODBE – SIGNAGI (B)
After breakfast, leave the capital Tbilisi and travel towards David Gareja, an ancient monastery complex consisting of 19 monasteries and beautiful caves covered with ancient frescoes. You will walk across the complex and to David Gareja’s cave to visit the Lavra Monastery, which dates back to the 6th century. Next, head to Bodbe, a 9th-century monastery complex considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Georgia. Here you will discover the grave of Saint Nino. You will be guided through all of these great sites so you can learn more about their history and culture.
Overnight.
DAY 5 – SIGNAGI – VELISTSIKHE – KVARELI (B)
Today you wake up in Signagi and visit a market where you can buy local fruits, homemade wine, special Georgian vodka called “Chacha”, cheese, bread, Georgian sweets called “churchkhela” and other food items. After the wine tasting in Signagi, surrounded by an 18th-century wall and 23 defences, you will continue to a beautiful wine estate, one of the foremost in Georgia to taste different traditional wines. The journey continues to the village of Velistsikhe, where you will discover a wine museum. This is the oldest wine cellar in the Kakheti region and dates back to the 16th century. Afterwards, travel to Kvareli to visit another beautiful wine estate where you will have a wine tasting and tour.
Overnight in a wine hotel.
DAY 6 – DISCOVER KAKHETI, GEORGIA’S MAIN WINE REGION (B)
After breakfast, depart for Kakheti, Georgia’s main wine region. Here you will visit the royal residence and Gremi Castle, which dates back to the 16th century. This is the only architectural monument preserved from the time when this city was the capital of the Kakheti kingdom. Then you travel further to the village of Napareuli, where you visit a wine estate and the associated museum. Here you can see and learn how the traditional winemaking process in this region went and is contemporary. Then you will be offered a wine tasting with traditional wines in the cellar and the museum. After this you will visit the Ikalto Monastery and the Alaverdi Monastery, founded in the 11th century. Formerly, the Alaverdi village was a pagan religious center dedicated to the moon.
Overnight.
DAY 7 – EXPLORE THE OLD TOWN MTSKHETA (B)
Today, after breakfast, is all about exploring Mtskheta, a city museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first stop is at Svetitskhoveli, the cathedral from the 11th century. Then you will visit the 6th century Jvari Monastery. The tour then takes you to Mukhrani Castle with a winery in it, also the former royal residence in the 19th century. Here you will have the opportunity to discover the history and legends of the royal families of Georgia, as well as a visit to the winery and vineyards to taste delicious wine.
Overnight.
DAY 8 – TBILISI (B)
After breakfast, stroll through the streets of the Georgian capital, taste some delicious dishes and buy some last-minute souvenirs before you unfortunately have to pack your bags again. Depending on your flight times, a driver will take you from the hotel to the airport or extend your trip to Armenia, the other wine country in this beautiful wine region. Ask us about the possibilities for a non-binding customized quote.
DAY 9 – BACK HOME
Today you will arrive home after a wonderful wine tour in Georgia. End of this wine tour.
Included / Excluded
What’s included / not included in this wine tour ?
Included
- 6 wine tastings and wine cellar visits
- International flights
- Transfer airport – hotel – airport
- 6 nights in a standard double room in good quality hotels
- Meals where indicated (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
- Private transportation as described in the program
- Experienced English-speaking guide, other languages on request
- Entrance fees to the listed sights
Excluded
- Specialized wine guide
- Single room surcharge
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks unless explicitly stated
- Meals other than stated in the program (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
- Tips
- Cancellation and travel insurance (we can arrange this for you if desired)
- Taxes to be paid locally, such as the tourist tax
- Everything that is not reported under the heading including
Optional:
Request a quote for this wine tour and we can work with you to determine what will and will not be included. The choice is yours.
All flights (international and domestic), hotels and rental car are always subject to availability until the time of final booking with signing the sales file. The booking is made and recorded after receipt of the deposit on our bank account.
Prices are always subject to change and are signed up to the sales file without prior notice and / or evidence. The reasons, which are not exhaustive, can be seasonality and availability.
