Kakheti is a land of winemaking

Georgia, like any other country, is divided into regions. Kakheti is one of them. This region is famous for its wines. While traveling through Kakheti, you'll discover the incredibly romantic city of love – Sighnaghi. Sighnaghi offers breathtaking views of the Alazani Valley.

You'll also learn about Georgian culture, its customs, and national holidays, and you can even participate in them. Many interesting, new, unusual, and unexplored experiences await you. For wine lovers, Kakheti is the perfect destination. You can taste Kakhetian wines in every village. The key is to avoid overindulging and set out on your sightseeing journey with a fresh mind.

Sights of Kakheti

Eastern Georgia is famous not only for its winemaking but also for its natural and architectural monuments. Kakheti is renowned for its most delicious dishes in all of Georgia. If you travel here in September, you'll be lucky enough to attend the local grape harvest festival, called Rtveli. Kakheti offers more than just the cities of Telavi and Sighnaghi. It boasts numerous sites with fascinating histories, picturesque landscapes, and landmarks, as well as a vast number of ancient monasteries and churches.

If you decide to visit Kakheti, you can book a tour with a local tour company. It's safe and affordable. Independent travelers will also have no problem exploring the region's beauty, as all the sights in Kakheti are located close to one another.

Kakheti's most famous tourist attractions

Chateau Mere is a Georgian hotel. Its main feature is its location in an ancient castle. This is a very interesting interior design, and in good weather, it offers stunning views of the Caucasus Mountains and the Alazani Valley. The hotel is also unique in that it produces its own wine, which is sold not only in the hotel but throughout Georgia. Incidentally, this is the first "château" hotel. Such ideas had never been explored before. Other "châteaux" are simply wineries. It also offers delicious cuisine with an unusual presentation.

Old and New Shuamta are two monasteries located apart from each other. Shuamta means "among the mountains," although there are no mountains in the surrounding area.

New Shuamta is a convent. The temple is open to visitors, although the main gate is always closed. After restoration, a fresco depicting the creator of this temple, Tinatin, was discovered and partially restored. She was the queen of Kakheti.

Old Shuamta was the first Shuamta and the only one until the New Shuamta was built. The monastery was built in the 5th century. Three medieval churches stand on the grounds of Old Shuamta. They are built close to each other (the Basilica, the Large Domed Church, and the Small Domed Church).

Telavi is the capital of Kakheti, located 70 km from Tbilisi. This resort town borders a wild forest. Here you can visit the Batonis-Tsikhe Fortress, the Telavi Platon, Erekle II Avenue, Nadikvari Park, the Royal Palace, and the local market. The city has a well-developed industrial sector.

Thanks to the mild climate, you can visit here any time of year and be satisfied. Surrounding the city, you'll see vast expanses of vineyards and admire the mighty and beautiful Alazani River.

Tsinandali is a village located northeast of Telavi. It is famous for its estate, which belonged to the Chavchavadze family. This family played a significant role in Russia's relations with Georgia.

This is the birthplace of Tsinandali white wine. It is unique in every way and was made according to a special recipe. The garden next to the estate is truly wild and natural, featuring a labyrinth and unusual plant species.

Shumi Winery is a wine company, the leading wine supplier in Georgia, founded by the Chavchavadze family. Shumi means "high-quality undiluted wine." Shumi grows its own grapes for wine production. The grapes are unique, which distinguishes Shumi from other producers. The winery also handles everything in-house, from cultivating the vineyards to bottling the wine. The winery borders the Chavchavadze Museum.

The Chavchavadze Estate is one of the main attractions of Kakheti. Built in the early 1820s, it was a vibrant center of Georgian social life for a long time. Many famous figures have visited it. It was here that the famous Russian writer Alexander Griboyedov met Princess Nina Chavchavadze, who later became his wife.

Ikalto is a small monastery complex, a monument of Georgian architecture. It is one of the first monasteries in Georgia. Three churches stand on its grounds.

During the reign of King David the Builder, the Church of the Assumption was built here. Next to it, the famous Academy was built, where Shota Rustaveli himself studied. Many ruined buildings remain here.

Alaverdi Cathedral is the Cathedral of Saint George. At 50 meters tall, it is the second tallest in Georgia. The church is surrounded by fortified walls. This medieval structure is one of the main landmarks not only in Kakheti but in Georgia as a whole.

The cathedral has suffered numerous earthquakes but has been restored. The cathedral's name refers to the Alvan Plain, where it stands.

Gremi Castle is one of the most famous castles in Georgia. Gremi was once the capital of Kakheti. Now it's a deserted, abandoned town. The only things of interest here are the Church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel and the bell tower. In fact, that's all that remains of the town.

The monuments of Gremi have been nominated for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In the northern Alazani Valley, nestled among high, mighty mountains and thickets of trees, lies Lake Lopota. In the early 19th century, perfume was created here from the roses grown around the lake. The artificial lake is now famous for its resort. The land around it has been privatized, and public access is no longer permitted. The lake offers picturesque views, reflecting the mountains and lush greenery.

