Axum Wine Carvings & Tedj Tasting

See 4th-century stone carvings at Axum that prove wine was made here before most Old World regions. The great obelisk has grape vine carvings. Emperor Ezana (4th century) mentions wine in his stele. Then taste tedj - Ethiopian honey wine made with gesho leaves, a 3,000-year-old tradition. This is wine history predating France, Spain, and even much of Italy.

Insider tips

• Hire a local guide who knows the specific obelisks with wine carvings

• Tedj houses (tej bet) are marked with an upside-down bottle above the door

• The stelae field is a UNESCO site - combine wine history with world heritage

• Traditional tedj is served in round-bottomed flasks called berele