Relax tour with wine in Kakheti

Sights of Kakheti

Kakheti is not only a land of vineyards and hospitality, but also a place where history and nature coexist. Here you can see monasteries carved into the rocks, ancient defensive towers, and multicolored hills reminiscent of a painting.

Monastery among sandstones

David Gareji Lavra is an ancient monastery complex founded in the 17th century by Saint David, one of the Assyrian monks. Together with his disciples, he carved the first cells in the rock, laying the foundation for a huge complex consisting of XNUMX monasteries. Today, some of these monasteries are located on the territory of Azerbaijan, since the border between the countries was drawn right through this ancient complex.

The monastery is not like the usual Orthodox churches. Everything here seems to merge with nature: cells carved into the rock, a stone wall protecting the courtyard, and a small fortress standing on a hill. One of the churches contains the relics of St. David, and the narrow corridors inside the rock allow you to feel the spirit of antiquity.

It is definitely worth climbing to the top platform of the monastery, from where a view of the rainbow hills opens up. These layered mountains shimmer with shades of red, yellow and white. Such an unusual pattern was created by nature itself - here sandstone, clay and sea salt alternate, forming a fantastic landscape.

Sighnaghi – the city of love

Sighnaghi is a picturesque town, which is called the Georgian San Marino. It seems to float above the Alazani Valley, surrounded by fortress walls and towers. This place is imbued with romance: narrow streets, ancient houses with carved balconies and legends about great love. There is a 24-hour registry office here, where you can get married in a few minutes - even for tourists!

Sighnaghi is not only romantic stories, but also holy places full of spiritual power. One of such holy places is the Bodbe Monastery, located just a few kilometers from Sighnaghi. This place was founded in the 6th century, on the site where, according to legend, Saint Nino died - the main patroness of Georgia, who brought Christianity to this country. The monastery, steeped in history, has survived many centuries, and although a significant part of its buildings were rebuilt in the 19th century, the spirit of antiquity and holiness still hovers here.

The Cathedral of St. George occupies a special place in the monastery. Its walls contain vivid frescoes with biblical scenes, telling about the lives of saints and the most important moments of Christian history. These paintings seem to come to life when you stand in front of them and delve into every detail.

But perhaps the monastery's greatest treasure is the relics of Saint Nino, which rest here. The relics, as locals say, have miraculous powers. People come here to ask for help or a blessing, and many are sure that prayers said at her tomb will certainly be heard. 

Alaverdi Monastery – a touch of eternity

Somewhere in the picturesque expanses of Georgia, twenty kilometers from Telavi, lies the Alvan Plain. It is here, among the majestic mountain landscapes, that the Alaverdi Monastery has stood for over a thousand years – a symbol of spiritual strength and unshakable faith.

The monastery's history dates back to the 6th century. It was founded by one of the Assyrian Fathers, a monk-preacher who brought Christianity to Georgia. Initially, it was a small hermitage, a secluded place for prayer and reflection. But in the 11th century, the Kakhetian king Kvirike III ordered a majestic cathedral to be built here. Its walls have survived centuries - wars, earthquakes, destruction and restoration. If you look closely, you can see that the lower part of the temple is made of massive stones, and the upper part is made of brick. This is a reminder of the restorations of the 18th century, when the temple was raised from the ruins.

The history of Alaverdi is full of not only spiritual feats, but also amazing events. According to one legend, during the Muslim invasions, the monks together with the locals came up with a clever way to protect themselves. They lined the monastery walls with pig carcasses. The invaders, who did not want to defile themselves with contact with unclean animals, retreated. Thus, the monastery was saved thanks to ingenuity and weapons unexpected for holy places.

Telavi: a small town with a big history

Telavi is a town where you can feel the spirit of Georgia, its history and traditions. Today it is a quiet place, but once it was the capital of Kakheti, an important center of the whole country. In the 17th century, the Georgian king Erekle II lived and ruled here, and perhaps it was thanks to him that the city gained its importance. Today Telavi is not only a place worth visiting, but also a city that can be easily walked around in one day. But during this time you can see many interesting things.

If you come to Telavi, the first thing you should pay attention to is the famous sycamore. This tree is striking in its size: it reaches a height of 45 meters, and the trunk is 12 meters in circumference. Imagine this huge tree - it seems to have been standing here for centuries, like a silent witness of history.

Telavi is also remembered by many thanks to the film "Mimino". Who would have thought that this city would become the stage for the famous scene from the film, where the main character, Valiko, tries to call Telavi, but due to a mistake by the operator, ends up on the line with a Georgian Jew in Tel Aviv. This scene is full of humor, and it is this that made Telavi familiar to everyone who watched this film.

The main attraction of the city is the Batonis-Tsikhe fortress. It was built in the 17th-18th centuries to protect the residence of the king of Kakheti. The powerful stone walls with round towers are still preserved, and you can walk around the territory. Inside the fortress there is an oriental-style palace, where you can see the recreated royal chambers and throne room. There is also a historical museum with archaeological finds, ancient weapons and an art gallery. Every corner of the fortress is imbued with history, and it will tell you about how the royals lived here.

Wineries of Kakheti: the taste of the sun in a glass

Kakheti and wine are inseparable concepts. There are hundreds of wineries in this region, from huge factories to small family businesses. Wherever you stop, you will definitely be offered a glass of homemade wine and told the story of its creation.

One of the most famous places is the Khareba winery. Its peculiarity is that wine is stored in tunnels cut into the rock. Here you can not only taste the drink, but also take part in a master class on making khinkali or khachapuri.

Another large plant is Shumi in the village of Tsinandali. This is not just a winery, but a whole museum where you can learn how wine was made hundreds of years ago and try unique varieties. And if you want something more cozy, you can look into small family farms, where the tastings are conducted by the owners themselves.

It is definitely worth trying the local varieties: rich Saperavi, soft Kindzmarauli, light Rkatsiteli and the famous amber wine, which is made using the ancient technology of fermentation in qvevri - huge clay vessels buried in the ground.

What to try in Kakheti?

Besides wine, Kakheti is famous for its delicious and simple cuisine.

• Mtsvadi is a juicy shashlik cooked on a grape vine without marinade.
• Chakapuli is a tender stew of meat with wine and cherry plum.
• Kubdari is a pie with minced meat and spices.
• Shoti is a crispy bread of an unusual oblong shape.
• Pelamushi is a thick jelly made from grape juice.

And for fish lovers - stewed catfish or carp marinated with cilantro and vinegar, served cold.

Kakheti is a place where you can feel the breath of centuries, enjoy natural wonders and taste one of the best wines in the world. There is no fuss of big cities here, and people greet guests as if they have known them all their lives. If you are looking for a place where you can connect with history, nature and real Georgian traditions, then a tour to Kakheti with PVD Club is your ideal route.