The Nekresi monastery complex is located on a mountain; to reach it, you need to climb 1.5 kilometers uphill. This location allows you to see the Alazani Valley in all its beauty. One of the oldest buildings is the Church of St. John the Baptist, built in the 4th century.

In the 8th century, another monastery, the Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was built nearby. While the Church of St. John the Baptist is quite ancient and looks like an empty building of rough-hewn stone from the inside, the Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary is more modern. Here, you'll see frescoes on the walls.

The town of Kvareli is located in the Alazani Valley in eastern Georgia. It is a fairly large settlement. Among the notable places to visit is the Kvareli Fortress, located in the very center of the town.

The Khareba Wine Tunnel is a tunnel cut into the rock, now housing a wine shop. The Chavchavadze House has an unusual architectural design. It is snow-white and resembles a scroll of paper. Many significant events took place here in its time.

In Kakheti lies the town of Sighnaghi, a romantic and cozy corner reminiscent of Italy. Here, the roofs are covered with red tiles, the streets are cobblestoned, and lined with antique lanterns.

Sighnaghi is a city of love. It has a 24-hour civil registry office. Here, the great artist Niko Pirosmani presented "a million scarlet roses" to a French actress. Sighnaghi is also home to a wine shop, "Pheasant's Tears," one of the leading in Georgia. You can taste wine and dine here.

Two kilometers from Sighnaghi stands Bodbe Monastery, sacred to all of Georgia. It is the resting place of Saint Nino, who brought Georgia to Orthodoxy. A holy spring flows within the church grounds, said to cleanse one of sins. To reach it, you'll have to climb 647 steps. From here, breathtaking views of the Alazani Valley open up.

The David Gareji monastery complex stretches along the border with Azerbaijan. It was built in the 6th century on the territory of Georgia and Azerbaijan. The Lavra of David and Tetri-Udabno monasteries are located here. The interiors of the monastery's churches and caves are covered in frescoes.

Visiting them is difficult, as Georgia and Azerbaijan have long been unable to reach an agreement on the border. Azerbaijani border guards do not allow tourists into the caves. Those who cannot bear children come here to pray. This sacred site helps parents become parents.

Akhtala is Georgia's only and very popular mud resort. Volcanic mud rises from the earth's depths and has healing properties. It cures many ailments. People here take mud baths and simply rub themselves with the mud. There are also mineral springs here.

Not far from Sighnaghi is the village of Mirzani. Here, Niko Pirosmani (a talented and renowned artist) built a house. Niko depicted the life, everyday life, and beauty of Georgia in his paintings. This house was built with the artist's modest savings and was built for his sister. Today, it houses a museum named after him, displaying the artist's works and personal belongings.

A picturesque place of Georgian antiquity is located in the village of Velistsikhe. A large house houses the Numisi Wine Museum. The first room, the entrance hall, contains clothing and household items. The next room is dedicated to winemaking. There is also a cellar for storing wine, discovered much later. All the items can be handled and examined up close. On the second floor are musical instruments, typewriters, and tables.

In 1981, a museum dedicated to Georgian actress Nato Vachnadze was opened in the family home. The actress was an enigmatic figure, very beautiful and talented. She died under strange circumstances in a plane crash. The museum displays all of her personal belongings, household items, paintings, documents, books, and even films featuring her. Rumor has it that Beria himself was in love with Nato Vachnadze, but he never achieved her favor, and the actress's death is linked to these events.

Georgia is renowned for its picturesque nature, where the human eye is endlessly delighted by the surrounding landscapes. In eastern Georgia, you'll be lucky enough to visit national parks.

Vashlovani

In 1935, the Vashlovani Nature Reserve, later a national park, was founded on the border with Azerbaijan. Hundreds of plant species, including endemic ones, grow here. Here you'll see karst caves, canyons, and valleys. Come here for a few days and experience a "wild" vacation. You'll feel completely at one with nature. Don't forget to register with the park administration. The park has excellent tourist infrastructure. Entry to the park is subject to a fee, as is overnight accommodation.

Lagodekhi

Lagodekhi National Park is a relatively new park, like Vashlovani, located on the border with Azerbaijan. It is a favorite destination for travelers. Here you'll see waterfalls, glacial lakes, and lush and interesting vegetation. Here, high mountains stand alongside tropical forests and alpine meadows.

The park also includes the enormous and abandoned Machi Fortress. Lagodekhi is remarkable for its complete absence from the natural landscape of Kakheti. It seems as if it were plucked from another part of the planet and placed here. You can visit the park for free and stay overnight nearby.

Georgia is distinguished from other countries by its very friendly and welcoming people, but don't overdo it. Avoid engaging in ethnic conversations or being rude to people, especially making jokes about religion or nationality. When tasting wine, you need to maintain self-control and keep your temper under control.

Traveling through Kakheti, you'll visit numerous ancient monasteries while enjoying the breathtaking scenery. Kakheti will recharge you with positive energy. Plan your vacation, choose your transportation, and book your hotels in advance.

Read also

• Tsinandali: What to See in the Estate and Wine Park
• Telavi: What to See and Do in the Capital of Kakheti